Christ Un-barred - Sunday Service - Our Story is His Story Part 2

♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ It is always a perfect time to worship our Savior, but when we get to come together as a family, collectively, and worship Him together, it is such a beautiful moment.

Would you guys agree? Yes. Amen, guys. My name is Joseph, and it is my honor to welcome you to another Sunday service here at House of Rest Church. If this is your first time here, guys, we're so glad you guys decided to come. to join us we're gonna get right back into our time of worship and after worship we're gonna get back into our sermon series titled his story is our story and I hope you guys enjoy worthy of all the praise we can ever be worthy of every breath we could ever breathe we live for you Jesus the name above every other name Jesus the only one who could ever save worthy of every breath we could ever breathe we live for you holy there is no one like you there is none beside you open up my eyes in wonder show me who you are and fill me with your heart and lead me in your love to those around me worthy of every song we could ever sing worthy of all the praise we could ever bring worthy of every breath we could ever breathe we live for you Jesus the name above every other name Jesus the only one who could ever save worthy of every breath we could ever breathe we live for you oh we live for you Jesus holy there is no one like you there is none beside you open up my eyes in wonder

show me who you are and fill me with your heart and lead me in your love to those around me holy there is no one like you there is none beside you open up my eyes in wonder show me who you are and fill me with your heart and lead me in your love to those around me I will build my life upon your love it is a firm foundation I will put my trust in you alone and I will not be shaken I will build my life upon your love it is a firm foundation I will put my trust in you alone and I will not be shaken I will build my life upon your love it is a firm foundation There is a firm foundation Only, there is no one like you There is none beside you Open up my eyes in wonder Show me who you are and fill me With your heart and feed me Giving your love to those around me Only, there is no one like you There is none beside you Open up my eyes in wonder Show me who you are and fill me With your heart and feed me Giving your love to those around me

I will build my life upon your love It is a firm foundation I will put my trust in you alone And God will not be shaken Yes, Lord, you're worthy, precious Father We adore you, Lord You're so glorious Worthy Lord Worthy is the Lamb who was slain Holy, holy is He Sing a new song to Him who sits on Heaven's mercy seat Worthy is the Lamb who was slain Holy, holy is He Sing a new song to Him who sits on Heaven's mercy seat Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty Who was and is and is to come With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings You are my everything and I will adore you I'll adore you Who is that? Clothed in rainbows of living color Ashes of lightning, rose of thunder Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be To you the only wise King Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty Who was and is and is to come With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings You are my everything and I will adore you

I'll adore you Filled with wonder Awestruck wonder At the mention of your name Jesus, your name is power Breath of living water Such a marvelous mystery Ooh, ooh, ooh How do you say holy? Holy, holy, holy To the Lord God Almighty He was and is and is to come In all creation I see Praise to the King of Kings You are my everything And I will adore you Ooh, ooh, ooh I'll adore you Ooh, ooh, ooh I'll adore you Thank you Lord We adore you Heavenly Father Praise you Can we just give him all the glory and honor that he deserves? Thank you Jesus I believe that is it for today So we're going to take about 30 seconds to meet and greet So don't forget to say hi to Abraham He's back from Texas Before I spoke a word

You were singing over me You have been so, so good to me Before I took a breath You breathed your life in me You have been so, so kind to me Overwhelming, never-ending Reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down But still I'm found Leave the 99 I could earn it I don't deserve it Still you give yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending Reckless love of God I was your foe Still your love fought for me You have been so, so good to me When I found out what You paid it all for me You have been so, so kind to me Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down, finds still I'm found, leaves and lies behind I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it, still You give Yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Yeah No shadow You won't light up, mountain You won't climb up, coming after me There's no wall You won't kick down, fly You won't tear down, coming after me No shadow You won't light up, mountain You won't climb up, coming after me There's no wall You won't kick down, fly You won't tear down, coming after me There's no shadow You won't light up, mountain You won't climb up, coming after me There's no wall You won't kick down, fly You won't tear down, coming after me

There's no shadow You won't light up, mountain You won't climb up, coming after me There's no wall You won't kick down, fly You won't tear down, coming after me Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down, finds still I'm found, leaves and lies behind I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it, still You give Yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Yeah Amen. Usually when we do communion, we do it toward the end, but because of baptisms, we're going to do communion right now. Does everyone have the bread and the juice? If not, let us know. Anybody that is teaching and staff, if they ask after service, let them know. We'll have a special one just for them up here in the front. That way nobody misses out if they're teaching or ushering over there on that side. But if you don't have the juice and the bread, raise your hand, please, and we can make sure you have some. They don't have it up here. If we could all please stand. We have communion once a month because it's important, because this is what Jesus says to do. He says to do it in remembrance of Him, and we need to follow that. Many of us, we celebrate what you call Easter and Christmas, and that's fine, that's great, but this is the one thing that Jesus says to do this to remember Him. And this is why it's important. So by holding the bread in your hand, I'm going to read the scripture in Luke 22 in verse 19. In the words of Jesus, it says, he took bread, and when he had given them thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Lord God, before we take this in the name of Jesus, we pray for a clear conscience. We pray, Lord God, that if we have offended you knowingly or unknowingly, Lord God, that we ask for forgiveness, Lord. We thank you so much for the opportunity to share communion with our church, with our church family. We give you all honor and all glory, Lord God.

Let this bread be broken, Lord God, as we eat it, in the same way your body was broken on the cross for us. Let it be a reminder of what you did on that cross. In Jesus' name, amen. Let's eat the bread together. Lord, we thank you. We can open the juice. He says, and likewise, the cup after they had eaten, saying, this cup that is poured out for you is a new covenant in my blood. Lord, I pray for this juice, Lord God. It's a symbol, but more than a symbol, it is a reminder of what it is that you shed on that cross for each and every one of us, that if it were not for that precious blood, there would be no way of forgiveness, Lord. But because you died for us, you shed your blood for us, that our sins will be washed away. And we do this in remembrance of you, so we never forget what it is that you did for us 2,000 years ago. Let it just be a reminder. Let it be an encouragement that everything that we do in word and deed, we do it in your name. The way we live, the way we operate, the way we're a husband or a wife, or the way we raise our children or talk to each other. Let it be a reminder, Lord, that this is the blood that you shed. We thank you. In Jesus' name, let's drink together. Amen. Lord, we thank you. We thank you, Lord. We thank you. In Jesus' name, amen.

We could all have a seat. We have also a baby dedication today, or two children, amen. So Steve and Mercedes Kennedy, the parents, the children can come up if we can have Pastor Angel, Diana, Sharon, Pastor Al, Lydia, if we can come up. As they are coming, I want to remind you here as a church that baby dedications are important. We see this in accordance to what the word of God says to do, that we dedicate our children unto the Lord. This is important. That's fine. All right. I'll bring the children over here. Who's this? Avery. Asher. That's a cool name. Nino and Nina, amen. Frank Maria, hello. Thank you for being here. Amen. Hey, way over there. In Matthew 19, 13, 15, it says, then children were brought to him, to Jesus, that he might lay his hands on them and pray. And the disciples rebuked the people. But Jesus says, let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. And the Bible says that he laid his hands on them and went away. See, the family is a divine institution ordained by God from the beginning of time. The state of California doesn't institute family. The United States government doesn't institute family. God institutes family.

God institutes marriage. And a child is a blessing from God for the parents to care, provide, protect, and train them in the Lord. Every child is a blessing from God. It's beneficial when parents recognize their obligations and responsibilities and they make an effort to fulfill those obligations. Because the Lord just lets us borrow them. They belong to Him. And this is why we are all standing here before you all as witness to that promise that they are making to God for Asher and Avery. At House of Rest, we dedicate children rather than baptize them. Depending on how you were raised, maybe that's what you're accustomed to. But we see in the same way that Hannah in the Old Testament dedicated Samuel who became one of Israel's greatest prophets. We see that Joseph and Mary dedicated baby Jesus to the Lord according to Jewish custom. So by having a baby dedication, it closely follows the biblical pattern for children. This is what we see in the Bible. So in summary, this public acknowledgment is to recognize Asher and Avery are gift from God. And that Stephen and Mercedes, right? Have a spiritual responsibility to nurture them in Christ. So Steve, Mercedes, you have brought Asher and Avery before us today to publicly dedicate them to the Lord. So I have some questions for you and also for you that are coming to support them also. And please affirm your desire by answering each of them by saying we will. So the first question is, will you accept your God-given responsibility to raise Asher and Avery in a Christian home? Two, will you teach and discipline Asher and Avery rather than relying on the church or the school system to impart biblical knowledge and spiritual values? What I mean by this is it's up to you guys to teach them. We're here to support. That's it. But they should be learning from home. Do you do this? Number three, and this is a hard one that what comes out of your mouth, the Bible says, let your yes be yes and your no be no. Will you be a living example for them as they grow up on how to live as a believer in Christ? To the congregation, will you as a community of faith support Stephen and Mercedes as they raise Asher and Avery by showing them the love of Christ? So let's all stand and pray for this family and pray for the children.

We can have our leaders come. Amen. It's all about our heads. Lord God, I thank you so much, Lord God, for these children, first of all, because according to your word, Lord God, these are the future. I pray for Asher. I pray into his life and everything that you're going to do and everything you have, everything that you will have, all the blessings, Lord God, that you have bestowed upon this family in the name of Jesus. Let it be poured over him in the name of Jesus. I thank you so much for his life that maybe he doesn't understand, Lord God, but that a spark be lit inside of him. Lord God, that it is a fire from you with the name of Jesus. Lord God, that he will chase after you and love you. Lord God, for with adoration, Lord God, not only by mouth, but by heart and by his actions. Lord, I pray for Avery in the name of Jesus. Also, Lord God, that you bless this child, that you protect this child, that you put angels all around both of them in the name of Jesus. Lord God, that you watch over them in the home and later on in school and wherever it is that they go and the endeavors that they have, that the spiritual gifts that they have been given, that they be given to you. Lord God. That they grow up, Lord, knowing you give them visions and dreams of you. Give them peace. Be their comforter. Be all things for them, Lord. Let them always know that they can cry out to you in the good times and in the bad. I pray, Lord God, for the parents. I pray for the godparents. I pray for the entire family. I pray for the siblings in the name of Jesus. Lord God, for your spirit to be upon this home and never depart from it. We thank you, Lord God, in Jesus' mighty, mighty name. Amen. Glory to him. We have a... Huh? Oh. We have certificates. This is for Asher Kennedy and Avery Kennedy.

That top one's yours on the top. Yeah. And this one's yours. Thank you guys. Thank you. All right. Oh yeah. Children are blessing. The more the better. We want to grow this church. So keep having babies, guys. Amen. We have started a sermon series last week. And we're going to continue in that. But before we do that, so the next few weeks, you're going to hear testimonies from different people. But first of all, do you have your Bibles? This is where we're going to start. Hold your Bible up if you have it. And I want you to repeat after me. This is my Bible. It is God's word to me. My guide and my strength. I bring it ready to learn. I open it with faith in Jesus. I live it with courage. Without it, I grow weak. And with it, I grow strong. Today, I bring it, believe it, and obey it. In Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Before I call who's going to be speaking today, I want to share one Bible verse, and I will get out of the way. In Revelation chapter 12, verse 11, I'm just going to go ahead and read it so we can dive into this. This is a sermon series called Our Story is His Story with this verse. And they have conquered him, talking about Satan, by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony. For they love not their lives, even unto death. So with that, I'm really excited, because for the first time I have ever seen, Pastor Angel and Diana are both going to be sharing tonight, today, this morning. You guys ready? All right. Amen. So I'm excited to be able to share with you guys and open up a little bit more on a personal level, some of the things that we have gone through, some of the struggles. For some of you that are new here, you're going to hear our story. Some of you have, maybe we've had some conversations about some of these things. But I'm really excited to be able to have the opportunity to open up our family and open up our heart. And so with it, I know that there's going to be some very truth-telling moments. And at the same time, I know that there's going to be some sensitive conversations. So I want you to just imagine you putting a seat belt on for a second, because we're going to cover some things that are really important and that I know that everyone walks through and goes through in certain moments or certain points. But before we start, I want to open our Bibles to the book of Genesis chapter number two. Genesis chapter number two.

Go ahead and go to the bottom of verse 20. Genesis chapter two, verse 20. It's the first book of the Bible, second chapter in page number three. When you have it, say, I'm there. It says, but for Adam, there was not found a helper comparable to him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam and he slept. And he took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man, he made into a woman and he brought her to the man and adam said this is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh she shall be called woman because she was taken out of man therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and they shall become one flesh and they were both naked the man and his wife and were not ashamed the reason why i wanted to start this off really quick is this is a moment where adam sees his wife that god first gives him and in the hebrew text where it says this is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh it is not just words it's actually a song adam actually sings to her the first time he sees her and so i wanted to lay that down as we're going to get into what we're going to get to and you know when we were talking about this i i said you know this is not a subject that i want to hit alone and so god had given me a helper as well and so me and my wife are together going to share our story because we felt like it wouldn't be appropriate if i told my side but she wasn't able to tell hers my right ladies is there another side to the story mic check praise the lord everybody how are you doing one two so excited to be here with you i think we need a battery no okay that's it uh i think i'm saying something look but as we said we wanted to be able to share our story together and we wanted to take you guys on a journey and we wanted to just open up our family open up our marriage open up our home and so some of you are here and maybe you don't know us how many of you know us okay for those of you that don't my name is angel rocha and i'm diana and so we've been married going on 28 years this november we're walking into our 28th year yeah and it's funny because when we ask our parents when we tell my dad mom how long you guys been married for

oh did i just put dad in a spot yeah 63 years yeah so they will be like yeah we've been married 25 years and then they're like try 60. i'm like oh okay i have nothing to say my mom and dad they always tell us this oh you guys are puppies yes yes your marriage is still young they say it's still young so today we wanted to speak on this subject from broken pieces to purpose a marriage restored you know if you see us come in and you know and you see this guy who's just super buffed very fit extremely good looking very tall long hair wavy hair in the wind i don't like it when he does that why do you do that guys he's amazing he is one heck of a man he is an incredible father incredible husband but you just said all those things i said are not true basically i'm not saying that i'm just saying that you always you see this is why we're having to kind of this is our counseling session so we're on the couch you guys are the counselors for the next 40 minutes no you're amazing okay but no but what he's what he's trying to say is this look guys sometimes okay we've been married 27 years and going back in time you would have looked at us because we had you know two small kids angel and justin but you would look at us and you would think oh they they look good they're coming into church faithfully they're doing what they need to do faithfully and you would think you would have thought that everything was perfect right because what you see is not really the reality of what's really going on right so that's what he's trying to say here well because guys let's i'll kind of go back and i just want to you know put some things down that there was a season that we looked and we played the part You guys, I'm 48 years old, my wife's 21, and... 25. 25. 25. And we've been doing this a while. And through counseling of hundreds through the years, I don't know, over a thousand couples and people, one thing I have learned is there's his side, there's her side, and then there's the truth. Because reality is, his side, that's one perspective. Her side, that's another view.

And then right in the middle is what God sees. And that's the reality of the situation in every circumstance. And so we wanted to just pull behind the curtain, because behind closed doors, we were a mess. But we didn't know it. You know, I got to the church and I was 19 years old. I grew up in the church my whole life. I came to the Lord at the age of 12, received the baptism of the Holy Ghost at 12, started preaching and ministering under the freeways, and for a little over two years in Stockton, we would go out there and just minister and do street ministry until I was about 14 years of age. And then I walked away from the things of God from about 14 until 19. And that's when I walked into a church in Stockton. And that's the first time I got to see my wife. And let me just say this part before you jump in. My mom was there, and we sat in the very back seat of the church on Main Street in Stockton. And I was standing back there, and I don't say this proudly. This is embarrassing. But I was high and drunk. I don't remember anything that was said or that was going on. And I drove my mom to church, but I didn't want to tell her that I was drunk. This is like it was like an evening service, Sunday night. So I stopped and I said, hey, mom, I don't feel good. You want to drive? Because all I could think of was, dude, what is my dad going to do if something happens? And I get into a car accident. So my mom drives. We get to the church. I don't remember anything. We're sitting in the back. The service is about to begin.

And all of a sudden, the praise team comes from the back to the front. And there's this girl that's walking up to praise scene. And I tapped my mom. I said, mom. She said, yes. You see that girl? I said, yes. I'm going to marry that girl. And my mom looked at me. She goes, dude, you're engaged. True story. My mom's right there. And I said, mom, you ain't talking about that. I'm just telling you. We ain't worried about all that. We ain't worried about all that. True story. That was the first time I ever seen my wife. And when she was walking up in the church to go praise scene, I was a mess. But when that was the first time, when I seen her, that's exactly what I said. Mom, is that what I said? Thank you. That is exactly what I said. I won. Okay. No. So I grew up in church my whole life, right? Are we going by this? I'm just timing it. Okay.

And so my whole life, I've been told, you know, you're going to marry a preacher, you're going to marry a missionary. My whole life, that's what I heard, right? So how do missionaries from where I grew up, they were always wearing suits and slacks and a dress coat. So to me, I was told, you know, that's what you're going to marry, right? So I think this is so funny. In walks Angel, right? And if I remember, he was on like back there, like where Anthony, you know, Anthony Sandoval over there. That's like where Angel sat when he first walked in. And he came in looking like a gangster, right? Like the Dickies and everything. And for some reason that caught my attention. Right? That look caught my attention because my whole life, you know, you're going to marry a preacher. And so they have a certain way of looking. And then walks Angel and I'm like, dang, that looks different. I like that. Right? And so, but you know, I wasn't going to go say hi. I wasn't going to do that. So we just waited and then he started coming. So funny because a couple of weeks, you know, is that the day that you threw yourself at the altar? Yeah. Okay. That's the day. I had rug burn. I literally had rug burn on my face.

Yeah. Because I don't remember the service. I mean that. Like the service happened, preacher was preaching. And I don't remember anything that he said. So I can't say that the worship drew me in. I can't say the sermon grabbed my heart. I can't say any of that. But one statement he said, is he said, is anyone tired of your life and willing to give your life to Jesus, come up. And I was in the sinner's row, which is, you know, the background, I'm not calling you guys sinners. In that church, it was sinner's row. Not here, it's saint's row in the back. But I ran up to the front and I threw myself on the platform so much. I had rug burn on my face and I laid there. And I'll have to share, that'd be a different sermon, the experience that happened in there. But that was the first moment where we met. So I saw him do all that, right? I saw him repent. I saw him change his life. And then the next Sunday. Two weeks. Two weeks? Two Sundays. Two Sundays later, he walks in with a suit. And I was so sad.

I was so sad. And I thought I was trying to be impressive, right? Yeah, he walked in thinking he looked all good and I was like, no, no, like, man. Really? You never told me that. Wow. Still finding stuff out. Phil's still finding stuff out. And that's never gonna stop. As you age older, you're gonna find out brand new stuff about your spouse from years ago. It's gonna just naturally come up like right now. So if you see me in Dickies and a T-shirt next Sunday. No, no, I don't like that look anymore. No more. I grew up, no, no, no, no. No longer at 25? Yeah, no, no. I like the suits, I like the clean cut. The white shoes with the suit. Thank you. She dresses me. I do, I do. Sometimes. Most of the time. Sometimes, yeah. Most of the time. Guys, how many of you guys ever walk out and your wife's like, oh, I have your clothes ready for you?

And I'm like, okay, I guess that's what I gotta put on. And then nobody else, okay, well, I guess that's just us. And I just, yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. Yeah, yeah. But you guys, it hasn't always been laughter and fun. But I wanna share a quick story. This is the first conversation we had. And so she walks up to me, and this was probably now, maybe I've been at the church for about a month, maybe three weeks to a month. And she walks up to me and says, hey, I wanna introduce you to somebody. Well, because there was a friend that was interested in him. I hadn't said anything, I just caught my attention, that was really it. But a friend of mine was like, hey, who's that guy? So she jumped in and said, I'll talk to him first, right? I'll help you out, friend. I said I would introduce you. Yeah, but that was my chance to talk to him. So she comes and said, let me introduce you to a friend of mine. I said, sure. So she walks me over and she says, angel, this is so-and-so, so-and-so, this is angel, right? And so the friend's right here, Diana's right here, and she introduced me. And I said, oh, well, nice to meet you. I said, so what are you doing?

So how long you been here at the church and everything else? And the friend that she introduced me is standing right here. And I'm trying to get her in the conversation. And my question was, so how long have you been at the church? How long, you know? Yeah. You have family here? Yes, yes, we have family here. Until after about 10 minutes of her standing there, she realized nobody was talking to her. I felt so bad for her, yeah, yeah. Is her voice low? I felt so bad for her, yeah. Get in your preacher voice, get that preacher voice. Okay, all right, let's go. And that was our first conversation. The second time we had a youth event later, now months had come up, maybe two, three months going on. And I was faithful, I was serving, I was doing everything. And they invited me to a youth activity. And I lived in Tracy, she lived in Lathrop. She told me, now I know the real story. She said, oh, I don't have a ride. Angel, can you pick me up? And then I said, okay, yeah, cool, where are we going? And they said, well, we're gonna go to this place and all the young people and the youth leaders are all gonna be there.

And why are you telling that story, Dave? Because I'm telling on you, it's my turn. I lied, okay, I lied, go ahead. So I pick her up, we're going, and we go to Stockton. And I was like, do you know where we're going? Yeah, yeah, I know where we're going. Mate, turn right, turn right here. And I'm going, turn right, turn left. It is, we're going in circles, and all of a sudden, she was like, you know, I don't know where that's at. And I'm like, see, guys, for all of you younger people, there was a thing before GPS, right, that didn't exist. Maybe if you had MapQuest, but you had to print it out. And so but I didn't print it out because she said she knew where we were going and she's telling me go right go left for 45 minutes she's driving me around Stockton and then finally she goes I Don't know where it's at and we're in front of the Weber's town mall in Stockton. She's like, let's just go here Let's just see what you know, maybe we'll run into someone at the mall. So we go shopping. I Didn't know that where the youth activity was that she knew exactly was that and he was actually behind the mall So I'm trying the reason why I did that okay, let me just tell you okay see what happened was I Wanted to get to know who he was That's all that was So I just stole them for a bit just to hear what would come out of his mouth You know because when you begin to speak to somebody if you did if you're dating Guys have a have a deep conversation with them get to know who they are You understand so that's what I was doing at the time. Yes, I lied. Yes But that was my reasoning why I did that So anyone who's dating have a conversation and not just one have several have several conversations if you're dating No, you can kidnap him. It's fun. It's fun Yeah, but she did something in that time that really impressed me Because we went to Macy's and I was and we were we were out looking for clothes and I was looking at suit coats

And I seen a really nice suit coat, and I said hey, what do you think so? I'm trying on suit coats, and she's like man I really like that one and it was a really nice Alfani suit coat So I bought it and I looked at her and I said pick whatever you want Whatever you want and she was like no. I was like no seriously buy whatever you want. I got it. She goes no Come on. Bye, and she looked at me. She goes. I'm not taking anything from you Really I've never met a girl that didn't take anything Like it was just a dick. It was a different mindset, and I realized that she said my dad Then this is what she said. She said my dad taught me different Huh Check I Like that She brought she in the middle of that conversation. She brought dad in the picture, and I went okay Got it So we didn't I didn't buy her. I bought me something Well my dad had a set of rules right dads that are out here Make sure you have a set of rules with make sure you're talking to your daughters But their expectations are let them know treat them the way they're expected to be treated right that was what my father did for me So yeah, I was a little like no Good so yeah, talk to me about that any jewelry especially jewelry my dad would say don't you ever receive jewelry from a man? You're not that's not your husband Okay Okay And unless it's a wedding ring to be yeah, he didn't say that yeah So we ended up dating for a little over a year just a little over a year, and we got married at the time I was 22 she was 19 and We knew what we wanted, and this is what we wanted. I wanted ministry. She was the secretary of the church I wanted to be able to step in and do ministry so here We were in the church growing doing ministry. I was teaching Bible studies I was leading the young people at this point in the church where we were at when we when I arrived there was probably

about a hundred and twenty people and So it grown to about 175 200 at this point and now we went and so we get married and it was November 27th 1999 right before y2k For those of you that remember when the world was gonna end, you know 30 times ago during y2k and so we get married we step into into all that ministry. We're in love and Everything's starting and we loved each other Very young, but we loved each other, but I didn't understand how unprepared we were for life and marriage We weren't prepared for the challenges we were gonna face jumping into full-time ministry and The church that we were part of was growing and we were at that point of time We had already traveled together part of the ministry team to other countries and we were going and seeing a lot of things and it was a very challenging time and We talked about ministry We never talked about the expectations in life and in marriage We never talked about roles and responsibilities We never talked about the things that actually matter in day-to-day life We didn't know how to do that. I grew up in a two-parent home. She grew up in a two-parent home My mom took care of the finances Your dad took care of the finances. Yes. So what do you think was our first struggle? I Expected him to do him he expected me to do and we shipwrecked our credit. Yeah, at a very early stage in our marriage. Out of all pure stubbornness. Yeah. Because no, my mom does it, you're supposed to do it. No, my dad took care of us and led the family from the front, taking care of the finance, you do it.

And it was a silent fight that over the next, the first decade of our marriage began to deteriorate for one simple thing, pride. We didn't know how to communicate. We didn't know how to bring resolution. But we were taught ministry. We were taught how to preach. We were taught how to minister to the sick. We were taught about everything out there. We'll pay for, go to Bible college. We'll do this, pay travel, go conferences, speaking in front of hundreds or thousands. That was never an issue. But what we were not taught is what to do when you leave the platform and you're with your wife in the everyday things of life. Like communication, right? Because sometimes we don't wanna say something because we don't wanna hurt their feelings, right? And so we avoid saying it. And so we say, well, I don't wanna get into a fight so I'm just not gonna speak about it. But see, that's not the way to go about it. The way to go about it is talk about it in a calm manner, calmly, without offense. You pray before you're about to have a conversation, right? Because sometimes we do have to have tough conversations with our spouses, right? Uncomfortable ones. You guys been there?

Where you have the uncomfortable conversations that you don't know how they're gonna take it. And so I didn't know that before you do that, you have a father that's there, right? He's there, he's above him. We have Papa up there above him. We have a right to go directly to him sometimes when we can't go directly to them. You get it? So as we were growing in ministry and we traveling together, and then in the process of all of that, a couple of years go by and everything's going really well. Positions within the organization that we were a part of were opening up. Spanish ministry, English ministry, opportunities all over. Conferences, leadership conferences, youth conference, and all these different things that begin to open up. And several years into our marriage, what typically happens with a couple as they're growing and traveling, you're seeing the world, right? All of a sudden, what comes next? Kids. All of a sudden now, she's pregnant. And we have a wonderful son, Angel, who happened to be born on my birthday, literally. And I have never had a birthday since.

He hasn't. I'm not kidding. No joke. I don't know how to go about that. It's too late now, 24 years later. I don't want to have two different parties. No. But then shortly after that, we're in ministry. Now she's with Angel. We're there. The church is growing. Now the church is probably hitting about 400, four plus. Youth ministry's growing. Youth ministry, we're hitting about 60, 70, 80 kids, and it's growing. And then we had something else happen. And his name was Justin. Now we have two. And for all you young moms, you know, that have the splatter on your shoulders from carrying the kids. The throw up. The big diaper bags. And all the young people that were willing to hold the kids for us. But there was something I didn't catch. I didn't catch that now that I'm on the platform and ministering and preaching and traveling, and mom can't always go, that all of a sudden now I started realizing

that here I am walking off the platform in a church that was now going, and I'm getting invites everywhere, and she's in the office with the kids. And I didn't realize that there was a distance beginning to grow. I didn't see it. Yeah. I didn't realize it either. I didn't realize it. You know, scripture says it's the foxes that spoil the vine. Guys, you have to be very careful in your marriage that it is the small things that begin to creep in. It is the small compromises that begins to creep in. It is the small. all things in the relationships that begin to creep in. It's the, oh, usually you kiss before you say goodbye. Well, he made me mad last night, so I'm not gonna do it today. It's the, well, we used to hold hands all the time, but I'm just hot, your hands are always hot. I don't wanna, don't, don't. It's more of a bother than to hold hands. Don't hug me, I don't like being touched in front of people, don't hug me, don't hug me. Yeah. Or he didn't throw out the trash, so I'm not gonna pick up his socks, because he's supposed to throw out the trash.

I'm gonna show no love. Drip after drip after drip after drip. And it's never a stream, it's never a river, because if it's a river, you'd catch it. You'd see it. It's a slow drip. Very slow. That all of a sudden, the only time you have next to each other is maybe if you're watching something on TV, but you're not even conversating. All of a sudden, yo, let's go to the movies, but you're not even talking. At a restaurant, you're with people, but you're not sitting across from each other, looking at each other and having a conversation. And all of a sudden, it's, you know, me over here. Hey, babe, I'm in Guatemala. How's it going? Man, this is amazing. This happened and this happened and this happened. How's it over there? Oh, I'm here with the kids and, you know, the grass hadn't been cut, the yard's a mess. I know, babe, I know. When I get back, when I get back, and there was expectations. And remember those expectations we talked about in the beginning that we didn't talk about? We still didn't talk about yet. And now it's building.

And you think staying quiet, you're doing the right thing, right? And it's not. It's speaking about it. And, you know, I didn't know this at the time, but you know how important it is to have a couple that is about 10 years ahead of you in marriage? Guys, that is so important. We didn't have that until, you know, later on. We had that in ministry. Yes, we had it in ministry. But nobody ever spent the time with us on a personal level of life. Yes, of kids, of marriage. And let me say this too. We did, but we didn't pay attention to them because they weren't pastors. We had parents, but we didn't pay attention because my dad wasn't a pastor. And I remember, I remember this so clearly. Waking up in the morning before we were married, and it's five in the morning. My mom's making tacos for my dad to prepare him lunch. And I'm getting ready to go out, and my dad looks at me. I've been in the church. I just got there maybe a month. And my dad says, Mijo, what are you doing? I said, oh, I'm gonna go to the pastor's house. He said, for what? Oh, we're ripping his roof off, and we're gonna,

you know, prep it, and he needs some help, and he needs a bunch of young men, so we're all gonna go to his house, and I gotta be there at six in the morning. And I remember my dad looked at me, and it hurts me to this day. And he said, Mijo, I can't even get you to help me around the home. How come you're helping this man you just met a month ago? And I, and in my head, you know what I said? Dad, this is for the ministry. This is for God, Dad. You know, this is the stuff you don't understand, because you're not trying to go and preach and pastor. And I just brushed it off, and I went. I don't even know if you remember that, Dad. He said, I did. He said, yes, everybody. He said, yes. He remembers. And we had it, but we brushed it off. Yeah, we did. So there did come a time, guys, where, are we just gonna be straight out? Well, yeah, why, yeah. Right, okay. Go ahead. It was through that. We didn't know the disconnect had come. We didn't know how far we had drifted apart.

And guys, ministry is a beautiful thing when it's in the vein and in the stream of the spirit of God with character and stability, consistency, and exactly what you were saying, that safety net of mentors and elders around you. Ministry in Christianity is a beautiful thing. Ministry for the sake of goal-setting, ministry for the sake of the thrill is a horrible dragon. Being honest with you. Because the humanity. entity side of wanting to see and feel. If you've never been in front, I'm just being honest with you. If you've never been in front of a crowd of thousands of people, it is very easy to think you are something special. It is very easy when people are telling you you're special. It is really a buildup when all of a sudden, everyone and you've got a thousand people telling you you're special and you look across and I see my wife sitting in the back struggling with two kids, crying because she's frustrated and nobody's telling her she's special. But everyone loves Brother Angel. Because everyone's inviting Brother Angel. Everyone wants to hang around with Brother Angel. But nobody wants to hang around with the wife with a throw up on her shoulder, with a big baby sack and diapers. Maybe a few young girls that were in the church

that were really close to her that helped. But we didn't realize how far we had drifted. Yeah, so here I am in the back with the two children. And I would see him just giving these amazing sermons, man. We would have a lot of people at the altar just on the floor and I'd be like, wow, man, Angel really did good today. And again, man, that was an incredible message, man. And I'm over here struggling with the kids and I began to, I really began to detach at that moment because I didn't know my place. And so I knew at that time that there was something, that there wasn't that connection. Something was building, something was building. You know, right? You know when something's not right in your marriage. You just, you know, you can't put your finger on it, but you just know there's something off. And so I began to feel that. And I would tell the Lord, I'd be like, this is unfamiliar to me. I don't understand this part. Excuse me. I don't understand these feelings that's going on. I feel completely detached. Yet we were always together after church. We would come home, we would have dinner. You know, everything, the flow of life was just normal, but there was a disconnection within. I just couldn't pinpoint it.

And so I began to do what Diana wanted to do. And Angel began to do what Angel wanted to do. I began to do, I began to go to the gym. I had just had Justin. So I wanted to get back in that. I wanted to go back to college. I wanted to study more stuff separate from the church. See, I didn't know that I was, I didn't do that on purpose, but I began to do stuff separate from the church because the church life was already so much that I wanted to find some place where I didn't have to do with church ministry, church people. The safe zone. The safe zone, yeah. And so I just drifted and I thought that was okay because there was still peace, right? There was still- Yeah, we didn't have ugly fights. We weren't, our kids didn't grow up, Angel and Justin didn't grow up in a house of screaming parents. That wasn't our home. That wasn't the home either one of us grew up in. So that wasn't how we lived. It was a very silent death. Yeah, perfect. Very silent death, day after day. Silent dying.

And so she began to do her stuff. I began to do my stuff. I began, just the needs of people late at night, phone calls, text messages. And at the time now, the church had really grown and the church had exploded and we had bought, there was another building. We expanded the building. Every Sunday, there was probably 600 plus, 650. You know, we had started an English church and that church now started growing and we were hitting over about 100, 150. And so now in a combined Sunday, we had three services and I wasn't always the one preaching, but I'd say probably 40% of the time, I was there and the rest of it was doing the leadership training and everything else that was there. And when a thousand people were clawing at you and your wife is no longer clawing for you, it's really easy to start getting lost in when people say, man, Brother Angel, you're amazing. Because then all of a sudden, you start going, man. Nobody else tells me that. Then all of a sudden, I'm over here going, I'm traveling and this person that, and then I go, you know, when I call my wife, it's just problems. She hasn't told me I'm amazing in a while. But they keep saying I'm amazing. And then you start hearing voices, wrong ones. And then you start, she starts realizing there's more of a distance and then she starts realizing

there's more late nights. And then she starts realizing all of a sudden, something so simple as this device, you no longer leave on the counter. You only leave it in your pocket. All of a sudden now, you don't leave your phone out because you don't know who's going to call when they're going to call. So you want to make sure that hides in your pocket. You want to make sure all of a sudden histories are getting deleted. All of a sudden now you're having secrets. I knew that I didn't have my husband's heart any longer. You just know it. I knew it. I knew it. And I didn't know how to go about it. I didn't know who to talk to about it, but I knew that I was losing his heart. So I would get, I got upset. I don't know why I responded that way, but I felt like, okay, well, I'm just going to get angry. I'm just going to not tell him how amazing he is, or I'm not even going to acknowledge him when he walks in the room because he's doing his thing and he's not even acknowledging me. So I'm just going to give it right back to him. And so as I saw people flooding him all the time, I was always left alone. My eyes began to wander, to be honest with you guys. So here I am, this married woman with a wandering eye. I didn't think of anything at first. But to say this, what started the process of my wife having a wandering eye is that she didn't know her husband had already been wandering. See, I opened the door to the situation that was about to now begin to take place in our marriage because I thought I was someone important.

And for the first time, I remember thinking this, I deserve something. Be very careful of what you think you deserve. Because scripture gives us a real clear indication of what we deserve apart from him. And I thought I deserved something. I felt like I had achieved something. I began to believe the accolades. I began to believe what they were saying about me. You know, and it's the same thing with Jesus. The crowds that Messiah, Hosanna, Hosanna, and then seven days later, you don't realize that it's those same voices that are saying crucify, crucify, crucify. And so her eyes began to wander because her husband was already wandering. And I had already brought unfaithfulness into our marriage at this point. And now this had been going on and this happened for about a year and a half. And she knew she could smell it. She would bring it to me. She would ask me. She would ask me, are you with somebody else? Think about this. I'm walking off the platform. I just got done preaching. I just flew in from a conference. There's services that we would be there. Multiple people get healed. People getting saved. People getting baptized. Lives are changing. I'm walking off the platform and everyone, all this accolades. I get to the car and the question is, I see some girl looking at you. Who is she? I don't know what you're talking about.

So you could sit there and, and, and, and I say that very, I say that openly for this. I could care less how talented you are. I could care less how gifted you are. I walked in some of the most powerful services I've ever experienced in my life. Living lost in sin. How can you say that pastor? But what about God? See God moved through me, not because of me. God moved through me because there was people that had a need. You go, well, I'm gifted. so what? I feel called to the ministry. I feel this. I feel that. Who cares? How is your walk? How consistent is it? Are you in your word? Are you a man of your word? Are you a woman of your word? Are you a person of the word? And how is your character when nobody's looking? Do you guard this more than you guard your heart? Does she have every passcode to get access? And just go here, honey, go for it. Check every email. Check every bank account. You've got access and a code to everything. Or do you hide this? You know, when Pastor David was reading the, for the scriptures and you raise up your Bible, or is that for you with your phone? Without this, I don't, I can't live. And without this, I can't have strength. What is feeding your ego? How do you spell relief? And I had found myself in sin, and because I stepped out of my marriage, I left her vulnerable. And I didn't realize that. Because I loved her. I didn't want to replace her. I just wanted to be a king. But I forgot who was king. I wanted what was mine. And I didn't realize that I had left her all on her own. You know, the Bible talks about older women help the younger women, you know. So I want to call out the older women. That if you are to see some, another woman that's young with kids, help them grow. If you see something, help them grow. Because at that time, there was no one there that I can go run to and talk about these things. I didn't know who. I didn't, I didn't see anybody of that magnitude that I could run to and say, I don't think I have my husband's heart. Help me here. Ladies, it is so

important to find that woman that can help you mature in life. Again, if you are that older woman, please open your eyes. Don't just come to church and sit down and think, oh, that's it. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to help the younger ones. Don't just be annoyed by the kids. Yeah. Don't get annoyed by their kids. Because I see that a lot. I'm just going to be real. You avoid them because they have kids and they're irritating. No, we need you to come. We need you to embrace our children. Because they're tiring us out. I waited 18 years to have Ezra. 18 years later, I'm still in love with this guy. I was like, I still want to have your children. And 18 years later, Ezra comes. And now, I tell him, make enough money where you can hire a nanny and I'll have another one. Give me a nanny. I will have two more. Trust me, I'm trying. I'm trying to get Ezra. But in that process, you know, when I had stepped out of my marriage and she was, there was a separation. And I had walked away from that and I realized and I repented of my life and I repented of my sin. And now, it's about 2005, 6. And I'm trying to rebuild it without coming clear and putting the truth on the table. Be very careful of trying to fix it your way and not God's way. And so, around 2005, 2006, I said, I can't do this. This is no longer the life I want to live. I want to live right. And at this point in time, we're having issues in the church. There's a lot of stuff going on. A lot of different things. A lot of division began to happen. And we wanted to leave. And I wasn't running from that situation. I needed my marriage. I wanted my family. And the part of this was the ministry itself was willing to cover up because at this point in time, not only is she distant, she's falling in depression. She's no longer going to church. She's no longer in attendance there. And as the pastors and senior leadership of the church, I'm in these meetings. And I've got pastor's wives and calling my wife to accountability. Where is your wife? Why is this? Why is that? And everything else. And I'll never forget one time in the hallway, I was going and the pastor's wife was walking by. She said, how is sister Diana? and I said good and I kept on walking and then finally I turned around and I

said sister yeah can I ask you a question this is to about 2007 and I said you always asked me how my wife is doing she said yeah because I'm concerned I said yet you've never come to the home you asked me how she's doing I could have beat her last night but you would never know because nobody ever actually checks on her they asked me understand how dangerous that is and she was upset at me but the reality was I'm watching my wife deteriorate I'm watching my wife go to work go to the gym do those things come home close the shades go to sleep and not wake up she wasn't feeding the kids she wasn't helping as angel and Justin with homework and now as a husband I'm going hey I got my life right hey come on get it together we got a ministry to run and then I now I've got pastors around me and I'm sharing some of these things with them and this is the advice they tell me did you tell your wife no did you ask forgiveness from the Lord yes okay that's good enough and I never sat right with me and every day as angel and Justin would go where's mom she's okay she let her she's asleep I'd go grocery shopping cook dinner now remind you this is after my sin and junk now I'm trying to rebuild my home in with one leg but I can't get her heart back and her hair is falling out literally I'm watching her get ready for church brushing her hair and she's just crying in depression taking pills in depression and then we get to the church and we got to do the Christian thing how you doing blessed and highly favored how you doing I'm great like I just ate Kellogg's cereal not knowing what was happening at home so I understood there was a huge gap at this point I didn't even know who what this was anymore and I began talking to the Lord because he had been a while that I I had stopped talking to the Lord about my marriage because you guys always have to be talking to the Lord about your marriage always be always have that in conversation with the Lord always and the gap had grown I had told the Lord I'm I don't even want to talk to you about it anymore but it got the distance was so far so far at this point that I began again to speak to him and I'd be like it was more of a complaining at the time more of like I've been married this long I don't have this I

don't have a house yet I don't have a car that has AC working I don't have this I don't have that I don't have this I don't have that I don't have this my marriage sucks I don't have this I don't have that in I remember I was in the kitchen and I heard the Lord say fix your you fix your marriage and I will fix the rest I heard that and I was like me fix my marriage and you'll fix the rest like I I didn't quite understand that at the time but I began to seek after fixing my marriage because it was one thing before not even talking or dealing with it but now we're I'm beginning to seek after it there's something wrong here there needs to be some kind of fixing and the only way that we were able to fix it is one day we're sitting there together on a Saturday and we're looking at we're living in Arizona now we had left the church we're living in Arizona this is 2010 and she looks at me on a Saturday and says I just want to know it's okay you can be honest with me guys be careful whenever you are so just be honest and she says have you ever cheated on me it was casual casual conversation but see the Lord had already said fix your marriage so I began asking these questions right so she asked me and I said stop she asked again I'm being serious have you ever cheated on me babe stop angel I'm being honest it's okay I'm not gonna be mad guys whenever your wife says I'm not gonna be mad but here was the crazy thing is I was working a federal job and it had just ended and I was fasting for 10 days and I was praying two weeks prior to that conversation This is how the Lord works. And I'm praying, and I just finished fasting, and I said, Lord, what direction do we need to go? Mind you, the relationship outside of my marriage, this has been years now removed. And so now I'm in this moment, I'm praying, and I'm asking God, God, give me direction for my family. Give me direction for my marriage. Give me direction for where we need to go.

I know this isn't right. I know we need to fix this. I don't know how to do this. And I felt like my prayers hit as far as the ceiling and came back. And day after day, and I'd never felt that before, I was praying, and I was asking God, and it just felt like God didn't hear me. And sister, that scared the living daylights out of me. And after about a few days of that, this is all that I heard. Tell her. And I went, I know that's not God. Tell her. Tell her, you lying devil. And that's where my mind was. Think about it, that's where my mind was at. And so two weeks goes by. Now she asks me this question, have you ever cheated on me? And remember, the Holy Spirit had been telling me, tell her. Tell her. And I said, yes. Yes, I had been unfaithful. And when that bomb dropped, it's for the first time I realized we were trying to raise a dead carcass because our marriage had been dead for a long time. I didn't know that. Because then we went through another phase of the next 60 days. Have you ever had a fish tank and you have the rocks down at the bottom, and you throw something in,

and then all the rocks go, pshh. Right? That's what happened. But that needed to happen. The truth had to come from the Holy Spirit. It had to come on the table, because now we know what needed to be fixed. See, before that, we didn't. We were just angry, upset, we were hurt. But when truth came out, ah, as hard as that was, man. Confessing our sins to one another, because he wasn't the only one. I was doing the same thing. See, he had already done it 10 years, wait, eight. It was about five, six years. Well, at that point, no, it was 2010. So yeah, about five, six years. So he had already stopped, but I hadn't. And so we're confessing, man, that was a brutal, that was, man. Talk about that sin unto death. When you do that to your spouse in a marriage, it really feels like something died. That scripture is true. You mourn. I remember feeling like our marriage had just passed away. It was an ugly feeling, but it was a mourning feeling. That scripture is real. There is a sin unto death. You really feel the death of that sin.

So fast forward a little bit, because I know it's getting late. We moved back to California. And I sent an email out at midnight. And no, it was probably about 10, 30, 10, 30 at night. And I sent an email blast. And I said, I am a pastor. I've been pastoring for this such and such time. I said, my marriage is destroyed. I just confessed to my wife that I'd been unfaithful for years. I said, I'm losing my wife. I'm losing my kids. I don't have any money. I don't even have a job. Can someone please help me? And I sent this email to 42 different counseling ministries, 42. 36 of them replied back three weeks later that said, we don't do free counseling. All of the others said, we can give you maybe a student who is studying. But that way, they can get credit for their course to help you. All those responded within a week or two. But one responded 15 minutes after I sent the email. And the email response was, I'm sitting on the platform of a church service. I'm about to walk off. Can I call you in 30 minutes when I get to my hotel? Yes.

I didn't know that a gentleman by the name of Jose Abante was going to call me 30 minutes later. I didn't know this man. We talked on the phone, and he said, yes, I'll take you guys on. You don't know anything. I just want to help a pastor and his wife. We went through counseling for over a year and a half with him, not knowing that this man had planted over 200 churches in the Philippines, not knowing that this man had planted over 60 churches in the United States and was one of the founders in the whole process of Liberty University in their seminary program and part of their counseling division. And here's this man that responds 15 minutes later, almost 11 o'clock at night, that had this man not opened up his time, which I didn't know how busy this man was. We wouldn't be standing here right now. Can I talk to my brothers real quick? A lot of you are older than me. A lot of you are younger than me. If you don't have your wife's heart, I advise you, okay? It is your job to go find help, brothers. Because if she's not, who will? You are supposed to lead them. If something is wrong, guys, brothers, don't give up on the first try. You don't find a counselor, try again. If you can't find help, keep talking that you need help. I need help. I need help. I need help.

Somebody help me. Don't stop the seeking. Your family is depending on it. Go find help somewhere. Don't stop on the first or second try. Your wife is depending on you. I thank God he never stopped. You know, one question I had stuck in my head. Even though I was so mad at him at the time. And she didn't want to go. And I wasn't going to admit that either. There was times she didn't go. I would go by myself. Because I was so mad at him, yeah. But men and women, either way, whatever side, if you're the one trying to fix it, or whatever, here was the bottom line. Here was what was in my mind. This very important question. When this is said and done, and my kids grow up and ask me on that day, Dad, what did you do? Why did Mom leave? That I could look in the mirror and look at them in the eyes and say, son, I did everything I could. I messed up in the beginning. I started this process. You're right, and I fixed it. But at the end, son, I did everything I could. I needed to look myself in the mirror and know, because the one thing that Dr. Avanti would tell me, he told me two things that stuck with me.

And we're closing here. One thing he said that was very, very important. As I was fighting with him and he said, do you love her? Yeah, but she did this. She cheated on me. Yeah, but she did this. And then he would look at me and say, okay, pastor, how does the Bible describe love? Dr. Avanti, don't play with me. Tell me what the Bible says about love. Listen, man, she did me wrong. Tell me what the Bible says about love, pastor. Come on, man of God. I ain't trying to hear that right now. I ain't trying to hear that. And he would say, no, you're going to hear that. You said in the very beginning that you loved God and you obeyed his word. What does it say? Oh, he would make me so mad. That little Filipino guy, he was shorter than me, and I'm short and he was shorter than me. Oh, he'd make me so mad. And the second thing he told me is he said, do you ever want to pastor again? And I said, at the time, I said, never, never. And he said, well, that may change in the future. He said, but I'm going to give you one piece of advice, man of God. Oh, man, he would make me so mad when he would say that to me.

He would say this. He would say, if you can win your wife's heart back and bring her to the Lord, any man will follow you after that. Oh, lead your family back to the Lord, man of God. And that became my mission. I didn't know if she was coming back. I wanted the restoration, I didn't know if she did. I didn't know if she was coming back because she told me a whole lot of times she didn't want to come back. But I knew one thing, and I stopped trying to win her back to me. And I started trying to win her back to the Lord from a distance. And one day. One day I said, let's really, really try. Let's do this, this time right. New Year's, the turning of 2010. 2011, my wife was at a party, and I was set at home playing dominoes with Angel and Justin. And at 11.30, they're asking me in my parents' house, where's mom? She's coming. 11.45, where's mom? She's coming. 11.50, where's mom? She'll be here. And I was hanging out with my friends

because it's almost midnight, and the whole evening I kept hearing, what are you doing here? What are you doing here? What are you doing here? What are you doing here, Diana? What are you doing here? The whole evening, that's all that I heard. And at 11.50, I hear rubber tires hit the rocks. You know that sound at dad's house. And I sat there, and I didn't jump. And the kid said, is that mom? I don't know. Mom comes in two minutes before midnight. We pray as a family. Midnight comes. We were getting ready for bed, and I'll never forget. She turned over, and she said, I'm willing to try. What? I'm willing to try. Try what? I want my marriage. That was January 1st of 2011. And ever since then, it has been a rebuilding process that took every day. It wasn't overnight. We went through recycling cans to put gas in the car, rebuilding our finances. We went to starting a business from the ground up, helping each other, building one.

Helping each other, building with one another. Looking at ourselves, because sometimes we blame each other, and there's issues within ourselves that need changing. Of course, we don't see that, right? Because we're always focused on the other. Began to look at myself. In that first year, we did Bible studies. And employment didn't open up so much. I remember Dr. Urbante told me, he said, Angel, don't rush God what God's doing. Well, I don't want to struggle financially, I get it. And he didn't want you to either, but hold on a second. Because I think God's just building something in your marriage, give him a little bit of time. And we would study the scriptures together every day. We were praying together every day. And over the course of the next year and a half. We started praying for each other. I remember that was something huge. Where he would be silent and I would pray over him. When I would be silent, he would lay hands on me and pray. That was different, I remember. So when you ask, why is the age difference between Justin and Ezra so far? Because the truth of the matter is, there was a period of time where we didn't know what to do and how to do that. But as we rebuilt our life back together, Ezra became the closing point of that redemption. And we said, let's start over.

Why? Because God is good. Oh yeah. God is faithful. If you can stand to your feet, I wanna pray with you. See, we're not standing here because we're strong. We're standing here because God is faithful and God is good. To married couples, don't ignore the small compromises. Don't stop kissing one another. Don't stop telling each other, I love you. Don't get upset so easily. We went years without holding hands and kissing. Yeah. Now she can't take her hands off of me, it's crazy. I can't, I can't. He's so good. You know, if your marriage is in crisis, don't give up. Don't give up so soon. Don't give up so soon. To the singles. I give you advice build your life in Christ and make sure to ask the tough questions before you tie a knot because after the knot is tied it's a ripping apart and a cutting that you don't want to experience. To everyone else I just want to tell you why we wanted to share our story and there's so much more highs and lows but I would tell you there's a whole lot more highs than there is lows that God specializes in restoration. Joel 2.25 it says I will restore to you the years of the locust of what he's eaten so if our story proves anything it's that no marriage is beyond God's reach no failure is beyond God's grace and no broken situation is beyond God's ability to restore. I want to pray for our marriages and our families for healing forgiveness for restoration. If

you aren't married yeah if you can close your eyes just where you're at for those that are want those that are gonna be baptized you can go ahead and make your way but for all of you that are not we want to open this opportunity if you're married you're single you're divorced you're separated we want to pray with you close your eyes across this sanctuary so father right now in the name of Jesus we lift up every need and every in this house father I thank you for your faithfulness I thank you Lord God for the power of the Spirit of God to restore lives and marriages that you bring death back to life father I thank you Lord God for those marriages that are struggling right here right now that they can hear hope father for those young marriages Lord God that are striving and coming in with dreams and aspirations I come against the work of the enemy Lord God in that marriage that they can plant mentors and and and elder marriages around them to secure them in those times of waves and shake for those Lord God that are here that are going through and they don't think that they can make it father we just speak hope in life over them for the one that's divorced and needing healing father we speak healing and restoration for those Lord God that don't know where to go and what to do we just speak peace in life if you don't know the Lord Jesus tonight let me introduce you to him he is the one that resurrected our marriage he is the one that gave us hope in life he's the one that has given us everything we had missed and given us back our finances have never been better we're building a business together side by side we get to do ministry together side by side we get to raise another child side by side and when we found out she was pregnant Angel and Justin were standing right there and we cried and we celebrated that moment together so I'm here to tell you men there's hope here to tell you their strength but if you don't know the Lord Jesus who died on the cross the Son of God came to live a life you couldn't live to shed his blood to pay a price you couldn't pay that he is here right now in this moment asking you pleading for you beckoning you are you willing to give your life and give him a chance when you've tried all on your own and you've met and you are in the mess that you are in

emotionally physically you've done everything you can give Jesus the opportunity to bring restoration if you need Jesus in your life I want you to lift up your hand just say I need Jesus if you don't know him I want you to pray with me all of you that raise up your hand just repeat with me father right now in the name of Jesus I give my life to you I surrender it Lord God every step every day I lay my life down I take your life on because your life washes me of my past past. Your life forgives me of who I was. Your life gives me hope so that I can no longer, that I don't have to no longer be who I was, but that now I can be who you say I am. That I can be a son or a daughter of God. I believe you that you died on the cross. I believe you that you resurrected from the dead, and I believe you that you are God. In the name of Jesus, amen and amen. As those that are getting baptized are coming and going through, I want to open the altar. Grab your husband, grab your wife, grab your kids. As a families, can we come? Don't leave here without praying. Come. You're not too far. The hand of God is not short. Husbands, grab your wives. Wives, grab your husbands. Kids, grab parents. Come. Maybe your spouse isn't here. Maybe you came to church alone. Maybe you're praying for them and they haven't come yet. Maybe they don't want the Lord right now and they're fighting with you. You come. You make up your mind. You make that decision. Husbands, begin to pray over your wives. Wives, begin to just bless your husbands. Father, right now in the name of Jesus, we just speak blessings and peace and life in Jesus' name. For healthy homes and healthy lives, healthy marriages, healthy mindsets. Father, restore what is broken. Heal what is hurting. Make right, Lord God, by your name. Father, we thank you. We thank you. We thank you for the blood. We thank you for the cross. We thank you, Lord God, for your name. Father, restore us, Lord God. Heal our marriages. Heal our homes. Let us have healthy parents, Lord God, who are raising children. Lord God, in the fear of you, Lord, in your word. Father, we thank you. Across this altar, across this building, we bless your name. For those that are watching on the internet, some of you that are watching live right now, some of you are going to be incarcerated and watching this later. And you say, I don't know. I messed up my family. I don't know how to fix it. Give God a chance. Let the Spirit of God heal your home. Heal your marriage. Father, right now, I lift up, Lord God, those

that are watching live. Lord God, local and across this country and in other nations. Father, right now, I speak life into their marriage, life into their homes. Blessing and restoration. Lord God, right now, in the name of Jesus. Father, we thank you right now. Bring that husband home. Bring conviction in that wife, Lord God, that is left. Bring them back to a spouse that is praying. Bring them back to those children that need them. Father, restore a life. Restore their homes. Restore their future. Father, we thank you. We thank you. We bless you, Lord God. Yes. He's a restorer. He's a redeemer. He's a redeemer. Thank you. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Mom. You're always giving us the testimony that gave us the strength to rebuild a life and a marriage and a home. You guys gave us the strength to fight for it. Parents, I'm telling you, give your kids the life and the strength of your life for them to have hope and restore their life. Yes. Healing. Healing across this altar space. Heal our homes. Heal our marriages. It's not too late, brother. It's not too late, sister. It's not too late. It's not too late. It's not too late. It's not too late. It's not too late. It's right on time. God is always right on time. He can compress time. He can heal what the enemy stole. Father, we thank you. We thank you. We thank you by the Spirit of God. Move over our homes and our lives and our families. Even when I don't feel it, you're working. You never stop. You never stop working. You never stop. You never stop working. Even when I don't see it, you're working. You may feel like nothing's happening. He's working. It may feel like there's no hope. He's working. He's working. He's working. One thought to the kingdom. One more life that the enemy thought they had. We seal them back in Jesus' name. Be healed in their life and in their mind and in their spirit. A new life in Christ. A new life in Christ. A future with hope. Even when I don't feel it, you're working. You never stop. You never stop working. You never stop. You never stop working. Even when I don't see it, you're working. Even when I don't feel it, you're working. You never stop. You never stop working. You never stop. You never stop working. Even when I don't see it, you're working. It doesn't matter. Even when I don't feel it, you're working. You never stop. You never stop working.

You never stop. You never stop working. Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness, my God, that is who you are. Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness, my God, that is who you are. Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness, my God, that is who you are. Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness, my God, that is who you are. That is who you are, that is who you are, that is who you are, that is who you are. That is who you are, that is who you are, that is who you are, that is who you are, that is who you are, that is who you are. That is what you are, that is who you are, that is who you are, that is who you are. That is what you are, that is what you are. I call on you, I call on you, I call on you, I call on you, I call on you, I call on you. I call on you, I call on you, I call on you, I call on you, Give her wisdom and strength in every decision. Now in Jesus' name, freedom. Let her be a free person in Christ. Freedom, freedom, freedom. We set you free by the name of Jesus. We set you free by the name of Jesus. Young lady, be free, be free, be free. Thank you, Jesus.

Freedom, freedom, freedom. We spoil the plans of the enemy, the enemy's works. Freedom in Jesus' name, freedom in Jesus' name, freedom in Jesus' name, freedom in Jesus' name. Guys, our city, our country, our nation. needs families, needs husbands to take that role, needs wives to step in. We need to be able to have healthy homes and healthy families. We need to be able to come to him with our honesty and transparency and allow the spirit of God to make that transition in us, to kill the old self and bring in the new. This is a new life. To freedom in him. And what they're doing in being baptized is the scripture says, it says that if you can die with him, then you can rise with him. According to Romans chapter six. The beauty is this, brother. He didn't come to rebuild the old me. He came to kill the old me and create in me a new person in Christ. He ain't gonna rebuild the old one, that's done. I am a new creation. All things passed away. All things have become new. And everything in me is of God. That's the new creation.

There we go. We thank you, Lord. We thank you in the name of Jesus. We thank you for this man, Lord God, to dedicate his life to you. We thank you, Lord God, for the decision and the open witness, Lord God, of being baptized. We thank you for a clear conscience. We thank you for freedom in his life and over his home and in his family. We thank you, Lord God, for freedom in every decision that is coming. We thank you, Lord God, for if there's any addiction, we break that right now in the name of Jesus. We speak freedom and life, Lord God, right now in Jesus' name. Devil, you thought you had him. You get your claws off of him. It is now by the blood of Jesus. He is a new person in Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen, amen, amen, amen. One more? For those of you that are able to stick around, we have a few more. For those of you that wanna get wet, it's all right. As Philip said to the Ethiopian unit, there's water here, what hinders you? Father, we thank you tonight. How many of you guys feel free?

Any free people? Any free people? Ain't it beautiful to be free? I remember being bound by drugs. I remember being bound by hate. I remember being bound by the enemy. I remember being bound by lies and sin and garbage and filth. And brother, I'll tell you right now, man, it is the greatest thing to be free. Breathing air as a free believer, brother, ain't nothing like it. Ain't nothing like it. Look at this young lady. Father, we thank you. We thank you for her decision. We thank you. In Jesus' name. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Bless her. Father, we just speak strength and wisdom. Give her hope and strength. Give her courage, Lord God, to stand against the tides of life. Father, right now, freedom, Lord God. Give her strength, Lord God, right now by the spirit of the living God. Comfort, healing, health. In Jesus' name.

Father, we thank you. We thank you. In Jesus' name. In Jesus' name. Is there any more, Sister Cher? Cher? Is that the last? Oh, we have another one. We have one that made a decision today. We have one more. As those old commercials said, just wait, there's more. Just wait, there's more. Thank you for all of you that were able, that were willing to stay. Father, we thank you. Father, we thank you. We thank you for this decision. We thank you, Lord God, for a life being laid down. Father, we thank you for the blood of Jesus. We thank you for the name that is above every name. We thank you, Lord God, for your goodness and your grace. We thank you for hope. We thank you for life. Bless her. Bless her. As she lays her life down, we come against any spiritual wickedness in high places. Freedom right now. We thank you.

We cheer you on, sister. As the heavens are cheering you, we cheer with heaven. We thank you right now. We thank you, Lord. We thank you for a new life. We thank you for freedom. We thank you for healing. We thank you for restoration from the past and the pain. We thank you, Lord God. Heal this heart. Heal this life. Heal this mind. No more depression. No more anxiety. No more addiction. Now we just speak hope and life. Freedom. Freedom. In Jesus' name, we thank you. Amen. Amen. And amen. Thank you guys for staying with us. Why don't you look at your neighbor and slap someone high five and say, You look amazing today. It is wonderful to be in the house of God. Wednesday Bible study, 645. Bring your young people. Bring your young adults. We're here.

We love you. Thank you for coming. Be blessed in Jesus' name. Amen and amen. In Jesus' name, amen. In Jesus' name, amen. In Jesus' name, amen. Let us enter into the Mass. In Jesus' name, amen. In Jesus' name, amen. In Jesus' name, amen. Salva, salva, cúbreme con tu amor, mi corazón te alabará. Yo te confiaré, tu promesa sigue en mi, tú eres bien. Confiado andaré, en tus manos estaré, siempre ha sido usted. Él está listo para mover esas montañas, todos juntos. Yo sé que tú mueves montañas, yo creo en ti, sé que lo harás otra vez. Adriste mal en el desierto, yo creo en ti, sé que lo harás otra vez. Yo sé que tú mueves montañas, yo creo en ti, sé que lo harás otra vez. Adriste mal en el desierto, yo creo en ti, sé que lo harás otra vez. Sé que lo harás otra vez. Yo te confiaré, tu promesa sigue en mi, tú eres bien. Confiado andaré, en tus manos estaré, siempre ha sido usted. En tus manos estaré. Gracias, Señor. Gracias, Señor. Confiado andaré, en tus manos estaré, desde el momento en que despierto hasta la noche se, yo cantaré de la bondad de Dios. En mi vida has sido bueno, en mi vida has sido tan, tan fiel, con mi ser, con cada aliento, yo cantaré de la bondad de Dios. Yo amo tu voz, me has guiado por el fuego, tú cerca estás en la oscuridad, te conozco como padre y como amigo fiel, mi vida está en la bondad de Dios. En mi vida has sido bueno, en mi vida has sido tan, tan fiel, con mi ser, con cada aliento, yo cantaré de la bondad de Dios. Yo cantaré de la bondad de Dios.

Tu fidelidad sigue persiguiendome, tu fidelidad sigue persiguiendome, todo lo que soy. Te lo entrego hoy, a ti me rendiré, tu fidelidad sigue persiguiendome, tu fidelidad sigue persiguiendome, tu fidelidad sigue persiguiendome. Todo lo que soy, te lo entrego hoy, a ti me rendiré, tu fidelidad sigue persiguiendome. En mi vida has sido bueno, en mi vida has sido tan, tan fiel, con mi ser, con cada aliento, yo cantaré de la bondad de Dios. Yo cantaré de la bondad de Dios. Gracias, Señor Jesús. Te damos toda gloria, toda honra, bendito Dios. Te alabamos, Señor, te glorificamos, Señor mío. Gracias, Padre mío. Gloria a Dios. So, vamos a, tenemos unos, dificultades técnicos, pero vamos a seguir adelante, ¿amen? ¿Están de acuerdo conmigo? ¿Sí? Voy a entonar un canto. ¿Amen? ¿Qué sería de mí si no me hubieras alcanzado? ¿Dónde estuviera hoy si no me hubieras perdonado? Tendría un vacío en mi corazón, vagaría sin rumbo, sin dirección. Si no fuera por tu gracia y por tu amor. Si no fuera por tu gracia y por tu amor. Declara conmigo. Sería como un pájaro herido que se muere en el suelo. Sería como un ciervo que brama por agua en el desierto. Si no fuera por tu gracia y por tu amor. Si no fuera por tu gracia y por tu amor. Si no fuera por tu gracia y por tu amor. Amén. Gloria a Dios. Gloria a Dios. Benjamin, can we run the announcements?

Okay, run it already. A todos, bienvenidos a House of Rest Church en Español. Vamos a tomarnos cuantos segundos para saludarnos unos a los otros. Si hay personas nuevas, bienvenidas. Gracias por estar aquí. Los que están en Pando y Adobo, bienvenidos. Buenos días. Los que están en Facebook y YouTube, también, buenos días. Gracias por estar con nosotros. Vamos a hacer la cena del Señor. ¿Cuántos saben lo que es la cena del Señor? La cena del Señor es en memoria de lo que Jesús hizo, ¿no? Por nosotros. Y en el libro de 1 Corintios capítulo 11, todos tienen su pan y su jugo. Si no, levanta tu mano para que te den uno, por favor. Ustedes que están mirando en Pando, en Adobo, bienvenidos. También, si quieren participar con nosotros, tomen ahí lo que tengan, agua o pan, lo que tengan ahí, y participen también con nosotros. Y antes de entrar en la cena del Señor, yo quiero recordarte... que es importante examinar nuestra vida delante de Dios antes de participar en la cena del Señor. Yo sé que hay muchos lugares donde todos participan de la cena del Señor, sean salvos o no, pero aquí en House of Restoration, yo creo que tú necesitas saber el significado de lo que es tomar la cena del Señor. Primeramente, si tú creíste en tu corazón y te entregaste a Jesucristo de todo corazón, dice la Escritura que eres salvo, ¿verdad? Si tú creíste en Jesucristo, que Él murió, resucitó al tercer día, y que ahora está la diesta del Padre intercindiendo por nosotros, tú puedes tomar la cena. Pero si todavía no has hecho la confesión de fe, de aceptar a Jesucristo y rendir tu vida a Él, entonces te pido, por favor, que no la tomes, por favor, porque sabemos que Dios es un Dios de orden, ¿amén? Ahí en el libro de 1 Corintios capítulo 11, dice lo siguiente.

1 Corintios capítulo 11, versículo 23, en adelante. ¿Están conmigo? ¿Sí? ¿Todos están listos? Voy a leer el versículo 27 para que ustedes miren lo que es la importancia. Dice, de manera que cualquiera que comiere este pan o bebiera esta copa del Señor indignamente, ¿qué significa indignamente? No sabiendo, sino solamente hacerlo a la ligera. Dice, será culpado del cuerpo y de la sangre del Señor. Dice ahí eso, ¿verdad que sí? Debemos examinar nuestra vida primeramente, nosotros que somos creyentes también, y estar bien delante de Dios. Si nosotros no hemos perdonado a alguien, yo creo que es tiempo de que perdones a alguien, porque no puedes tomar la cena del Señor sin antes reconciliarte con esa persona. ¿Amén? Bueno, tomen su pan y su copa, y vamos a entrar a la palabra de Dios, dice, institución de la cena del Señor. El apóstol Pablo dice, porque yo recibí del Señor lo que también les he enseñado. Que el Señor Jesús, la noche que fue entregado, tomó pan. Y habiendo dado gracias, lo partió y dijo, Tomad, comed, esto es mi cuerpo, que por ustedes es partido, hacer esto en memoria de mí. Levante su pan. Este es el cuerpo de Jesucristo. ¿Amén? Esto representa el cuerpo de Jesucristo. El cuerpo que fue inmolado, que fue golpeado, y que fue sacrificado por nuestros pecados. Comed de él. Y dice, asimismo, tomó también la copa después de haber cenado, diciendo, Esta copa es el nuevo pacto en mi sangre. Hacer esto todas las veces que la bebieras en memoria de mí. Levanten esta copa de jugo. Esa copa que tú vas a tomar, ese jugo que tú vas a beber, representa el nuevo pacto para nosotros, los creyentes, de que Jesucristo derramó su sangre por nuestros pecados. ¿Amén? Tomen de ese jugo.

Así pues, todas las veces que comieran este pan y bebieras esta copa, la muerte del Señor anuncian hasta que Él venga. ¿Amén? Cierren sus ojos. Paren en nombre de Jesucristo. Te damos gracias, mi Dios, por enviar a tu Hijo amado Jesucristo a este mundo. Gracias, Señor Jesucristo, por aceptar el llamado de poder estar aquí, en el mundo, el tiempo que estuviste. Gracias, Señor Jesucristo, porque tú anunciabas que el reino de Dios se había acercado, porque tú eres Dios, Señor Jesús. Y te damos gracias, Señor Jesucristo, por el sacrificio que tú hiciste en la cruz. Y gracias, Señor Jesús, porque tú resucitaste y nos has demostrado verdaderamente que tu eres Dios. Mi Dios te doy gracias por todos los que están aquí hoy, Señor Jesucristo, y te pido que la palabra que hoy y el mensaje que se va a dar hoy sea Señor. Palabra y mensaje que tenemos que escuchar hoy, Señor Jesucristo. Abrimos nuestro corazón ante ti, Señor, y te pedimos que tú hables, mi Dios, por medio de tu palabra, Señor, y por medio de tu siervo, te pedimos, Señor, que tú tomes el control en el nombre poderoso de Jesús. Amén. Mira el que está a tu lado. Dile, te ves muy bien hoy. Ahora dile, pon atención. Bueno. Aquí en House of Wreaths Church, en español, nosotros declaramos que somos una familia antes de que seamos una iglesia, y declaramos también que Jesucristo es el pastor, el principal pastor de esta iglesia, y este púlpito le pertenece a él. Amén. Detrás de este púlpito solamente vamos a aplicar a Dios, a Jesucristo, al Padre y al Espíritu Santo. Amén. No vamos a aplicar nosotros mismos, sino vamos a aplicar de Dios. ¿Están de acuerdo? Amén. Porque no importa la historia mía, importa la historia de quién, de Dios. Amén. Amén. Bueno, hoy en este día vamos a hablar sobre las parábolas de Jesucristo. Y las parábolas simplemente son historias que Jesús usó para poder, ¿qué? Comunicar el mensaje de Dios a las personas. Y tenía muchos significados las parábolas que dio, y dio varias parábolas. Lo podemos leer en el libro de Mateo capítulo 13, y en otras escrituras ahí mismo, en este libro, en el libro de Lucas,

y en el libro de Marcos. Y hoy en este día, vamos a leer las parábolas de Jesucristo. Y por favor, escuchen con su corazón. Ustedes que están mirando en Pano de Doble, ahí en esas prisiones, escuchen también. Porque no solamente Dios hace cosas aquí en este lugar, Dios hace cosas en todo lugar. Amén. Aún ahí donde estás, en esa celda, Dios te va a hablar. Dice, la palabra en el libro de Mateo capítulo 13, nos dice qué es el significado de las parábolas. Ve conmigo, ve conmigo al libro de Mateo capítulo 13, por favor. Y gracias por acordarme. Mateo capítulo 13. Benjamin, tienes la declaración de la Biblia? Sí? Declaration. Ok, si ustedes miran atrás de mí en la pantalla, hay algo que decimos cada domingo. Lo decimos para que todos se animen a traer la Biblia al servicio. Dice aquí, detrás de la pantalla, y digan conmigo, esta es mi Biblia, es la palabra de Dios para mí, mi guía, mi fortaleza. La traigo lista para aprender, la abro con fe en Jesús, la vivo con valentía, sin ella me debilito, con ella soy fuerte. Hoy la traigo, la creo y la obedezco en el nombre de Jesús. Amén? Mateo capítulo 13. Todos están ahí? Versículo 10 en adelante dice, entonces acercándose los discípulos le dijeron, le preguntaron porque él había hecho, o sea, había hablado una parábola y la vamos a ver más adelante, pero dice, entonces se acercaron los discípulos, le dijeron, ¿por qué les hablas por parábolas? Él respondió, les dijo, Because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but it is not given to them, because to anyone who has it will be given to him, and he will have more, but he who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. That is why I speak to you by parables, because by seeing you do not see,

and by hearing you do not hear or understand, so that the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled in them, that he said, By hearing you will hear and you will not understand, and by seeing you will see and you will not perceive, because the heart of this people has thickened, and with the ears they hear heavily, and they have closed their eyes, that they may not see with the eyes, and hear with the ears, and understand with the heart, and become, and I will heal them. But your eyes are blessed, because they see, and your ears, because they hear, because I tell you the truth, that many prophets and just ones wanted to see what you see, and they did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and they did not hear it. The Lord Jesus Christ speaks about the parable of the sower in that chapter, from verse 1 onwards, and the disciples, when they heard that the Lord was speaking to them about that parable of the sower, the disciples asked him, Why do you speak to them in parables? Well, parables will always mean a story, and Jesus used parables to communicate the message of God, so that they would understand. Why? Because sometimes there are people that when we speak to them directly about what is the word of God, sometimes they do not understand. They hear, but they do not understand the message. And sometimes we have to give our testimony as a story, to bring them closer to the feet of God, right? Our testimony can be a story that you use as a parable for someone, to bring them closer to God. I remember when I started in the Lord's Way, that the services ran for an hour, two hours, three hours, and people were praising and worshiping God, and they were not looking at the clock to see what time the message would end. They were not doing that.

They were, what? Prepared for what God was going to do. That is why we say, and I have said, that when we come here to the house of God, we come with a heart that is willing to be open to the Lord, so that the Lord speaks to our heart. We come with expectation, in other words. Ask the one next to you. Do you come with expectation that God will speak to your life today? It is important, my brothers and sisters, to come to the service and listen to the message of God. Maybe I am not the best preacher you have ever heard, but it does not matter. It does not matter. It does not matter. Maybe I am not the preacher who shouts and does all that. It does not matter. I am not like the preachers. I want to be like Jesus. Amen? Like Jesus. Scripture says that he was meek and humble. Yes or no? He was compassionate. He was loving to people. And when Jesus was speaking to them, of the parables, to these people that he had in front of them, he was speaking to them with a story, peacefully. He was not shouting at them. Right? He was not shouting at them.

You know, we should never come to the church just to fulfill a commitment with God. Because this is not how we should come to the church. We should come to the service with an expectation in our hearts that God will speak a story, a message, a preaching, or something in our life that will feed our spirit. Amen? Now, I do not lie when I tell you that I enjoy when I see that you come to the service. And sometimes I feel sad when I see that this place is almost empty. There are only two or three people or four. And I ask myself, am I doing things right? No Pero sabes luego Diego a la realidad De que yo no estoy en control de esta obra es dios Venga uno venga dos venga tres o venga night in yo siempre Pregare la palabra de dios amen y dar el mensaje que dios pone mi corazón para dar

Pero yo te quiero decir algo mis hermanos y hermanas que que vengas o no esta obra sigue adelante Amen Y si no vienes por favor habla de pastor paso esto algo para saber siquiera como estas amen o habla de un hermano de la hermana de la iglesia de la hermana no puede venir porque Porque esto pasó o estoy enfermo enferma sabes que la palabra dice que que Que cuando estemos enfermos cuando estemos pasando por tiempos difíciles que hablemos I Say reach out que vayamos a que el can se moda o sea que que el can se mo's que vayamos hacia las personas que pueden ayudarnos en la situación que estamos porque es importante Las parábolas de jesucristo fueron uno de los métodos principales que jesucristo utilizó para enseñar durante su ministerio terrenal y a través de la biblia nos damos cuenta de que jesucristo empezó Su ministerio después de que fue bautizado Bautizado Y hoy en este día primer domingo del mes tenemos bautizos Y yo quiero decirte algo de que ha habido controversia sobre bautizarse en agua El bautismo en agua es algo esencial Para nuestras vidas no es de que quieras o no es que tienes que hacerlo Es que tienes que hacerlo yo tengo que hacerlo amén Porque si de verdad era mente tú te has entregado a jesucristo tú vas a hacer lo que jesucristo hizo jesucristo Después de que subió del agua cuando fue bautizado dice que el espíritu santo Descendió sobre él como paloma si o no y después de eso Empezó su ministerio terrenal aquí en este mundo amén Sabes es importante que nosotros Tomemos ese el bautismo en agua en serio y si no te has bautizado Tenimos que te bautizas ya o pronto amén Porque el que no se bautiza en agua está en desobediencia

Está en desobediencia Me lo creas o no ahí está en la escritura Ir y hacer discípulos en todas las naciones bautizando sobre el nombre del padre del hijo del espíritu santo amén Ahí está en la escritura el que creer y fuere bautizado será salvo Y el que no creer será condenado sabes creer es una cosa creerle a dios es otra cosa amén Si verdaderamente estamos dispuestos a decir señor jesucristo yo rindo mi vida a ti Me voy a bautizar para proclamarle a todos que yo viviré para ti todo el resto de mi vida Eso lo que debemos hacer Pero a veces decimos no no estoy listo para bautizar me que no estás listo que no está entonces no estabas listo cuando recibiste a jesús No estabas listo entonces o lista Están de acuerdo sí bueno Está en tan de acuerdo no están enojados ni modo si se enojan ni modos El que se enoja dice que luis pierde amén pierde Bueno es tiempo de decir la verdad sobre el bautismo Y debemos nosotros tomar en serio el bautismo en agua Porque a pesar de que es una declaración proclamando tu fe es algo espiritual en tu interior de que tú seguro estás De que ya no vas a estar viviendo como tú sino como él amén como él Todos ustedes pueden levantarse en contra de mí pero nunca se podrán levantar en contra de la palabra de dios de la palabra de dios La palabra de dios Dice claramente lo que dice y no necesitamos quitarle ni ponerle Dice lo que dice amén Las parábolas del señor jesucristo Me desvío un poco pero vamos para atrás amén Vamos a entrar el mensaje las parábolas de jesucristo las parábolas de jesucristo son historias sencillas

tomadas de la vida cotidiana Que contienen una verdad spiritual and profound. Jesus spoke to fishermen, to farmers, to sheep, about coins, about banquets and about families to reveal the ministries of the kingdom of God in a way that people could understand. And maybe you have had the opportunity to share a story of God with someone and you haven't done it. Well, start doing it. Start doing it, because none of you were called simply to be saved and not to do anything. We were called to be saved and to serve in the hands of God. The army of salvation, I have already said, has two S's on one side, here, and they take it for salvation, to serve. Amen? Remember that. We are in the hands of God and we must be the instrument that God uses to reach people who are lost outside the church. The parables of Jesus Christ, as an example, we must take them and we must explain them to the people of God, correctly. In the parables we see that Jesus Christ referred a lot and said, the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God, yes or no? The kingdom of God. And when the disciples asked him why he taught the parables, Jesus explained, the stories revealed the truth to their lives. And it was the way that Jesus used the parables so that they understood well. Because I'm going to tell you something, when they talked to me about the Lord, when I was not on the path of God, I ignored, I was ignorant of the things of God. I didn't want to understand. Why? Because I heard, but I didn't understand, right? I looked, but I didn't believe. That is why the parables were not simply, that is, they were simply illustrations that Jesus used to reach the listeners who were listening to the message. And in the book of Matthew, chapter 13, verse 1 says, that day Jesus came out of the house and got together by the sea. And many people got together, and entering the boat, he sat down, and all the people were on the beach. And he spoke to them

many things through parables, saying, Here the sower went out to sow. And while he was sowing, part of the seed fell along the way, and the birds came and ate it. Part of it fell in the rocks where there was not much land, and it sprouted soon, because it had no depth of land. But when the sun came out, it burned, and because it had no root, it dried up. And part of it fell between thorns, and the thorns grew and drowned it. But part of it fell in good soil, and it bore fruit. Which is the parable of the sower? When one hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, the evil one comes and takes away what was sown in his heart. This is the one who was sown, and the evil one takes away what was sown in his heart. This is the one who was sown along the way. When we are in the service, and we are listening to the message, sometimes we have a question or a doubt about what is being preached. And sometimes, instead of staying a couple of minutes after the service to ask about that question you have, or that doubt you have, we are listening to the message, and we are listening to the message, and we are running away, yes or no? Sometimes I did. I'm not an exception. But sometimes I did. And you know, when you leave this place, out there, there is an enemy who wants to steal what you, what God is giving you here in the service. And sometimes people leave the service, the people who have listened to the message, and the enemy comes and steals that word, and they no longer grow, and they are no longer nourished. They forget what they were taught. predicó el domingo pasado a ver si yo les pregunto hoy hermano Luis que se predicó el domingo pasado mande Roberto que se predicó el domingo pasado no recuerdas hermano adán que se predicó el domingo pasado hermano Eduardo que se predicó domingo pasado vean lo que les digo vean lo que les digo sabes nosotros tenemos que ser personas que reciben la palabra pero también personas que dan la palabra no solamente vinimos aquí para recibir mis hermanos vinimos para que para recibir para dar cuando salgamos aquí de este lugar muchas de las veces nosotros decimos no pues no crecemos en esa iglesia sabes que eres tú el que no creces en la

iglesia el mensaje se está predicando se está dando pero que de ti que estás haciendo cuando recibes el mensaje estás verdaderamente yéndote a tu casa durante la semana examinando lo que dijo el pastor o el líder en el mensaje lo más digo saben los demonios dice la biblia creen en dios y tiemblan pero nosotros a veces que creemos en dios ni siquiera temblamos miramos a la izquierda miramos a la derecha y nos olvidamos que debemos que mirar hacia adelante hacia adelante que reverencia que temor que lealtad tenemos con dios sabes yo me pregunto muchas veces estoy bien con contigo dios que estoy así siempre me estoy preguntando para yo estar bien con dios y esa parábola del sembrador cuando es cuando el sembrador salió a sembrar parte cayó en el camino y la que cayó en el camino son aquellas personas que que que se van de este lugar y se olvidan de lo que se predicó del mensaje porque porque dejan que el enemigo venga y les robe ese mensaje ese alimento que dios les dio en el tiempo de servicio o en el tiempo del mensaje y eso tiene que cambiar versículo 19 dice 20 perdón y el que fue sembrado en pedregales este es el que yo oye la palabra y al momento la recibe con gozo pero no tiene raíz en sí sino que es de corta duración pues al venir la aflicción o la persecución por causa de la palabra luego tropieza venimos a este lugar gloria a dios amén hallelujah si o no entramos entramos y nos gozamos pero que pasa cuando pasa una aflicción a la vida que pasa cuando caes en una cama de enfermedad que pasa que pasa te pones ahora te pones a confiar en dios de que él verdaderamente puede cambiar tu situación tu circunstancia que estás viviendo en el momento

la palabra que recibimos es palabra que quedamos si o no para que sí bueno esta esta esta semillas cayeron en que dice en que gracias hermano en el momento hay gozo pero no hay raíz no hay estabilidad llegan los problemas ven en las situaciones difíciles a la vida y porque no tienes raíces profundas en dios que pasa te marchitas de secas el que si el que fue sembrado entre espinos este es el que oye la palabra me brinco una página es el que oye la palabra pero el afán de este siglo y el engaño de las riquezas ahogan en la palabra y se hace infructuosa. Mas el que fue sembrado en buena tierra, este es el que oye y entiende la palabra y da fruto y produce a ciento, a sesenta y a treinta por uno. El mensaje de la parábola del sembrador es de que nosotros debemos estar, ¿qué? Siempre conectados con David, con Dios, con Jesús, para producir el fruto espiritual en nuestras vidas que Dios le agrade, ¿amén? Dice Jesús, yo soy la vida, usted los pámpanos. El que no esté en mí, no dará mucho fruto, porque dice, separados de mí, nada pueden hacer, ¿sí o no? ¿Verdad que sí? Que la semilla que nosotros recibimos cada domingo que vinimos a este lugar, sea una semilla que caiga en tierra fértil, donde produzca el fruto que Dios quiere

que nosotros produzcamos a través de su palabra, ¿amén? Porque, ¿qué me conviene venir al servicio y mirar la necesidad de mi hermano y nunca hacer nada? O sea, ¿a quién sirves, a quién sirves? Si Jesús dice en Filipenses capítulo dos, que él se humilló a sí mismo, ¿tomó qué? Tomó forma de siervo, él sirvió, ¿sí o no? ¿Verdad que sí? Okay, so, lo que nosotros aprendemos, ¿eso qué? Eso damos, eso damos, ¿amén? Bueno, ahora sí vamos a comenzar el mensaje. Número uno, si tienes cuaderno ahí, escribe. Las parábolas revelan las verdades del reino de Dios. La mayoría de las parábolas comienzan con expresiones como el reino de los Dios es semejante a, vamos a ver. Vamos a ver. Jesús estaba enseñando cómo Dios gobierna todo, cómo actúa y cómo actúa el corazón humano y cómo será el futuro juicio de Dios. Y muchos de nosotros a veces no queremos escuchar del juicio de Dios. Yo no quiero escuchar del juicio de Dios, pero sé que hay un juicio de Dios, porque el vivir y morir no termina allí, ¿amén? Estamos en este mundo y seremos juzgados de todo lo que hemos hecho desde el momento que entregamos nuestra vida a Jesús en adelante. Por eso es tan importante que todo aquel que todavía no está entregado al Señor se rinda a Jesucristo para que Jesús borre sus pecados,

borre su pasado y le dé una vida nueva y sea una nueva criatura para empezar las cosas nuevas espiritualmente en la vida, ¿amén? El reino de Dios no es solamente un lugar futuro, es una realidad espiritual que transforma vidas en el presente hoy, hoy, es una realidad. Y quiero decirte que hay personas en este mundo que son cizañas para tu vida. Apártate de ese amigo que no te está ayudando con tu fe. Apártate de ese familiar que constantemente te está invitando a los bailes, a las cosas del mundo en vez de invitarte a la iglesia. Yo no digo que ya nunca les hables, no, eso no, yo te estoy diciendo que te apartes de ellos, ¿amén? Claro que Dios va a poner el momento oportuno para que tú les hables del Señor, pero si ahorita tú que estás creciendo en el Señor tienes amigos que no te están sirviendo para nada, entonces aléjate de esos amigos, encuentra amigos que verdaderamente te aman, que verdaderamente van a cuidar de tu vida, que van a estar ahí cuando estés en la cárcel, cuando estés en el hospital, dondequiera que estés, que cuando tú les llames, hey, necesito ayuda o hey, necesito, tengo una pregunta de Dios, tenga la respuesta, ¿amén? Número dos, otro propósito para las parábolas es que muestran el carácter de Dios y a través de las parábolas vemos a un Dios lleno de amor, misericordia, gracia y paciencia y vamos a ver en la Biblia dos ejemplos que respaldan estas obras de Dios. En la parábola del hijo pródigo Dios es representado como quien, como el padre amoroso

que recibe a su hijo pecador que se fue, se alejó y se perdió. Lucas capítulo 15 Lucas capítulo 15 Lucas capítulo 15 versículo 11 también dijo un hombre tenía dos hijos y el menor de ellos dijo a su padre padre dame la parte de los bienes que me corresponden y les repartió los bienes en primer lugar no era no era el momento que este hijo le preguntara por la herencia porque era el menor siempre el mayor tiene que ser dice no muchos días después juntándolo todo el hijo menor se fue lejos a una provincia apartada y ahí desperdició sus bienes viviendo perdidamente fue a las vegas perdidamente y cuando todo lo hubo malgastado vino una gran hambre en aquella provincia y comenzó a faltarle y fue y se arrimó a uno de los ciudadanos de aquella tierra el cual le envió a su hacienda perdón a su hacienda para que apacentara que puercos cerdos y deseaba llenar su vientre de las algarrobas que comían los cerdos pero nadie le daba y volviendo en sí dijo cuántos jornaleros en la casa de mi padre tienen abundancia de pan y yo aquí perezco de hambre me levantaré y iré a mi padre y le diré padre he pecado contra el cielo y contra ti ya no soy digno de ser llamado tu hijo hazme como a uno de tus jornaleros y levantándose vino a su padre y cuando aún estaba lejos lejos lo vio su padre y fue movido a misericordia y corrió y se echó sobre su cuello y lo besó y el hijo le dijo padre he pecado contra el cielo y contra ti y ya no soy digno de ser llamado tu hijo pero el padre dijo a sus siervos sacar el mejor vestido y vestirle y poner un anillo en su mano y calzado en sus pies y traer el becerro gordo y matarlo y comamos y hagamos fiesta digan conmigo porque este mi hijo muerto era y ha revivido se había perdido y es hallado y comenzaron a regocijarse men qué representación de una parábola de esta historia del hijo pródigo verdad de que teniendo a un hijo que se reveló y perdió todo y se perdió el padre fácilmente pudiera estar enojado con ese hijo pudiera ya ni siquiera hablarle pero no lo hizo el padre esperaba que su hijo muerto perdido regresara a casa y así dios quiere con todos nosotros todos pero con todos aquellos que están perdidos en vicios en adicciones en hechicería, en maledicencia, en arrogancia, en brujería, en muchas cosas del mundo. El Padre Celestial está esperando con las manos abiertas a todas esas personas. Así como lo hizo conmigo, tu siervo, cuando yo estaba perdido,

gastando mi dinero en cosas que para nada le ficaban en mi vida. Cuando yo regresé, o sea, cuando yo rendí mi vida al Señor, ese día el Padre me abrazó, limpió mis pecados y declaró, mi hijo que estaba perdido, hoy regresó. Amén. Amén. Qué bueno que Dios es amoroso, misericordioso y gracioso con nosotros, ¿verdad? Con nosotros los pecadores. Hoy alrededor del mundo, y aún aquí en Estados Unidos, hay hijos pródigos que sabiendo la verdad viven alejados de Dios, gastando sus vidas en placeres del mundo. Y esa es la realidad. Segundo ejemplo del amor, la misericordia, la gracia y la paciencia de Dios se encuentra en la parábola de la oveja perdida. Yo creo que todos ustedes han escuchado esa parábola, ¿verdad? De la oveja perdida. Ahí mismo, Lucas capítulo 15, dice, versículo 1, Se acercaban a Jesús todos los publicanos y pecadores para oírle, y los fariseos y los escribas murmuraban, diciendo, ¿Este a los pecadores recibe y con ellos come? Entonces, él les refirió esta parábola, diciendo, ¿Qué hombre de ustedes, teniendo cien ovejas, si pierde una de ellas, no deja las noventa y nueve en el desierto y va atrás la que se perdió hasta encontrarla? Y cuando la encuentra, la pone sobre sus hombros gozoso. Y al llegar a casa, reúne a sus amigos y vecinos, diciéndoles, Gócense conmigo, porque he encontrado mi oveja que se había perdido. Les digo que así habrá más gozo en el cielo por un pecador que se arrepiente que por noventa y nueve justos que no necesitan de arrepentimiento. Amén. En el día que tú entregaste tu vida a Jesucristo, fue el día que Dios te encontró. No que tú encontraste a Dios, sino que Dios te encontró a ti.

Porque nosotros somos los que nos perdemos. Amén. Somos los que nos alejamos a veces de Dios. Dios siempre está allí. Siempre está en todo lugar. Pero nosotros a veces, y yo hablando de mí cuando yo estaba en el mundo, me escondía de Dios. Estaba perdido, pero gracias al Señor que Él fue hacia donde yo estaba, me encontró y me salvó. Por eso me encanta el canto que dice, ¿qué sería de mí? Si no me hubieras alcanzado, ¿qué sería de mí? Si no me hubieras perdonado. Dice, sería como un pájaro herido que se muere en el suelo. Sería como un ciervo que brama por agua en el desierto. Si no fuera por la gracia de Dios y por el amor de Él, no estuviéramos aquí, hermanos. No estuviéramos aquí. Esa es la realidad. Ahora, te pregunto. ¿Algunos de ustedes han perdido algo muy importante? ¿Julie, has perdido algo importante? ¿Que a veces andas para allá y para acá buscando desesperadamente eso que has perdido? ¿Sí? Y cuando lo hayas, ¿qué pasa? Gracias, Dios. Te gozas. No la tienes. Amén. Amén.

Él restaura vidas y restaura familias. Amén. Y Él va a restaurar tu relación con tu familia. Amén. Un día perdí yo mi cartera, mi cartera tenía mi seguro social, tenía mis tarjetas y tenía mi licencia. Si ya te imaginas cómo estaba yo, pero sabes cuando la leí, aprendí una lección, ya no cargo mi seguro social, y ahora tengo más cuidado con mi cartera. Cuántos de nosotros podemos decirle gracias a Jesucristo por encontrarnos en el momento oportuno o correcto, como tú quieras nombrarlo. Dios nunca llega tarde a nuestra vida, nunca. Ustedes no saben cuántas veces intenté yo dañarme o quitarme la vida, cuando estaba en drogado, perdido, y yo te pregunto cuántas personas como yo andaba antes hay en este mundo ahorita, pensando en el suicidio para quitarse la vida, hay muchos ¿verdad? La solución no es dañarte o quitarte la vida, esa no es la solución. Dios es el juez de los que hacen esas cosas, nosotros no, pero yo sí te puedo decir algo, que tu vida, mi vida, la vida de todo ser humano que hay en este mundo, en este planeta tierra es importante para Dios, aún el más pecador, su vida es importante para Dios. Si tú estás escuchando ahí en esa celda, en esa prisión, en esa cárcel, yo quiero decirte que ahí Dios puede hacer algo en tu vida, y si tú has perdido algo que te ha alejado de Dios, o sea, si tú has perdido algo en tu vida, Dios puede restaurar todo lo que has perdido, porque Dios es Dios, lo que es difícil para nosotros es como nada para Dios, por eso la escritura dice y nos hacen la pregunta ¿habrá una cosa difícil para Dios? Claro que no ¿verdad? Él puede traer para atrás el corazón de los hijos a los padres y el corazón de los padres a los hijos ¿amén? Él puede restaurar relaciones que a veces nosotros decimos ya no tienen remedio, Él lo puede hacer ¿amén? Él lo puede hacer, sendas Dios hará donde piensas que no hay, Él abrirá el camino, Él abrirá la puerta que necesita ser abierta ¿amén? Número tres, las parábolas nos llaman al arrepentimiento y muchas parábolas confrontan el pecado y llaman a las personas a volver a Dios, Jesucristo usó varias parábolas como historias para mostrar la necesidad del arrepentimiento, el peligro de la hipocresía y

la importancia de una fe genuina y algunas parábolas obligan a los creyentes a tomar una decisión, una decisión espiritual para tener una relación espiritual con Dios, con Dios, hemos escuchado y yo mismo he dicho que hoy es el día de salvación ¿lo has escuchado verdad? ¿Por qué decimos eso? Porque nadie nos garantiza el día de mañana, yo puedo salir de este lugar o alguien me puede matar o puedo chocar o un accidente pasa y ya está ahí sabes Dios te ama y ama a todo ser humano y es por eso que decimos que cuando hay la oportunidad de venir al altar y rendir tu vida al Señor para que desde ese día te salve, te cambie, te transforme es porque Dios te está hablando en ese momento y en ese tiempo, la garantía de que nosotros vamos a vivir un año, dos años, tres años es inválida, es inválida pero la garantía de que si morimos en Cristo estaremos en el cielo. Amen? Esa es una garantía que nadie podrá falsificar. Es una garantía segura que podemos confiar en Dios. Amén? Muchos piensan lo siguiente. Ahorita no tengo tiempo para Dios. Cuando sea viejo, me entrego a Dios. Estoy joven y quiero gozar de la vida. Lo hago ya cuando sea adulto. Estoy rico y no necesito la ayuda de Dios. Lo tengo todo. Tengo comida, tengo vestimiento, tengo hogar, tengo carro, tengo un trabajo, tengo familia, no necesito nada. Bueno, escuchen lo siguiente. Lucas capítulo 12. Lucas capítulo 12. Versículo 13. Está conmigo Lucas capítulo 12 versículo 13. Y vamos, le dijo uno de la multitud. Maestro, di a mi hermano que parta conmigo la herencia. Mas él dijo, hombre, ¿quién me ha puesto sobre ustedes como juez o partidor? Y les dijo, mirar y guardaos de toda avaricia, porque la vida del hombre no consiste en la abundancia de los bienes que posee. También les refirió una parábola diciendo, la heredad de un hombre rico había producido mucho. Y él pensaba dentro de sí diciendo, ¿qué haré? Porque no tengo donde guardar mis frutos. Y dijo, esto haré. Derribaré mis graneros y los edificaré mayores y allí guardaré todos mis frutos y mis bienes y diré a mi alma, alma, muchos bienes tienes guardados para muchos años. Repósate, come, bebe, regocíjate. Pero Dios le dijo, necio, esta noche vienen a pedirte tu alma y lo que has provisto, ¿de quién será? Así es el que hace para sí tesoro y no es rico para con Dios. Hope dijo, Jehová quitó, Jehová dio, sea bendito el nombre de Jehová. Ustedes saben la

historia. Todo se le fue quitado. Y cuando quedó su esposa, aún su esposa le dijo, muérete ya, mira cómo estás, maldice a tu Dios. Sabes, si nosotros tenemos todo lo suficiente, necesitamos de Dios todavía. Y necesitamos hacer con lo que tenemos obras buenas. Si nosotros miramos que necesitan a alguien una ayuda, hay que hacerlo. Amén. No pensemos en nosotros mismos y seamos arrogantes de acumular riquezas, acumular posesiones, más y más y más y más. A veces mi esposa le gustan las yardas y eso. Y dice, vamos ahí. Y yo a veces le digo, no, ¿pa' qué necesitas eso? Ya tienes alma, ¿verdad? Nomás estoy dando un ejemplo, pues. No para que me castigue esa rata, perdón. Nuestra vida sin Dios no vale mucho. Pero nuestra vida en las manos de Dios vale mucho más que los tesoros de todo el mundo. Si tú tienes todo lo suficiente y deseas más y más, cuídate. Número cuatro. Las parábolas enseñan principios para la vida cristiana. Hermanos, las parábolas nos enseñan cómo debe vivir, cómo debemos vivir como verdaderos discípulos de Cristo. ¿Han leído la Escritura? Toma tu cruz y sígueme Sí, verdad No, es literalmente tomar esa cruz y ponerla y seguir a dios no Es tomar nuestra responsabilidad como hijos de dios que seamos que Nosotros los que nos nos disciplinamos nuestra vida para poder seguir a dios Hay muchas personas que todavía no quieren hacer discípulos Dicen no yo no sé enseñar yo no sé esto yo no sé el otro sabes que Si sabes Si te pones a estudiar la biblia tú sabes si te pones a dar si vienes aquí cada domingo tú sabes Tú sabes Todo se puede en las manos del señor o sea pablo no hubiera dicho todo lo puedo en cristo que me fortalece El supo tener y no tener en Angustia en hambre en sed todo pasó o sea muchas cosas pasó en Y de todos modos el pudo decir todo lo puedo en cristo que me fortalece amén que me fortalece Como verdaderos discípulos jesús nos ha llamado a amar al prójimo A perdonar como él nos ha perdonado a servir a otros como él nos ha enseñado a ser fieles a dios hasta la muerte y nos demostró cómo vivir

humildemente y sobre todo cómo perseverar en nuestra fe en dios Ahora tomemos el tiempo para leer las parábolas porque en ellas encontramos aplicaciones prácticas para la vida diaria También Tan cansados A ver ponganse de pie un ratito Pónganse de pie estirarse un ratito por favor Pueden sentarse Es bonito Poder aprender de dios y de su palabra Y si no fuera por dios Si no fuera por su palabra nosotros nunca nos daríamos cuenta del propósito que dios tiene para nuestras vidas En el libro de mateo capítulo 25 Vayan ahí por favor Número 5 va en ahí número 5 y terminamos con lo siguiente Las parábolas nos advierten acerca del juicio venidero Hoy tenemos a jesucristo Como nuestro abogado Primera de juan capítulo 2 versículo 1 al 2 ahí te vas a dar cuenta que tenemos abogado para con el padre Si hemos pecado abogado tenemos Dice hijitos míos estas cosas Desescribo para que no peques y si alguno viene a pecado abogado tenemos para con el padre a jesucristo el justo y él es la Propiciación por nuestros pecados y no solamente por los nuestros sino también por los de todo el mundo Es su cristo es el mediador entre dios y el hombre no hay otro nombre bajo el cielo que podamos ser salvos por eso no hay otro no hay otra persona que nos pueda que

Representar delante del padre sino solamente jesús El es nuestro abogado hoy Y cuando el fin del tiempo se llegue al fin del mundo va a ser el juez que va a juzgar están de acuerdo Un día él volverá para juzgar a todo el mundo como juez y que los personas que no se hayan arrepentido cuando él regrese no van a tener la oportunidad de ser señor perdóname no Va a ser muy tarde va a ser muy tarde Por eso dios hoy manda todos los hombres que se arrepientan de sus pecados Y si jesucristo no ha venido todavía es porque todavía la palabra de dios tiene que cumplir amén Dice la escritura que dios es paciente para con todos para mí con todos No queriendo que nadie me perezca y no todos lleguemos al conocimiento de su hijo amado Jesucristo si dice la escritura es fácil decir Jesús ven si ven yo soy salvo pero que mi familia mis familiares mis amigos mis amistades es bonito decir ven señor ven no nos olvidemos que dios es amor pero también tengamos por seguro que el es juego consumidor el dará a cada quien lo que merece no te va a dar más ni menos te va a dar lo que mereces a mí no me va a dar más ni menos nada me va a dar lo que yo merezco Mateo capítulo 25 dice lo siguiente vamos a leer el versículo 1 en adelante capítulo 25 versículo 1 adelante dice y habla sobre la parábola de las diez vírgenes entonces el reino de los cielos será semejante a diez vírgenes que tomando sus lámparas salieron a recibir al esposo cinco de ellas eran prudentes y cinco insensatas las insensatas tomando sus lámparas no tomaron consigo aceite más las prudentes tomaron aceite en sus vasijas y juntamente con sus lámparas

y tardándose el esposo cabecearon todas y se durmieron nosotros como iglesia somos la esposa de cristo y dice versículo 6 y a la media noche se oyó un clamor aquí viene el esposo salir a recibirle entonces todas aquellas vírgenes se levantaron y arreglaron sus lámparas y las insensatas dijeron a las prudentes dadnos de vuestro aceite porque nuestras nuestras lámparas se apagan algo importante tú puedes ser el ejemplo para alguien para tu familia para tus hijos pero al final ellos tienen que decidir por sí mismos amén cuando estemos delante de dios yo no podré decirle a dios perdona a mi familiar déjalo entrar al reino no porque ese familiar tiene que ser por sí mismo amén tiene que ser por sí mismo yo le puedo aconsejar le puedo decir cércate a dios arrepiéntete le da entrega tu vida al señor siga el paso del señor para que esté listo para cuando él venga tú estés listo y te vayas con él pero sabes por eso es tan importante tener una relación con dios individualmente y cada uno de nosotros tenemos que tener una relación individualmente amén no hay de que yo soy salvo ya nada en toda mi familia ya no tiene que hacer nada van a ser salvos a veces a veces a hay personas que agarran la escritura las tomen la fuerza con el carcelero que Pablo y Silas el carcelero temiendo de que ellos bien escapado en la cárcel si quiso quitar la vida y entonces ellos dije parale no te quitas la vida aquí estamos todos los prisioneros y él dijo señores que tengo que hacer para ser salvo bueno ellos le dijeron que en el señor Jesucristo será salvo tu casa o sea es una promesa amén de que la salvación llegará a su casa a su familia pero su familia tiene que creer también qué dice la escritura que todos se

creyeron todos se bautizaron y siguieron el camino de dios eso está en hechos capítulo 16 si quieres leerlo hechos capítulo 16 pero perdóname mi esposa cuando estemos delante del señor si tú no estás lista te vas a quedar o si yo no estoy listo me voy a quedar es la realidad por eso cada uno de nosotros tenemos la responsabilidad uno mismo de cultivar y permanecer en relación con dios amén victor tú no podrás decir papá sálvame ya cuando jesús venga tú lo estás haciendo hoy y gloria a dios por lo que estás por lo que está haciendo hoy ya es aceptado de jesucristo y ya está siguiendo a jesús mantente en el camino del señor he only speaks english huh victor your dad's not gonna save you at the end of the times if you don't come if you don't maintain yourself in the Lord in his path in relationship with God when Jesus comes and you present yourself before Jesus and your dad's there you can't say dad save me no because you're gonna have to be responsible for your own actions right so glory to God that you're in the you're in the path of the Lord and that you accepted the Lord continue to follow him amen and never look look back or never do anything that's going to hurt your relationship with God amen nunca podemos burlar nos de dios porque no sabe todo vamos a patras a la escritura pero para mí él lo sabe todo y mucho menos podremos en escondernos de dios porque él está en todo lugar la vida dice que él es omnipresente omnisciente y omnipotente omni omnipotente tiene todo poder omnisciente lo sabe todo y omnipresente está en todo lugar amen si tú estás en el camino del señor y estás dependiendo de las oraciones de alguien más es tiempo de parar de depender de alguien más es tiempo de que tú hagas por ti mismo y empiezas a orar a dios empiezas a cultivar tu relación

con dios amen porque no para siempre va a estar esa persona que va a ser que te está ayudando tenemos que hacer por nosotros mismos amen por nosotros mismos dice entonces todas aquellas vírgenes se levantaron y arreglaron sus lámparas y las incensantas dijeron a las prudentes danos de nuestro aceite o sea danos aceite porque nuestras lámparas se apagan más las prudentes respondieron diciendo para que nos falta para que no nos falte a nosotras y a ustedes vayan ustedes a los que venden y compren para ustedes mismas amén pero mientras ellas iban a comprar vino el desposo y las que estaban preparadas entraron en él a las bodas y se cerró la puerta después vinieron también las otras vírgenes diciendo señor señor abrenos mas el respondiendo dijo de cierto os digo que no os conozco velar pues porque no sabéis el día ni la hora en que el hijo del hombre ha de venir participamos en la cena del señor en memoria de lo que jesús hizo pero en el último versículo que leímos en primer corintios ahí capítulo 11 dice que que también el regresará amén tenemos que estar preparados y listos debemos velar cada día hay un dicho y lo digo yo también y lo aplico que vivamos el día que vivimos como si fuera el último día en este mundo amén como si fuera el último y no todo el que me dice señor señor dice jesús entrará en el cielo sino todos aquellos que hacen la voluntad del padre cuál es la voluntad del padre de que tú y yo mantengamos una relación con él a través de su hijo amén And his will is to have a relationship with us. Let's read some parables of the reality of the final judgment. We're almost done.

A. The fishing net. Matthew chapter 13, verse 47. The kingdom of heaven is like a net that is cast into the sea to catch all kinds of fish. And once it is full, they take it out to the shore, and sitting down, they catch the good in baskets, and the bad they throw out. This is how it will be at the end of the century. The angels will come out and set aside the bad from among the righteous, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire. There will be the weeping and the crying of teeth. B. The ten virgins. We read it, right? Each of us has to be ready and prepared. Enough of asking for someone else's oil. Put oil in your own lamp. Submit to the Holy Spirit and be filled with the Spirit of God. And get ready. Get ready. So that when Jesus calls you from this world to his presence, we have nothing to be ashamed of. Jesus did not make an exception of people, nor did he make loners. He has established a body and a church here in this world. What for? To reach humanity, like you and me, and like everyone else out there. Amen? Let us never forget where God brought us from. Sometimes we have everything in life, everything is going well, and we forget that one day we were nothing. We were nothing. Behave as you should behave. Whether you have it or not, give glory to God. And if you have glory to God, share it. Amen? Share it. But never forget where God brought you from.

Where God brought you from, and cleansed you, and transformed you. Amen? Never forget. Don't believe too much, because you know, that is arrogance. And God will punish the arrogance of the heart. Be sure that God will punish it. Amen? Because I am not better than you, you are not better than me. We are equal before the eyes of God, and he loves us all equally. Amen? That is why the scripture says that God does not make exceptions for people. He sent his Son to die for the whole world. Yes or no, says the scripture, because in this way God loved the world. He has given his only begotten Son, so that all who believe in him do not be lost, but have eternal life. Right? Amen? Verse 31 Are you happy? Yes? Amen. Verse 31 Then he will sit on his throne of glory, and all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will set aside one from the other, as the shepherd sets aside the sheep from the lambs, and he will put the sheep on his right, and the lambs on his left. Is that what it says there? Then the king will say to those on his right, Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, because I was hungry, and you gave me food.

I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a foreman, and you picked me up. I was naked, and you covered me. I was sick, and you dressed me. I was in prison, and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry, and we gave you food? y te dimos de beber, y cuando te vimos forastero y te recogimos o desnudo y te cubrimos, o cuando te vimos enfermo en la cárcel y vinimos a ti. Y respondiendo el rey les dirá, de cierto os digo que en cuanto lo hicieron a uno de estos mis hermanos más pequeños, a mí lo hicieron. Entonces dirán también a los de la izquierda, apártense de mí malditos al fuego eterno preparado para el diablo y sus ángeles, porque tuve hambre y no me distes de comer. Tuve sed y no me diste de beber. Fui forastero y no me recogistes. Estuve desnudo y no me cubriste. Enfermo y en la cárcel y no me visitaste. Entonces también ellos le responderán diciendo, Señor, cuando te vimos hambriento, sediento, forastero, desnudo o enfermo o en la cárcel y no te servimos. Entonces les responderá diciendo, de cierto os digo que en cuanto no lo hicieron a uno de estos más pequeños, tampoco a mí, lo hicieron. Irán estos al castigo eterno y los justos a la vida eterna. En el mundo hay muchas oportunidades de que tú puedas hacer Jesús en el momento oportuno. Amén. Yo puedo ser Jesús. Tú puedes ser Jesús que estás en el Señor a una persona. Porque a mí cuando Dios envió al predicador ahí en la cárcel, no fue Jesús el que me dijo, cree en mí, yo te, ya, fue que un hombre de Dios que Dios usó, ¿sí o no? ¿Verdad que sí? Y me predicó el evangelio y me alcanzó. Me alcanzó Dios por medio de ese predicador. Ese es, el predicador era la herramienta que Dios usó para salvarme. Amén. Apúntate a ti y di, yo soy Jesús en este mundo. Porque yo soy el cuerpo de Cristo. Y soy la iglesia de Cristo. ¿Sabes? Tú tienes todo lo que necesitas. En tus manos estás en el Señor. Ayuda al pobre. Ayuda al necesitado. Ayuda a las viudas. Ayuda a los huérfanos. Haz tu obra. Amén. Haz tu obra. Como buen hijo o hija de Dios que eres. No te olvides. No te olvides. De dar lo que has recibido. Amén. Pónganse de pie. Y yo quiero que todos pasen para adelante, por favor. Y voy a pedir a mi esposa que me ayude a orar, por favor. Hermano Luis, por favor, me ayudas. ¿Sí? Mi esposa. Quiero que los hombres se pongan de este lado. Las mujeres de este lado, por favor.

Mi esposa y mi hermana van a orar por las mujeres. Y yo y mi hermano Luis vamos a orar por los hombres. ¿Amén? Y yo no sé qué Dios quiere que tú hagas para que alcances a las personas. Pero yo sí sé algo. De que todos podemos hacer algo. ¿Amén? Tú no eres inútil. Eres útil. Tú sirves en las manos de Dios. ¿Amén? Tú puedes hacer mucho. Aunque no lo creas, tú lo puedes hacer. ¿Amén? Y muchos de ustedes tienen mucho que dar, porque ya han recibido mucho de Dios. Vamos a ir en oración. Ustedes que están mirando en la prisión, ayúdenme a orar también. Y si tú en este día también necesitas oración, voy a hacer oración por ustedes también. Ustedes también que están ahí en esa prisión, en esa cárcel. ¿Amén? Go ahead. Oren. ¿Amén? Ora, Luis, por ellos. Ustedes cierren sus ojos y reciban. ¿Amén? Primeramente voy a orar por los que están en las prisiones, en Pando, en Idobo, mirándonos ahorita. Y luego voy a orar por los hombres. Junto con mi hermano Luis. Tu puedes empezar Luis. Para en el nombre de Jesucristo. Te pido mi Dios por aquel hombre. Aquella mujer que esta mirando en Pando en Idobo. Que estan en esa condicion ahorita en la que estan. Alli detras de una pantalla. Mirando en una tableta este servicio. Te pido en el nombre de Jesucristo. Que tu les ayudes mi Dios. A poder ser usados por ti Señor. Para que tu mi Dios hagas cosas grandes y poderosas en sus vidas. Aun alli en esa prision. En esa celda donde estan ahorita Señor. Para en el nombre de Jesucristo. Te pido mi Dios con todo mi corazon Señor Jesucristo. Que el testimonio de sus vidas sea una historia. Que ellos y ellas puedan usar como parabola. Para alcanzar a alguien que tu pones en su camino. Te lo pido en el nombre poderoso de Jesucristo. Y en este momento Padre Celestiano. Te pido Señor con todo mi corazon. Bendito Dios.

Que tu empiezas a tocar a esas personas que estan alli. En esos lugares en las prisiones. En el nombre de Jesucristo. Yo te puedo decir hermano y hermana en Cristo. Que estas alli. Que has entregado tu vida al Señor. Dios tiene cosas grandes para tu vida. Y el quiere usarte. Que tu seas un instrumento util. Para enseñar a otros el camino de Dios. En el nombre de Jesucristo. Amen. Me envuelve tu presencia. Solo quiero estar ante tus pies. Me envuelve este momento santo. Y no me quiero ir. No busco bendiciones. No. Cristo no me debes nada a mi. Mas que lo que tu puedas hacer. Te quiero a ti. Si Señor. Lo siento. Por andar por sentimientos. Lo siento. Por cantar sin adorar. Quiero comenzar de nuevo. Abro mi corazon a ti. Lo siento. Cuando tengo mi agenda.

Lo siento. Cuando olvido quien es tu. Quiero comenzar de nuevo. Abro mi corazon a ti. Me envuelve tu presencia. Solo quiero estar ante tus pies. Me envuelve este momento santo. Y no me quiero ir. No busco bendiciones. No. Cristo no me debes nada a mi. Mas que lo que tu puedas hacer. Te quiero a ti. Te quiero a ti. Y nada mas. Y nada mas. Nada bastara. Te quiero a ti. Y nada mas. Y nada mas. Nada bastara. Te quiero a ti. Y nada mas. Y nada mas. Nada bastara. Te quiero a ti. Y nada mas. Y nada mas. Nada bastara. Te quiero a ti, y nada más, y nada más, nada bastará,

me envuelve tu presencia. Solo quiero estar ante tus pies, me envuelve este momento santo, y no me quiero ir. No busco bendiciones, no, Cristo no me debes nada a mí, más de lo que tú puedas hacer, te quiero a ti. Te quiero a ti, y nada más, y nada más, nada bastará, te quiero a ti. Y nada más, y nada más, nada bastará, te quiero a ti. Y nada más, y nada más, nada bastará, te quiero a ti. Y nada más, y nada más, nada bastará, te quiero a ti. Gracias, Señor. No hay nada más en este mundo que quiero, Dios. Nomás a ti, Jesús. Gracias, Señor. Te quiero, te quiero a ti. Te quiero, te quiero a ti. Me envuelve tu presencia. Solo quiero estar ante tus pies, me envuelve este momento santo, y no me quiero ir. No busco bendiciones, Cristo no me debes nada a mí, más de lo que tú puedas hacer, te quiero a ti.

Gracias, Padre. Pero ayúdanos a mantenernos firmes en nuestra fe, Señor, y sabiendo, Mi Dios, que el mundo te odió a ti primero antes que nosotros, Señor. Pero te pedimos, Señor, que tú nos ayudes a confiar en Ti, porque tú dijiste, Señor, que tú venciste al mundo, Señor, y porque tú venciste, nosotros también podemos vencer todo lo que hay en el mundo, Señor, en el nombre poderoso de Jesucristo. Te damos gracias, Mi Dios, por todo lo que has hablado en nuestra vida, Señor, y ayúdanos, Mi Dios, a guardar la palabra que ha sido sembrada en nuestro corazón hoy, Señor Jesucristo, que cuando salgamos de este lugar, pero nunca de tu presencia, que siempre nosotros meditemos en lo que hemos aprendido, Señor. need always in your back at one of those companies look at that in the most part and it's to do that in a number of issues to be the same you're going to be shown but you know you need us to send to speak to us that we just got a kiosk is that i mean under the impounding noble and a number of issues to demonstrate controls to start a key percentage but it you tell us that as we do this in a number for the most of the cases for the plus was in your amen if you like this content that we're doing this is a pretty good way to share with your family is this same video

is on our youtube channel yes so they can find us call your family call your relatives your neighbor whoever it is that you call or write letters to and let them know that they can find our content on house of rest church on youtube and also they can check out our website at www.houseofrestchurch.com let them know guys that there's a lot of content for them to look at we have devotionals daily devotionals which are monday through friday and uh... guys we have our sermons as well as so much content for them to look at as well and uh... we have our services which are ten o'clock every sunday morning and then we have our bible studies uh... which are wednesdays at seven o'clock whatever video we're uploading to you we're also uploading to the youtube channel that way you can tell your friends your family that way they can watch exactly what it is that you're watching so thank you so much and uh... see you guys later bye guys