The Importance of Prayer

"Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." Matthew 21:21

I - The Sin of Prayerlessness - Prayerlessness is sinful. "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray." ( 1 Samuel 11:23). "That men ought always ought to pray, and not faint." (Luke 18:1). It is practical atheism. Atheist don't believe in God. The only way to talk with God is through prayer. Prayerlessness robs us of many blessings. "Ye have not, because ye ask not." (James 4:2). Jesus always invites us to pray. An imperative command for us to pray. "Ask and it shall be given. Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8).

II - The Joy of Answered Prayer - There is power in confession. Our attitude in life should be one of confession and obedience. "I cried unto Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:10). Sin creates a roadblock to answered prayer. Sin offends our Holy God. Because God is Holy, He cannot ignore, excuse or tolerate sin as though it didn't matter. Sin cuts people off from Him. We must confess our sins, because He is faithful and just.

III - God's Answer Proved This Prayer Had Been Heard - Answers to prayer prove the importance of prayer. Answers to prayer prove God hears our prayer. Answers to prayer prove God's mercy toward us.

IV - God's Invitation to Prayer - "Call unto me." (Jeremiah 33:3). It is a privilege to pray directly to God. The promise of prayer is that God will answer our prayer. The power of prayer has great and mighty things. Prayer moves mountain. "Nothing shall be impossible to you." (Matthew 17:20).

(From Rev. Teofilito A. Rufon's Sunday Worship Message at Odiongan Baptist Church, Odiongan,Romblon)

Unlearned And Ignorant Men Who Changed The World

"We ought to obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29

Peter and John were "unlettered" men and "commoners" who changed the world through evangelism. They were uneducated and possess no official positions or special abilities yet loved and valued by many. But priests do clearly note that these men have their boldness and power.

1. These men had been with Jesus - They were "different" and righteous in a sinful world. If any one should be a disciple, he should not be adulterer, effeminate, abuser, thief, extortionist, fornicators because followers of Jesus are new creatures. They were also "daring" in the sense that they dare to take the right stand and dare to preach the Gospel. They were also "dedicated" because they "maintain their own ways before God."

2. These men knew the Holy Book - "Every christian should continuously be steadfast in the apostle's doctrine." (Acts 2:42). Many knows about science - but ignorant about God. Many knows about mathematics - but ignorant about the master. Many knows about politics - but ignorant about God's plan. Many knows about space (heavenly bodies) - but ignorant about grace (heavenly ways).

According to U.S. Prseident Abraham Lincoln: "Better to have a knowledge of Bible than other books." Here is an illustration:

One day a rich Dad took his son to a trip. He wanted to show how poor someone can be. They spent time on the farm of a poor family. On way home, Dad asked his son. "Did you see how poor they are?" "What did you see?" The son replied: "We have 1 dog, they have 4 dogs. We have pools, they have rivers. We have lantern, they have stars at night. We buy foods, they grow theirs. We have fence and walls to protect us, they have friends. We have encyclopedia, they have Bible." Then the boy added: " Thank you for showing me how poor we are."

3. These men were saved - "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12). These men could tell people how to get to heaven. These men could get rid of your sins. They will change your life.

(From Rev. Pastor Teofilito A. Rufon's Sunday Worship Message at Odiongan Baptist Church, Odiongan, Romblon)

The God of Impossible

"With God nothing shall be impossible." Luke 1:37

Impossible means -cannot be done. But with God all things are possible. " There is nothing too hard for God." ( Jeremiah 32:7).

1. We Must Be Confident - In Psalm 19:1 " the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handywork." One look at a star-filled sky is enough to convince us of God's convincing power, making impossible-possible. God is taking good care of us, His power, His love, and His care.
The Lord reigns...relax! - The strongest and safest protection we have is the name Jesus. The Lord will not forsake us. He is a saving name, a comforting name, a powerful name and and exalted name. "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). When you're feeling down or afraid,consider Jesus, commit all to the Lord and stop worrying.
2. All Things Are Not Hard For Jesus - Jesus asked a question to all of us: "Is there any thing too hard for me?" (Jeremiah 32:27). Jesus also answered this question: " With God nothing shall be impossible." (Luke 1:37). Therefore we must rely on Him because God's power is greater than our problems. God is stronger than our adversaries. God's power is greater than our sins. (Isaiah 1:18). The problem with people is....all his problems are brought to God's attention for help but not his SIN!!! The true miracle is "when a person's life is changed for the glory of God." When we surrender our life to God.

3. God Calls Us To Call Upon Him - "Call unto me and I will answer thee." (Jeremiah 33:3). God is extending His helping hand. The Lord's hand was not shortened. (Isaiah 59:1-2). God's power was not diminished. The problem wasn't with God but with people. If you continue your sins and iniquities...God will not hear you! If God seems so far away, guess who moved? People had moved to the place of unanswered prayer. Don't accuse God when you are the problem. If you don't surrender to Christ, you surrender to chaos. It is not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it. God speaks to those who take time to listen, and God listen to those who take time to pray. God's favorite word is "COME!" Our heavenly Father never takes anything from His children, unless He means to give them something better.

(From Rev. Teofilito A. Rufon's Sunday Worship Message at Odiongan Baptist Church, Odiongan, Romblon, Philippines)

"I Am Alpha and Omega"

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

The title "I am the Alpha and Omega" teaches us some great truth about Jesus. Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet and Omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet:

1. The Preexistence of Jesus Christ - Before Abraham had a beginning, Jesus was eternal. "Before Abraham was, I am." (John 8:58). "I am" - Greek word "eigo eimi" meaning eternal. This means God had been existing even before the creation of the universe. One of the most powerful words that Jesus said unto Moses is: "I am that I am." (Exodus 3:14). This word declares the Divinity of Jesus Christ. "And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist." (Colossians 1:17).
The lesson that we can get here is "All is nothing without Jesus in our lives." Creation, civilization and time had a beginning. Jesus had no beginning . He is the alpha, the beginning. That means we should start with Jesus because He is the fresh start! If you start with Jesus, you will end with Jesus! Your life begins in Jesus Christ.

2. The Preeminence of Jesus Christ - "In all things he might have the preeminence." (Colossians 1:16-18). He is you and I needs. Christ is the A to Z. He is everything. The Lord is number 1 in our life. St. Matthew told us to seek first His kingdom and all things shall be added unto us. A child cannot read without learning the ABCs. Jesus is the word that builds life. "In the beginning was the word and the word was God."

3. The Perpetualness of Christ - "I the Lord, the first, and with the last, I am He." (Isaiah 41:4). He is the only one who sees as clearly a hundred years from now as He saw a hundred years ago. When you are concerned about the future and the past, talk with God. "Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever." This means that without God - there will be no salvation.

(From Rev. Teofilito A. Rufon's Sunday Worship Message at Odiongan Baptist Church, Odiongan, Romblon, Philippines)

Psalm 23 and You and Me

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1)


A. The "Lord" - Lordship means we should take our place at the feet of Jesus Christ in absolute surrender by "sanctifying" the Lord God in our hearts. This means full submission to His authority, unquestioning obedience, and recognition of ownership.

B. Is "My" - Faith is a matter of personal salvation. Salvation is having a personal relation with God. It is your personal choice to be His child. It is your personal choice to be with Him.

C. "Shepherd" - We are like sheeps that have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6) . We are astray. But God is a good shepherd who died for us. He is the Great Shepherd who is risen for us. He is the Chief Shepherd who is coming for us. (1 Peter 5:4).

D. "I Shall Not Want" - God is enough. People cannot be satisfied. There is always seeking for new one. Seeking is a stirring absolute want. Jesus is the One thing for which we have been looking all over for me. As the song says:

There is a river, and it flows from deep within.
There is a fountain, that frees the soul from sin.
Come to this water, there is a vast supply.
There is a river, that never shall run dry.


(Rev. Teofilito Arevalo Rufon's Message during Sunday Worship Service at Odiongan Baptist Church Inc., Odiongan, Romblon, Philippines)