Watergames 2012

The SMO-BTI faculty, staff, and students took a day break for some fun activity at the pool of Sta. Fe Resort for the Watergames 2012 last February 27. Everyone was competitive during the group games. Pastor Ritchemar Macoy gave the message.

 

Christmas 2011

Students and the Faculty and Staff of SMO Bible Training Institute had fun during the Christmas Fellowship held last December, 2011 at the SMO Youth Center as each one wore Christmas-themed costumes. The message was given by Rev. Fred Jagorin. The rest of the day was filled with presentations and fun games.

 

Hold Fast to the Form of Sound Words

(Engr. Xerwin Ceballos, SMO Chair, gave this challenge to the graduates during the SMO-BTI 7th Commencement Exercises).

Sound words in the language of Paul do not refer to the nice sounding rhetoric of his day that put the audience up to their feet in applause. Rather, sound words refer to the gospel truth and the doctrines surrounding it (see contrast in 1 Tim. 6.3 and 2 Tim 4.3). This is what Paul wanted Timothy to entrust to faithful men who are able to teach others also.

As the graduates leave the portals of an institution that seeks to clarify and apply the gospel, it is but just fitting to charge these young men and women to hold fast to the form of sound words.

How do we keep our grip strong to these sound words? The passage in consideration shows what God demands of us and what God does for us. Every point is a pair that highlights our active trust and God’s dynamic gracious work.

1. GROW IN THE GOSPEL, FOR GOD GRANTS US GIFTS

“…fan into flame the gift of God… for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control”. (1.6-7)

Fan into flame what God has given you for the equipping of His saints in the ministry He gives you. The source of your gift is God and it is He who will empower you.

For Timothy, having been entrusted as an elder in the church of Ephesus is no small task for a young minister. Paul therefore reminds him to fan into flame the gift of God (1.6). Although we cannot be very sure of this gift, we know full well that this is God’s gracious means of equipping Timothy.

Two things can be noted here. First, every spiritual gift God has given you is Gospel-rooted. It has come to you by way of the cross and the precious purchasing blood of our Savior. Second, with whatever gift God has given you, you should develop it, hone it, and use it. A spiritual gift may be left dormant in a heart that does not seek the will of God. A spiritual gift does not naturally bring fruits unless you continually use it for God.

God has not given you a spirit of cowardice but of power; not the power to be assertive but the courage blended with love and spiritual wisdom (1.7). Use Your gift as a means to be dependent on God’s working in your own life and in the ministry He has given you. Never become too busy with the ministry at the expense of your time with Jesus, your Master.

2. GROAN FOR THE GOSPEL, FOR GOD GIVES US GRACE

…share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace… for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher,
which is why I suffer as I do. (1.8-9, 11-12)

Nothing can be more candid than this, Paul says—share in the suffering for the gospel. You will never be spared of the suffering that is inherently bound in the gospel. Not that the gospel is to bring suffering but that its message is not naturally acceptable and palatable to sinful men, thus, rebellious reactions are expected.

Paul makes it very clear to Timothy that the soul’s anchor for this expected suffering is the certainty of God’s call which is born from grace and is sustained by grace. It is God who called you and appointed you by His purpose and grace.

Remember that God has called you first, to be, then to do. It is only when the gospel truth takes deep roots in your own soul can the sufferings that are bound by it can be withstood and even received with joy.

3. GUARD THE GOSPEL, FOR GOD IS OUR GARRISON

But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.  By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. (1.12-14)

Why guard? With all that the gospel is, you guard it in a way that you will not fall into creating another gospel, unconsciously it may be, in order to please those you minister to. There is always a temptation to water down the truths of God to keep a number of people within your ranks. You may start with good intentions to reach out to others but take heed that the methodologies you use will not rise above the power of the message.

Hold fast and continue in the pattern of sound words. This charge is packed between two great reassuring truths of God’s keeping power, a garrison if you will. Paul is convinced that God is reliably trustworthy to keep that which you entrusted to Him from the moment you have entered into a relationship with Jesus until that Day when He comes back to take you upon Himself (KJV reading of verse 12). A variant reading of verse 12 states that the same God is reliably trustworthy to keep that which He entrusted to you, that is, a specific ministry as your avenue to proclaim the excellency of our Lord Jesus until He comes back. How encouraging these thoughts are! God keeps you and the ministry he gives you. And by the Holy Spirit who is within you, the very guarantee and seal of your salvation, you will be able to guard the precious gospel truth.

 

SMO-BTI Holds 7th Commencement Exercises

Four students of SMO Bible Training Institute (SMO-BTI) graduated in their respective courses and were acknowledged during the 7^th Commencement Exercises held on March 29, 2011 at SMO Youth Center in Bacolod City.

Pastor Elmer Genol, Dean of Academics and Mrs. Nenita del Mundo, Dean of Students presented and confirmed to the public Jeric Otordos and Jake Quinosa, graduates of Bachelor of Theology in Youth and Church Ministry, and Saskia Antiquenio and Ryan Ares Montero, graduates of Youth Worker’s Certificate.  Outstanding students were also honoured during the ceremony.

SMO Board Chair, Engr. Xerwin Ceballos, gave a message focusing on this year’s theme, “Hold Fast the Form of Sound Words,” taken from 2 Tim. 1:13.

Here are the testimonies of two of the graduates:

The Lord has really prepared me well to be in Bible school.

I have been active in campus ministry of SMO in high school in Naga City and the moment I was given an invitation to study at SMO-BTI, I knew it was a confirmation from God of what has been my desire.

During the four years of my training in this institute, I learned three very important things: First, the sound and solid teaching of Christian doctrine became foundational in my personal growth and eventually in the ministry the Lord has entrusted to me. Second, I learned to value the importance of living the most of your life in a day for His glory. And third, the institute developed in me firmness in decision-making.  – Jeric Otordos

I know I was right in my decision to be enrolled at SMO-BTI. Here, I can see how the Word of God is really valued. Having been taught well of the Scriptures and the doctrines that spring from it has inspired me well to be a faithful student of God’s Word. I thank God for the teachers who have been patient with me in explaining carefully and exemplifying what is being taught in the Word in their personal lives.  – Jake Quinosa