Araullo university

College of law
ALTERnative dispute resolution

Youth Service: A Reaction paper

That in all things, may God be glorified.

I can scarcely remember the last time I had attended Victory Christian Fellowships Youth Service; it
must have been over a decade ago when they were holding services at the Insular Building. When I was in
High School, Youth Services (then called Youth Jams) were held every Friday afternoon. Being around
mostly high school and college students made me feel old and somewhat out of place, but the centre was
buzzing with youthful vibe and contagious energy that it negated my initial feelings of alienation. It was
great seeing the youth lead the music ministry tonight, it reminded me of the time when I, too, was once
part of the ministry. I was also pleased to see my friend, Pastor Jeff Roque, preach tonight with such
enthusiasm that I rarely witness when he preaches in Sunday Service.
I was struck with what Ena Tablang said in her message before the giving of the tithes. She quoted
Matth 7:7-8 which says Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be
opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the
door will be opened. I was struck because I had been praying very hard to God for the past couple of days
to help me with my problem regarding my incomplete grade in this subject. I prayed with fervour, and He
answered like He always does. God is good all the time.
The topic for tonight was the second coming of Jesus Christ. Indeed no one knows when that day will
come, because even Jesus said in Acts 1:5-7 that It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father
has set by his own authority so we must prepare ourselves spiritually for that happening. In connection
with this, Pastor Jeff added that how you view the future determines how you live your life today.
Our God is a God of justice, this was established during the sermon. Pastor Jeff quoted Revelation
20:11-15 which talks about the book of life and Gods final judgment on both the living and the dead, and
whether the latter will undergo a second death by being thrown off into the lake of fire. Hearing this
reminded me just how true it is that our rules of law are founded on the divine law.

Another topic that was touched tonight was how some Christians deviate from the path after
committing sin. The devil uses a three-tier strategy, Pastor Jeff says, which leads a Christian to stray from
the trail. I myself have been guilty of this numerous times. Ive found myself sinning, then skipping two to
three consecutive weeks of Sunday Service because I felt that I was not fit to attend, having sinned despite
calling myself a Christian. Temptation is the first weapon that the devil fires, making us want to sin in spite
of knowing that it is not right. Secondly, the devil condemns us for committing such sin, making us feel that
we are hypocrites thus alienating ourselves from our spiritual family. Lastly, the devil accuses us, crushes
us if we are not spiritually strong enough to combat its unrelenting attacks. Pastor Jeff addresses this by
quoting Revelation 12:10, which states Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of
our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them
before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
By the end of the service, it was announced that tonight would be the last youth service held before
it resumes again on June. It was somewhat bittersweet that my first time to attend a youth service again
after such a long time would turn out to be the last time it would be held for this school year.

Cris Adrey R. Adriano