RLCC Sunday Sermons

“Puso.”It’s more than a chant. More than emotion. More than passion.From the roar of Gilas Pilipinas to the quiet decisions we make every day, the idea of “heart” shapes how we live, choose, and believe. But what happens when we define it the wrong way? And why does this way of thinking seem inspiring—yet leave so many people empty, stuck, or broken?This reflection takes a deeper look at what puso really means, why simply “following your heart” may not be the answer, and what kind of transformation truly leads to a meaningful life.

“Puso.”Hindi lang ito sigaw. Hindi lang emosyon. Hindi lang damdamin.Mula sa laban ng Gilas Pilipinas hanggang sa mga desisyong ginagawa natin araw-araw, malaki ang papel ng “puso” sa kung paano tayo mamuhay, pumili, at maniwala. Pero paano kung mali ang pagkaunawa natin dito? At bakit tila maganda at nakaka-inspire ang ideyang ito, pero sa huli ay nag-iiwan ng maraming taong pagod, litó, at wasak?Sa pagninilay na ito, mas lalalim ang ating pagtingin sa tunay na kahulugan ng puso, kung bakit hindi sapat ang basta “sumunod sa nararamdaman,” at kung ano ang klaseng pagbabago na humahantong sa isang makabuluhang buhay.

We live in a world full of reminders, yet it’s still easy to forget what truly matters. Forgetting often happens quietly and without intention—especially when our attention is divided.This message reflects on Hebrews 2:1–4 and a subtle spiritual danger many believers face today. It invites us to examine where our focus has shifted and why it’s important to realign our minds with the truth of the Gospel as we enter a new year.A short reflection. A timely reminder. A call to refocus.

Nabubuhay tayo sa mundong punô ng paalala, ngunit madali pa ring makalimot sa mga bagay na tunay na mahalaga. Kadalasan, ang pagkalimot ay dahan-dahan at hindi sinasadya—lalo na kapag hati ang ating atensyon.Ang mensaheng ito ay nagmumula sa Hebrews 2:1–4 at tumatalakay sa isang tahimik na panganib na kinakaharap ng maraming mananampalataya. Inaanyayahan tayong suriin kung saan napunta ang ating pokus at kung bakit mahalagang ibalik ang ating isip sa katotohanan ng Ebanghelyo, lalo na sa pagsisimula ng bagong taon.Isang maikling pagninilay. Isang napapanahong paalala. Isang panawagan na muling magpokus.

The Hope of the WorldBy Ptr. Bong Baylon IntroductionMost of us carry some kind of longing, even during Christmas time. For some, it’s a longing for peace—because life has been noisy and heavy. For others, it’s a longing for healing, direction, forgiveness, or simply rest. Even in a season full of lights and songs, we can feel that something is still missing. So, we long for that “something” even during Christmas time.That longing is not a weakness. It’s a clue. It reminds us that we were made for more than what this world can give.In Luke 2:22-40, we see two old people longing for God to keep His promise. They’ve been waiting a long time. One day in the temple, they discovered something life-changing: the answer to their longing was right there in front of them—a six-week-old baby named Jesus.Tonight we can say this with confidence: Jesus is the hope of the world. Why? Our longings are not answered by ideas or rituals—but by a Person.Two Reasons1. Jesus lived the life we could not live (vv.22-24, 39-40).Explanation: From the very beginning, Jesus walked in perfect obedience to God—what we could never fully do on our own. That’s why His righteousness has become our righteousness by grace through faith. He obeyed where we failed—so that His obedience could be credited to us.Application: When you trust in Jesus, you no longer need to be afraid of failing God. There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.2. Jesus gives the life we long to live (vv.25-38).Explanation: Jesus is God’s salvation—hope, peace, and light—not just promised, but present and personal, and not just for Israel, but for the whole world. Simeon didn’t see a program or a political solution—he saw a Person.Application: By faith in Jesus, we can experience the life that is truly life. He now lives in us through the Holy Spirit to experience the God-kind of life.ConclusionJesus lived the life we could not live. Jesus gives the life we long to live.This is why Christmas is the perfect time to tell people (and ourselves): “Jesus is the hope of the world.”Tonight, Jesus is not just the hope of the world—He can be your hope.DISCUSSIONWhat have you been longing for this Christmas? In what way is this longing pointing you to Jesus?How can Jesus fulfill your deepest longings, not just this Christmas but even toward the new year?What would it look like if Jesus fulfilled your deepest longings right now?

Karamihan sa atin ang tingin natin sa ating sarili ay ordinaryo lamang. Hindi tayo kapansin-pansin. Hindi tayo espesyal.Madalas inisip natin kumikilos lamang ang Diyos sa pamamagitan ng mga importanteng tao.

Christmas comes around every year with the same sights and sounds—but what happens when the season feels too familiar? When traditions blur into routine, we can lose something deeper: the expectation that God can still move in our lives.This message looks at a moment in Scripture where two ordinary people had faith, but had stopped hoping for something new—until God stepped into their story in an unexpected way. Their journey invites us to reflect on our own: Is it possible that God still has something surprising ahead, even when life feels predictable?Discover how the Christmas story can rekindle expectation, stir faith again, and remind us that our story isn’t finished.

Tuwing Pasko, pare-pareho ang mga tanawin at tunog—pero ano ang nangyayari kapag masyado nang pamilyar ang lahat? Kapag ang mga tradisyon ay nagiging routine, minsan may nawawala: ang paghihintay na may gagawin pang bago ang Diyos sa buhay natin.Tinutukoy ng mensaheng ito ang isang bahagi ng Kasulatan kung saan may dalawang taong may pananampalataya, pero tumigil nang umasa sa bago—hanggang sa biglang kumilos ang Diyos sa kanilang kwento sa hindi inaasahang paraan. Inaanyayahan din tayo ng kanilang karanasan na magtanong: Posible bang may sorpresa pa ang Diyos kahit kapag predictable na ang buhay?Tuklasin kung paano muling binubuhay ng kwento ng Pasko ang ating pag-asa, pinapalakas ang pananampalataya, at nagpapaalala na hindi pa tapos ang ating kwento.