ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.): May 2018

Thursday, May 31, 2018

Falaite Sune 1, 2018

‘Oku taha, tapu, ta‘ehā mo faka‘aposetolo

(church – one, holy, catholic and apostolic)

Fehu‘i #48

Ko e hā ‘a e siasi?

‘Oku vahe‘i mo fakatolonga ‘e he ‘Otuá ha falukunga kakai ma‘ana, ko ha fa‘ahinga kuo fili ki he mo‘ui ta‘engatá pea fakatahataha‘i ‘i he tui pea ‘oku nau ‘ofa, muimui, ako mo lotu fakataha. ‘Oku fekau‘i atu kinautolu ‘e he ‘Otuá ke nau malanga‘i ‘a e koosipelí mo nau fakahaa‘i ‘a e pule‘anga ‘o Kalaisí ‘i he‘enau to‘onga mo‘uí mo ‘enau fe‘ofa‘akí.

What is the church?

God chooses and preserves for himself a community elected for eternal life and united by faith, who love, follow, learn from, and worship God together. God sends out this community to proclaim the gospel and prefigure Christ's kingdom by the quality of their life together and their love for one another.

2 TESALONAIKA 2:13

Ka ko kimautolu, ko ‘emau ngāue ke fai, ko e fakafeta‘i ma‘u ai pē ki he ‘Otua koe‘uhi ko kimoutolu, si‘i kāinga ‘ofeina ‘e he ‘Eiki, koe‘uhi ko e fili kimoutolu ‘e he ‘Otua mei he kamata‘anga, ke mou ma‘u ‘a e fakamo‘ui, ‘i he fakamā‘oni‘oni‘i kimoutolu ‘e he Laumālie, pea ‘i ho‘omou tui ki he mo‘oni.

2 THESSALONIANS 2:13

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

JOHN YATES

The ancient creeds describe the church as "one holy catholic and apostolic." It is one because the church is one body under one head. It is holy because the Holy Spirit indwells it and consecrates it, directing the members of the church in the work of God. It is catholic, meaning worldwide, proclaiming the whole apostolic faith to all people to the end of time. And it's apostolic. That means we continue the teaching and fellowship of the apostles, and we're sent out on Christ's mission to all people.

We don't choose who is going to be in the church, just as we have no say in who our brothers and sisters or cousins are. God chooses. Whatever particular denomination or group they may belong to, God's people are part of the church and our brothers and sisters.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Tu‘apulelulu Me 31, 2018

Falukunga kakai tōnunga, tōnunga ki he Folofolá

(faithful people, faithful to the Word)

Fehu‘i #48

Ko e hā ‘a e siasi?

What is the church?

2 TESALONAIKA 2:13

2 THESSALONIANS 2:13

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

JOHN YATES

In my tradition, the Anglican tradition, we have a statement of faith called the Thirty-Nine Articles. They describe the church this way:

“The local, visible church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men and women, in which the pure Word of God is preached and the Sacraments are duly ministered according to Christ's ordinance.

The church has no authority except in submission to Christ, and it is not lawful for the church to ordain anything that is contrary to God's Word written, and neither may it so expound one place of Scripture that it be repugnant to another."

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Pulelulu Me 30, 2018

Ko e komiunitī ‘o e kovinānite fo‘ou

(the community of the new covenant)

Fehu‘i #48

Ko e hā ‘a e siasi?

What is the church?

2 TESALONAIKA 2:13

2 THESSALONIANS 2:13

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

JOHN YATES

The church is the family of God. In the New Testament it's called the community of the new covenant. It's the body of which Christ is the Head. It's the bride of Christ. We're called a holy people, a holy nation, a royal priesthood. The church is the people who have been made God's children, adopted by God through Jesus Christ. And the church consists of all cultures, all ethnic groups, people across the ages, all those who have come to know Jesus Christ as Lord.

Monday, May 28, 2018

Tusite Me 29, 2018

Ke ke hangē tofu pe ko Kalaisí ‘i he loto siasí

(Be like Christ in the church)

Fehu‘i #48

Ko e hā ‘a e siasi?

What is the church?

2 TESALONAIKA 2:13

2 THESSALONIANS 2:13

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

Commentary - CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON

Take heed that you carry this into the church too.... Be like Christ in the church. How many there are of you.. seeking pre-eminence? How many are trying to have some dignity and power over their fellow Christians, instead of remembering that it is the fundamental rule of all our churches, that there all men are equal-alike brethren, alike to be received as such. Carry out the spirit of Christ, then, in your churches, wherever ye are; let your fellow members say of you, "He has been with Jesus."

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Monite Me 28, 2018

Tau fai ‘a e mo‘ui ‘a Kalaisí ke mamata ki ai ‘a mamani

(Let us exhibit Christ in the public eye)

Fehu‘i #48

Ko e hā ‘a e siasi?

What is the church?

2 TESALONAIKA 2:13

2 THESSALONIANS 2:13

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

Commentary - CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON

My brethren, let me say, be ye like Christ at all times. Imitate him in public. Most of us live in some sort of publicity; many of us are called to work before our fellow-men every day. We are watched; our words are caught; our lives are examined, taken to pieces. The

eagle-eyed, argus-eyed world observes everything we do, and sharp critics are upon us. Let us live the life of Christ in public. Let us take care that we exhibit our Master, and not ourselves-so that we can say, "It is no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me”

Saturday, May 26, 2018

Sapate Me 27, 2018

Ko e Kakai Fili ‘a e ‘Otua

(God’s community of the elect)

Fehu‘i #48

Ko e hā ‘a e siasi?

What is the church?

2 TESALONAIKA 2:13

2 THESSALONIANS 2:13

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

Friday, May 25, 2018

Tokonaki Me 26, 2018

Ko e talateu ‘o e tina ‘a e Lami

(a foretaste of the marriage supper of the Lamb)

Fehu‘i #47

‘Oku toe tanaki ‘e he ‘Ohomohe ‘a e ‘Eikí ha me‘a ki he ngaue na‘e fai ‘e Kalaisí ‘i he huhu‘í ?

‘Ikai, na‘e pekia tā tu‘o taha pe ‘a Kalaisi ma‘a kitautolu. Ko e ‘Ohomohe ‘a e ‘Eikí, ko e me‘atokoni kovinānite ke kātoanga‘i e ngaue huhu‘i ‘a Kalaisí; ‘oku tokoni ke fakamālohi‘i ‘etau tuí pea ke tau sio fakamama‘u kiate Ia, pea mo e talateu ‘o e katoanga ‘e fai ‘i langi. Ka ko kinautolu te nau kau ta‘e mālu‘ia ki he ouau ni, te nau kai mo inu ‘a e ha fakamaau kiate kinautolu.

Does the Lord's Supper add anything to Christ's atoning work?

No, Christ died once for all. The Lord's Supper is a covenant meal celebrating Christ's atoning work; as it is also a means of strengthening our faith as we look to him, and a foretaste of the future feast. But those who take part with unrepentant hearts eat and drink judgment unto themselves.

1 PITA 3:18

He ko Kalaisi foki na‘a ne mo‘ua mamahi tu‘o taha koe‘uhi ko e ngaahi angahala, ko e angatonu ma‘a e ta‘eangatonu, koe‘uhi ke ne fakaofiofi ‘a kitautolu ki he ‘Otua . . .

1 PETER 3:18

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God...

LEO SCHUSTER

When Jesus gave his disciples the cup he said, "I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom" (Matt. 26:29). With these words he directed them to the future dimension of the Lord's Supper, as a sign pointing forward to the great day of anticipation. It's a foretaste of the marriage supper of the Lamb and the everlasting feast believers will enjoy with Christ in glory. Now we're broken creatures due to sin. Through Christ's broken body we're made whole again. Yet in this life we continue to experience the brokenness of our fallen condition. The future dimension of the Lord's Supper points us forward in hope to a day when we will be made completely whole and when we'll enjoy, with our Savior and with one another, dining at its very best.

O Prayer

Conqueror of Death, we celebrate your finished work when we take the Lord's Supper. May our eating be a confession of faith, that though we are unworthy, we have been joined together with the worthiness of Christ. May we come to your table with repentant hearts, putting way pride and self-sufficiency, enjoying the free grace you offer to us. Amen.

Thursday, May 24, 2018

Falaite Me 25, 2018

‘Oku ‘i heni fakalaumālie ‘a Sisu ‘i he Tepile ‘a e ‘Eikí

(Jesus is present in the communion spiritually)

Fehu‘i #47

‘Oku toe tanaki ‘e he ‘Ohomohe ‘a e ‘Eikí ha me‘a ki he ngaue na‘e fai ‘e Kalaisí ‘i he huhu‘í ?

Does the Lord's Supper add anything to Christ's atoning work?

1 PITA 3:18

He ko Kalaisi foki na‘a ne mo‘ua mamahi tu‘o taha koe‘uhi ko e ngaahi angahala, ko e angatonu ma‘a e ta‘eangatonu, koe‘uhi ke ne fakaofiofi ‘a kitautolu ki he ‘Otua . . .

1 PETER 3:18

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God...

LEO SCHUSTER

It's important to note that the bread and wine don't change in any way. Jesus isn't present physically, but he's present spiritually as the Holy Spirit exhibits him to us by faith. Now for those who are spiritually unresolved, the Lord's Supper is a call to them to receive Christ rather than to participate in the meal. By witnessing Christians partaking, they're encouraged to hear the echo of Jesus's loving call. "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" John 6:35). And when we as believers take communion by faith, Jesus meets with us, uniting us as a community, nourishing us with himself, and strengthening us to love and obey him. That's the present dimension.

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Tu‘apulelulu Me 24, 2018

Ko e feohi mo Kalaisi mo hono kakaí ‘i he lolotonga ni

(a present communion with Christ and each other)

Fehu‘i #47

‘Oku toe tanaki ‘e he ‘Ohomohe ‘a e ‘Eikí ha me‘a ki he ngaue na‘e fai ‘e Kalaisí ‘i he huhu‘í ?

Does the Lord's Supper add anything to Christ's atoning work?

1 PITA 3:18

He ko Kalaisi foki na‘a ne mo‘ua mamahi tu‘o taha koe‘uhi ko e ngaahi angahala, ko e angatonu ma‘a e ta‘eangatonu, koe‘uhi ke ne fakaofiofi ‘a kitautolu ki he ‘Otua . . .

1 PETER 3:18

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God...

LEO SCHUSTER

It becomes a sort of gospel shorthand where, as an ancient writer put it, first we hear the gospel, then we taste the gospel, and so the gospel goes forward in our lives on two legs. As Paul put it in 1 Corinthians, "For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" (11:26). As Christians we eat and drink to remember Jesus’s triumph. That's the past dimension.

Paul points to the present dimension of the Lord's Supper when he writes in 1 Corinthians, "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?" (10-16). That word participation could also be translated "fellowship" or "communion.” It's where we get the term communion. Think of what that means-the Lord's Supper is not only a symbolic reminder of what Jesus has done for us; it's also a present communion with one another and with Jesus.

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Pulelulu Me 23, 2018

Ko e kai fakalaumālie fisifisimu‘a

(the premier spiritual meal)

Fehu‘i #47

‘Oku toe tanaki ‘e he ‘Ohomohe ‘a e ‘Eikí ha me‘a ki he ngaue na‘e fai ‘e Kalaisí ‘i he huhu‘í ?

Does the Lord's Supper add anything to Christ's atoning work?

1 PITA 3:18

He ko Kalaisi foki na‘a ne mo‘ua mamahi tu‘o taha koe‘uhi ko e ngaahi angahala, ko e angatonu ma‘a e ta‘eangatonu, koe‘uhi ke ne fakaofiofi ‘a kitautolu ki he ‘Otua . . .

1 PETER 3:18

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God...

LEO SCHUSTER

I recently saw a restaurant advertisement that simply had the name of the restaurant and the words spiritual dining. It made me wonder about whether dining, at its best, is more than a mere material experience. And it made me think about the Lord's Supper, the spiritual meal, and what it does and doesn't do. There are actually three dimensions to what the Lord's Supper does: past, present, and future.

When Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper, he told his disciples, "Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19), underscoring that what he was urging them to do would point back to what he had done for them. When we remember what Jesus did for us, we ground our

lives in his finished work. The Lord's Supper isn't a way you can earn your salvation; it is spiritual dining for those who are saved. It doesn't add anything to the finished work of Christ's once-for-all sacrifice, but confirms and strengthens us in him.

Monday, May 21, 2018

Tusite Me 22, 2018

Fakaloloto mo tupuaki ai ‘etau tuí

(faith deepened and increased)

Fehu‘i #47

‘Oku toe tanaki ‘e he ‘Ohomohe ‘a e ‘Eikí ha me‘a ki he ngaue na‘e fai ‘e Kalaisí ‘i he huhu‘í ?

Does the Lord's Supper add anything to Christ's atoning work?

1 PITA 3:18

He ko Kalaisi foki na‘a ne mo‘ua mamahi tu‘o taha koe‘uhi ko e ngaahi angahala, ko e angatonu ma‘a e ta‘eangatonu, koe‘uhi ke ne fakaofiofi ‘a kitautolu ki he ‘Otua . . .

1 PETER 3:18

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God...

Commentary - JC RYLE

In eating that bread and drinking that cup, such a man will have his repentance deepened, his faith increased, his knowledge enlarged, his habit of holy living strengthened. He will realise more of the “real presence" of Christ in his heart. Eating that bread by faith, he will feel closer communion with the body of Christ. Drinking that wine by faith, he will feel closer communion with the blood of Christ. He will see more clearly what Christ is to him, and what he is to Christ. He will understand more thoroughly what it is to be "one with Christ, and Christ one with him." He will feel the roots of his soul’s spiritual life watered, and the work of grace in his heart established, built up, and carried forward. All these things may seem and sound like foolishness to a natural man, but to a true Christian these things are light, and health, and life, and peace.

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Monite Me 21, 2018

Toe maama ange mai ‘a e ngaue ‘a Kalaisi ma‘akú

(Clearer views of Christ and His atonement and more)

Fehu‘i #47

‘Oku toe tanaki ‘e he ‘Ohomohe ‘a e ‘Eikí ha me‘a ki he ngaue na‘e fai ‘e Kalaisí ‘i he huhu‘í ?

Does the Lord's Supper add anything to Christ's atoning work?

1 PITA 3:18

He ko Kalaisi foki na‘a ne mo‘ua mamahi tu‘o taha koe‘uhi ko e ngaahi angahala, ko e angatonu ma‘a e ta‘eangatonu, koe‘uhi ke ne fakaofiofi ‘a kitautolu ki he ‘Otua . . .

1 PETER 3:18

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God...

Commentary - JC RYLE

The simplest statement of the benefit which a truehearted communicant may expect to receive from the Lord's Supper . . . is the strengthening and refreshing of our souls. Clearer views of Christ and His atonement, clearer views of all the offices which Christ fills as our Mediator and Advocate, clearer views of the complete redemption Christ has obtained for us by His vicarious death on the cross, clearer views of our full and perfect acceptance in Christ before God, fresh reasons for deep repentance for sin, fresh reasons for lively faith, fresh reasons for living a holy, consecrated, Christ-like life, - these are among the leading returns which a believer may confidently expect to get from his attendance at the Lord's Table. He that eats the bread and drinks the wine in a right spirit will find himself drawn into closer communion with Christ, and will feel to know Him more, and understand Him better…

Saturday, May 19, 2018

Sapate Me 20, 2018

Ke tokoni mo fakalahi ‘a e kelesi kuo te ‘osi ma‘ú

(The Lord's Supper was meant to increase and help the grace that a man has)

Fehu‘i #47

‘Oku toe tanaki ‘e he ‘Ohomohe ‘a e ‘Eikí ha me‘a ki he ngaue na‘e fai ‘e Kalaisí ‘i he huhu‘í ?

Does the Lord's Supper add anything to Christ's atoning work?

1 PITA 3:18

He ko Kalaisi foki na‘a ne mo‘ua mamahi tu‘o taha koe‘uhi ko e ngaahi angahala, ko e angatonu ma‘a e ta‘eangatonu, koe‘uhi ke ne fakaofiofi ‘a kitautolu ki he ‘Otua . . .

1 PETER 3:18

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God...

Commentary - JC RYLE

Let us settle it firmly in our minds that the Lord's Supper was not given to be a means either of justification or of conversion. It was never meant to give grace where there is no grace already, or to provide pardon when pardon is not already enjoyed. It cannot possibly provide what is lacking with the absence of repentance to God, and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. It is an ordinance for the penitent, not for the impenitent, for the believing, not for the unbelieving, for the converted, not for the unconverted.

The unconverted man, who fancies that he can find a shortcut road to heaven by taking the Sacrament, without treading the well-worn steps of repentance and faith, will find to his cost one day that he is totally deceived. The Lord's Supper was meant to increase and help the grace that a man has, but not to impart the grace that he has not. It was certainly never intended to make our peace with God, to justify, or to convert.