1 Pastor's Point of View

Pastor Tino DiSiena
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  • Religion & Spirituality
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1 Pastor's Point of View encourages reflection on one's life through the mirror of God's Word. After listening to this podcast you will have a better understanding of the practical application of God's Word to your own everyday experiences. If you would like to explore our church's complete website, please click this link: http://www.freegospelassembly.com/

  1. Aug 28

    It Doesn’t Have to Be Either Or from God’s Perspective

    When Mark 8:34 – 9:1 (also Matthew 16:24-28, Luke 9:23-27) is taken isolated from proper contexts (especially Mark 10:28-30, read) The serious believer can get the wrong impression as to what Jesus is really saying about dedication to Him and His service. Language like “self-denial”, “losing one’s life”, “the daily cross bearing”, and especially “the danger of forfeiting one’s immortal souls “seems to paint an ominous, skewed picture of what it means to be a serious disciple of Jesus Christ. But when placed in context with passages like Mark 10:28-30 and Matthew 6:32-33 (It’s context Matthew 6:25-34), we get the idea as in other places in the New Testament as to who or what has “mastery” in our lives (Matthew 6:24, as to our central devotion and priority in our lives; the earthly only or also the heavenly or spiritual). This common understanding of the above passages of taking up the cross of Christ “daily” was also Peter’s understanding and lesson in Mark 10:28: “Lord we have left everything (businesses, families, etc.) to follow you, i.e. how are they now going to survive?” And Jesus response, similar to Matthew 6:32-33 really give this serious “daily cross” instruction a balance. It considers the fact the while we are not “of” the world, as born from above believers (John 3:3), we are still required, with a divine purpose, to live “in” the world. God knows that we still have earthly needs. This is why Jesus explains more fully, what He means living a cruciform life with a mission on earth (Mark 10:29-30… God clearly promises to give earthly provisions “… a hundred times as much in the present age: homes, jobs, provisions, etc.) brother, sisters, mother, children and fields… along with certain amount of cross-like persecution (it still ain’t going to be easy). God is reasonable and knows we have need of earthly things (Matthew 6:32). Therefore, as mentioned above it’s not about God demanding that we neglect all our genuine earthly needs, rather it’s about who or what is our “master” (Matthew 6:24): see also Matthew 6:33. Making Christ our “Master” and seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteous life and ministry includes not excludes all these earthly needs being met only now, as a believer, with the Spirit’s help. Therefore, there exists no out of balance, unreasonable requirements of Christ that negates our genuine earthly needs and goals (Matthew 6:32-33). And while serious discipleship requires serious rigor: the cross = our mission for Christ that requires serious work and commitment. Jesus promises to help provide what we need in this life, for us, our families; church, business, etc.: It’s not either the heavenly or the earthly but it’s both in balance. Most of us are not required to take a vow of poverty and became monks. We still need earthly support systems from the Lord and He promises it (again note, Mark 10:29-30). But to keep the balance we also need to consider that God’s cross/purposes in our lives can at time be challenging and difficult. Therefore Mark 10:30 “… all with persecutions, from an unaccepting of sinful world but it’s not all suffering and the best is yet to come … “in the age to come eternal life (full of Joy, peace and fulfillment, verse 30). Again, it’s about who or what is our “Master” and controls our purposes in life. He warns that if we have other masters in our lives like earthly power and money that our treasures on earth can be stolen and destroyed, rather also store up heavenly treasures in God’s bank of heaven from where He will also meet our earthly needs (Matthew 6:19-24): He knows we have need of these earthly things and He promises to help provide for them, so continue to trust Him (Matthew 6:32-33) and give ourselves “daily” to the cross/purposes of our discipleship so that we won’t have to be “ashamed” of our lives “when He comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38).  Let’s rejoice in the Balance of the Christ offers us as His disciples

  2. Jun 19

    God Perseveres for His Purposes, Which are Restorative and Sacrifice for Us!

    Luke: 9:51-55; Hebrews 3:5-6; Romans 8:32-39, especially v32 Central Example from Jesus Resolute travel to Jerusalem where He knew what awaited Him there: Sacrifice, Resurrection and Ascension. Even though He knew the barrier of pain and sacrifice He would have to suffer to break through for Our Salvation; And even though He even prayed for an alternative path to attain salvation (e.g., Gethsemane, Luke 22:39-44). His perseverance, with the Father’s help, owned the day: He still resolutely set out to travel to Jerusalem. He understood the will of God for our salvation, no other plan would do, and He remained steadfast to do His Father’s will and purchase our salvation via the cross/resurrection. He would not look to the Old Testament ways to attain victory (note the disciples’ reactions to the Samaritan opposition. Luke 9:52-55 – no fire from heaven rather blood from the divine Savior): By His stripes we are healed (1 Peter 2:24) Through Christ God demonstrated His steadfastness, perseverance to pursue His will for us, which is applicable both on a corporate and individual level. He was described by the saints of yester-years as the “bloodhound of heaven,” catching the scent of our retreating and intensify pursuing us via His Holy Spirit. The Lord takes a solemn vow and promises “that never will I leave you, never will I forsake you, so we say with confidence, the Lord is [forever] my helper: I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6; also, Deuteronomy 31:6; Psalm 118:6-7. The only things that God requires of us is honest commitment to His ways, which sometimes are not our ways: humility, honesty and hunger. And we shall always remain under the canopy of His forgiveness because we will never be perfect in our walk in this life.  But the main point of this message is that God who requires us to be faithful and persevere (Philippians 3:12-14) also perseveres for us to accomplish His purposes in our lives. It’s the same divine “resolution” that He displayed in Luke 9:51 traveling to Jerusalem to die for our sins: And Romans 8:32, He who did not spare His own precious Son. He will also, with the same love and intensity, resolutely (steadfastly) persevere to give His children everything, else, they need (Matthew 6:32-33). He gave us His best in Christ, everything else would be much easier, I think. But God is driven, by His Holy Spirit, for Christ’s sake, to accomplish His good and beneficial purposes for our lives: To Glorify God, and bless us and others through us. AMEN Read again, Romans 8:32. “He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him (resolutely), graciously give us all (for our good) things.” The ultimate evidence that He will is found in the Giving of His Beloved Son, Jesus!

  3. Jun 12

    Psalm 84:11 “… No Good Thing Does He Withhold from Those Whose Walk is Blameless”

    (Key Question: Who decides that something is good or less than good in our lives? God!) Psalm 84 especially verse 11, Romans 8:28. My short imperfect answer before expounding Psalm 84 is a complex combination of primarily God, His Word and us in conversation, but God ultimately decides. (e.g. Jesus’ dialogue with the Father on the Mount of Olives Luke 22:39–44 “…yet not my will, but yours be done.”) At other situations Scripture seems to imply that we participate in how He answers, to what would be “good” (or beneficial for us); for example, Matthew 7:7–12, especially verse 11, but always in the context of the larger request to remain within God’s will (Matthew 6:11); but God honors our part in the prayer dialogue. Also, what is deemed “good” (beneficial) to the Psalmist and us sometimes does not feel “so good,” there exists a journey factor in Psalm 84:5–7 “a Valley of Baka” (a waterless area) to be a traversed. But God by His presence with them all through their journey to the Holy Place (probably the autumn feast of Tabernacles) promising to give them extraordinary strengths (three times, in verses 5–7).  And even though the travel is rough, doesn’t feel very good, His water continuously refreshes the traveler’s person. (84:6 pools, springs, autumn rains). Mysteriously and miraculously restores their strength. In the New Testament, according to Romans 8:28, Paul states a similar truth about the “good” that God wants to administer to Christ’s disciple on his/her journey: “And we know (experientially) that in everything (or situation) God works only for the good of those who loves Him, who are called and (stay) within His purpose.” Like Psalm 84:11, God is both “Our Sun and shield” and is able to transform even what seems not so good into good (in all situations He works for our good); but we must stay in our calling to do His purpose. And He invites us to ask, seek, knock and communicate our need and discuss them with Him (Matthew 7:7-12, along with Matthew 6:32, 33) Back to Psalm 84, what are some truths we can learn from it? God’s ultimate purpose in our journey with and to Him is that we succeed in reaching Him. In New Testament, His dwelling place is within us (1 Corinthians 6:19) or our persons (both now and forever in our glorified bodies. (1 Corinthians 15). And He is concerned and committed to help us to fulfill His purpose and provide all He knows we need (Matthew 6:32-33). Only keep our desire for Him our utmost goal (Psalm 84:2-4). We cannot avoid this sometimes-painful journey: it’s part of our course. “The valley of Baka” (Psalm 84:6) was a waterless area where all God’s pilgrims will traverse (this fallen world) but God promises strength, strength, strength (84:5-7) and in New Testament language the refreshing waters of the Spirit will refresh and restore us in our journey out of our belly will flow rivers of living water = the activity of the Holy Spirit (John 7:38). We need a continual refilling (Ephesians 5:18). And again, according to Romans 8:28, He is able to transform all things for “our good,” because we love and belong to Him. God wants our values to change to match His kingdom values: note 84:10 “So much better to be aligned with God and His purposes for our lives than earthly, worldly, prestige. Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God.” (needy for God and receiving from God); Luke 6:20-26 states, blessed are the poor for they have to depend on the God of Romans 8:28 and Psalm 84:5-7; see also again Matthew 6:32-33. Our ultimate dependence must continue to be in the Lord as we develop the values of the Kingdom or the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:1-11). Thereby we grow and fit in to God’s kingdom as to our values and receive from God His transforming power, until we fully dwell with Him (Revelation 22:1-5). Finally, God wants to be our “sun and shield” throughout our lives (84:11) as He provides all good things both now and forever.

  4. May 29

    Jesus Son of God and Son of Man

    A sermon preached by Pastor Tino from Free Gospel Church from Luke chapter 24. For more information come visit our website, Freegospelassembly.com. God bless!

  5. May 22

    The Joyous Triumphal Entry (All Seems Well!) To Radical Rebuke: Why?

    Main Text: Matthew 21:1-17 Jesus approaches His final hour by parading towards Jerusalem with His followers in the midst of explosive reactions by the large crowd chanting “Hosanna to the Son of David” (Matthew 21:9-11). The chapter started with a prophetic act to acclimate His disciples (verses 1-3). He foreknows where the donkeys are and the fact that the owners would lend them. The disciples participated in obedience to the prophetic action in verse 4, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9. The owners complied and the disciples obeyed because … ”The Lord needs them (verse 3).” The prophetic spectacle unfolds before a very large crowd who showed them adulation by “spreading their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them along the road while they cried out words of acknowledgment and worship, identifying Jesus, the miracle worker, as the Messiah, the Blessed Son of David (verses 8-11). The whole city was affected with both exuberance and interest (verses 10-11). After all of this triumphant procession, they arrive at the court of the gentiles in the outer court of the holy temple. Here, Jesus in contrast, Jesus uses some violence to demonstrate His rebuke. What turned His celebrating disposition to one of vivid displeasure (verse 13). The temple became a demonstration of false holiness that was hallow when it comes to those in need of God’s help: The people, especially those considered “unclean” in the Old Testament law. Verses 12 – 17 His uncharacteristic violent behavior of Jesus (gentle Shepard) verse 12. His message verse 13. The religious establishment were making the house built for prayer and spiritual benefit to a den of robbers (the focus on Commerce and “overcharging” (dishonest money changers?), etc. Not only greedy dishonest commerce but leaving out of their ministry considerations, those considered “unclean” in the Old Testament (“blind, lame, 2 Samuel 5:8; those with physical abnormality (Leviticus 21:7-12) and even children, Matthew 18:1-5, Matthew 21:14-16(. The house of prayer statement in Jesus’ rebuke covers more than just praying but also ministering to those spiritually and physically disenfranchised from religious society (21:14-16). Remember when Jesus healed on the Sabbath (the law) Jesus was rebuked by some in the religious leadership; So, the temple was abused by secular minded leadership priesthood, etc. (read Mark 2:23-28). This false holiness was evidenced in some, if not more of the religious leadership: especially the Priests and Scribes. When the chief priests and teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did (for the lame, blind, diseased and poor persons and even the children) … “They became angry” (verse 15). And in contrast the children, not the religious hierarchy, recognized, along with the crowd and His disciples (verses 8-11): They exclaiming “Hosanna in the Highest”; what a radical change! This triumphal entry picture illustrates clearly that even religion given by God on Mt. Sinai can develop wrong priorities: The focus on using religion, even Christianity, for primarily commerce, power, and status. They developed a false idea of holiness without compassion and buildings and related practices without the presence of God, who is love. Even in the Old Testament, this is expounded in Isaiah 58 – What is true fasting (read it). 2 Timothy 3:5, producing even Christians that only have a form or an appearance of holiness/godliness but resisting or denying its power to change them. Have nothing to do with them! (unless they repent, Galatians 6:1-2). Finally materialistic commerce focused political and religious priorities are the characteristics of the religious, political economic practices of the Antichrist system, to be destroyed by the Parousia of Jesus: described in Revelation 17, 18, & 19. This is what Matthew’s version of Jesus triumphal entry in Matthew 21:1-17 illustrates: Joy, victory transformed by commercially oriented religious people who are then rebuked by Jesus. (See also the church of Laodicea in 3:14-21. But in His rebuked, there is always hope for restoration. AMEN

  6. May 15

    God Has a Purpose for Everything, Sometimes He Seems to Delay His Answers

    (These delays appear to us to make our situations more difficult and less understandable: One of the most radical delays can be illustrated in Lazarus death and miraculous resurrection.) Main Texts: John 11:1-43, especially verses 38-43 and John 12:1-11, especially verses 9-11, … the “him” in verse 11 = Lazarus and his testimony. The Bible is united in the idea that everything that happens in the lives of His children, which He directly causes to occur or allows, has a threefold purpose: To bring Glory to God (John 11:40), to inspire or strengthen His children and to provide a witness or testimony to His truth and reality to others. In the case above, Lazarus resurrection, God was glorified because of Jesus purposed delay, even more so than if He healed him while only sick. Jesus purposed delay (John 11:6, 14-16), was misunderstood by all His disciples, along with Mary and Martha. Notice Martha and Mary’s reaction to Jesus’ delay of 2 days (verses 6, 32) and His eventual plain talk in verses 14-15 “… Lazarus was dead…”; and Jesus claim that it would actually strengthen their faith. Thomas reaction was even worse than theirs. Note, verse 16, “Let’s go and die with Lazarus and Jesus.” Martha’s response was a bit better but also not faith revealing verses 21-22, “If only you had been here,” now we only have hope in a future, last day resurrection (verse 24); but Jesus reminds her very strongly “I am the resurrection and the life.” (i.e., for the last days and for now verses 25-26). Jesus by His Spirit can meet our “mortal life” issues (Romans 8:11). Martha got part of the doctrine right but not fully as to who He is and what are His current capacities, even in the midst of a painful delay (see verse 27). Mary was no better following the pattern of only limited human understanding, in verse 32; “Lord, if you had been here (i.e., you didn’t delay 2 days (verse 6) he would not have died.” And others around Him, even if they were good, Jewish followers could not see Jesus as the ultimate resurrection and life giver, at best He could do miracles like other Old Testament prophets (verse 3). But what is the point of this story? If God in theirs and our eyes radically delays in His answers to the point that it boggles our human understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6) it is not = His no! The delay has a purpose, that again will glorify Him (1 Corinthians 10:3; Colossians 3:17; John 11:4) and more greatly bless us (note, Jesus’ prayer at the grave site, John 11:41-43, to fulfill His prophetic words in verses 4, 11, 14, 25: especially verse 41). Still this extraordinary miraculous event gave birth to many extreme reactions: Thomas, Martha, Mary, others (see verses 16, 24, 27, 32) could not believe beyond their theology, so to speak, but at least Martha and Mary had some faith in this most difficult situation (see verse 22 - …” But I knew that even now God will give you whatever you ask”). Some faith buried under human limits to understand the ways of God, especially His delays and what that seems to cause. God has to miraculously show them in spite of their “little faith” and even doubt (see Thomas verse 16), after all Jesus caused the extra dilemma: and what He causes, He can repair. Everything God does in and through our lives is not only to bring glory to Him, which He deserves but also give testimony, through out lives, to others. Note, this point is illustrated in John 12:9-10: They came to see the evidence of Christ’s power by wanting also to “… see Lazarus He had raised from the dead.” The real, not only perceived delay (verse 6), in the hands of God, produced a great effect of joy for Lazarus family, strengthening of their faith, that became sight, and the crowd that came to see both … continued to spread the word (see John 12:17-19). My conclusion: What seem like and feels like a radical delay to us, of God’s answers to our prayers, that we reasonably think are according to His will, may result in a radically greater blessing to God, us and others, because in all things spiritual, God’s triadic purpose impacts all He does! Let’s continue to believe in this truth: see also Matthew 7:7-12. AMEN

  7. Feb 24

    Pleading with the Lord in Thorny Situations, That God Permit; To Which He Always Answers.

    Website: Freegospelassembly.com Youtube: Free Gospel Church Assembly of God Main Texts: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 (especially verse 8, three times Paul pleaded means continually, over a period of time) Isaiah 38:4-6 (Hezekiah’s experience of pleading prayer while God answers differently.) The main point illustrated in both thorny incidences is that God permits varied situation and that He promises to always answer our prayers, but He reserves the right to answer differently and in His time. God, our heavenly Father, will always respond to His children’s cries: Matthew 7:7-12, “Continue to ask, seek, knock, and that He will answer us” is guaranteed but in His time and manner. Paul’s “thorn in the flesh”: Satan is permitted to attack Paul, to prevent human conceit and pride. Consider Paul’s extraordinary spiritual experiences and revelations (2Corinthians 12:1-7) and the danger of opening him up spiritual pride similar to those labeled by him as “super apostles” (2Corinthians 12:11-12), that were attacking him in Corinth. And while Paul didn’t like it and prayed continuously (3 times) for God to lift it, God answered powerfully but differently, note verses 8 & 9. We don’t know the nature of Paul’s thorn, whether it was physical, spiritual, etc., it was serious enough for Paul to turn to continual pleading, and for Paul, relief came in several parts. Through a powerful prophetic word or oracle from God, whether directly or through another prophet, it is not known, but it was a powerful verse 8. It wasn’t just a word or message but also a transfer of Holy Spirit power verse 9… Christ’s power rests upon him to mitigate his thorny situation. This experience was so powerful that it ended in acceptance and worship verses 9 & 10. God’s answer alleviated Paul in his weakened condition not only psychologically but practically, experientially; so that in the midst of his weakened state he became strong in the Lord. Hezekiah’s pleading in Isaiah 38:1-6 was definitely a physical issue; it was an oracle of death delivered by Isaiah. And his pleading was intense and within a shorter amount of time. It started after an emphatic message from God through Isaiah verses 1-2. He turns to the Lord, in spite of Isaiah’s word, and pleads for deliverance and healing verses 2-3. God responds in His manner and time: for Hezekiah it seems to be soon after his pleading: did God changed His mind (verses 4-6)? Also appended to God’s answer to Hezekiah’s answer was His merciful intervention for Jerusalem from their Assyrian oppressors (verse 6). It also ends in worship: see Hezekiah’s Psalm of deliverance in Isaiah 38:9-20. In conclusion, Jesus pleaded with His father at Gethsemane and His father answered that while He would have to go to the cross, to atone for the sins of humanity, He will experience healing and victory through His Resurrection, Ascension, and Coronation as “Lord”: For all three, in their weakness, they experienced as an answer to their pleading, the strength of the Lord. They pleaded, He answered in His time and manner. AMEN

  8. Jan 10

    The Wrath of God is Not Prepared for the Believer: Then Why Do Christians Suffer So Much in this World

    (God’s Wrath or Righteous Judgment for Sin and Sinners must be distinguished from Persecution and disciplining that God permits to transform His people and restore them.) 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, note especially verse 9 Paul says unequivocally in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 “That God did not appoint us to suffer [His] wrath or (righteous judgment) but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This righteous judgment must be distinguished from certain types of discipline that God directs toward us to correct and restore us (see 1 Peter 1:6-9). Even persecutions are permitted in the middle of our witnessing efforts as the devil’s resistance to the spread of the gospel: for example, Jesus words to Saul at his radical conversion “Saul, by persecuting my people you are persecuting me.” (Acts 9:1-6) In fact, in many cases, the church has grown more in times of persecution than in more peaceful environments. Therefore, discipline and persecution that God permits, is meant to restore and prosper while God’s righteous judgments (or wrath) has as its purpose to fairly punish God’s opponents. Therefore, Paul’s admonition in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 helps to distinguish these difficult experiences. Christians never experience God’s wrath because of the Atoning Sacrifice of Our Lord Jesus Christ; Therefore, what is meant by the term “tribulation(s),” especially when used in context of the last days (promised especially in Daniel 9:24-27?) Some Christians believe in a literal 7-year tribulation period in the last days: they divide it into 2 parts of 3-½ years. The second part is referred to “the great tribulation.” This is a time of great persecution in which the Antichrist and his minions persecute God’s people, especially in Jerusalem. This persecution will be interrupted by the Risen Christ, the ultimate dispenser of God’s righteous judgment. Christians will be protected from this, how? The Christian church is divided on this answer. Some believe that Christ will return to do Holy War at the beginning of the 7-year tribulation period by The Rapture of the Church: both the dead in Christ first, then those Christians alive, that are transformed (1 Thessalonians 4:5-17). Others believe that this will occur mid-tribulation. Still others see the Rapturing of the Church and the Second Coming as One Event combining 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 with Revelation 19. It gets really complicated! There is unity in the belief that the tribulations that Christians are allowed to go through in life are persecutions, tests, and trials to benefit His children, but divine righteous judgment of God have a whole different purpose: They don’t restore, they mete out just punishments, while “tests and trials,” aim to restore and redeem. (Romans 8:28, James 1:2-4) The difference is important according to Paul in 1Thessalonians 5:9. We will always remain in God’s hove, even though He might discipline us. Even in the last days and its tribulations, Christ will make sure that His believers are raptured or protected somehow from His righteous judgment. Paul is adamant concerning this point, here (verse 9) and at other passages: e.g., Romans 5:9-11 (read)

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1 Pastor's Point of View encourages reflection on one's life through the mirror of God's Word. After listening to this podcast you will have a better understanding of the practical application of God's Word to your own everyday experiences. If you would like to explore our church's complete website, please click this link: http://www.freegospelassembly.com/

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  • Creator
    Pastor Tino DiSiena
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    134
  • Rating
    Clean
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    © 2026 1 Pastor's Point of View
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    1 Pastor's Point of View