Rev. Pj Olsino

11/10/2025

Fruit, Vocation, and Gifts 👇

The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) shows the inner work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. Through these fruits (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) the Spirit renews the heart and shapes the believer’s character to reflect Christ. This is the Spirit’s inward work, transforming our attitudes and desires so that our lives show Christ’s likeness in daily conduct.

From this inner renewal flows the believer’s vocation, the Spirit’s outward work in daily life. Through one’s calling as a parent, a worker, a student, or a citizen, the Spirit uses ordinary tasks to serve the neighbor. In vocation, the believer becomes an instrument of God’s care, acting with faith in God and love toward others (Colossians 3:17). The Spirit sanctifies these ordinary duties so that through them, Christ’s mercy is made visible in the world.

The Spirit also gives spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12) to believers for the building up of the Church. These gifts (teaching, serving, leading, encouraging) are distributed according to the Spirit’s will, not for personal gain but for the strengthening of the body of Christ.

In all these three, the Spirit glorifies Christ by renewing hearts, guiding service, and uniting the Church in faith and love.

10/10/2025

Christ Our Steadfast Hope Amid the Birth Pains

In Matthew 24:7–8, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the coming troubles: “Nation will rise against nation… there will be famines and earthquakes.” These words were given during His final week in Jerusalem, as He prepared them for both the fall of the Temple (70 A.D.) and the sufferings to come before His return (Luke 21:10–11).

The disciples feared the signs of destruction. Jesus’ warning revealed that these “birth pains” (Romans 8:22) are not the end, but signs that the fallen world groans under sin’s curse (Genesis 3:17–19).

The recent earthquake in Davao reminds us of this same brokenness. Our security is shaken when creation itself trembles (Romans 8:20). Fear, loss, and confusion test our faith.

Yet Jesus’ words carry hope. Even amid chaos, He remains Lord of all creation (Colossians 1:17). The “birth pains” point not to destruction, but to new creation in Christ.

In disasters, Christ’s Church brings comfort, mercy, and hope through Word and Sacrament (Psalm 46:1).

Though the earth quakes, Christ our Redeemer stands firm. In Him alone we are secure.

10/10/2025

Psalm 24:1
"The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it."

A farmer once said, “I will make sure that my plant will grow the best.” His words sound good and full of confidence. But behind them is a problem many of us share. We think we own what we cannot really own. The field, the seed, the rain, and even the breath of the farmer? They all belong to the Lord.

Psalm 24:1 reminds us that everything in this world is God’s. We are not the owners, but stewards. This is part of the First Article of the Creed. It says that God the Father created and still preserves all things. We work, but it is the Lord who gives the growth. We plan, but His will is what stands.

So, instead of saying, “I will make it grow,” faith teaches us to say, “I plant, the Lord will make it grow.” This is not weakness, but trust. It is living by grace. It is knowing that we live and work under God’s care. When we remember that the earth is the Lord’s, our hearts rest. We work with peace, not pride, because all belongs to Him.

03/10/2025

Sin Limited Only to Outward Vices 🤔

When people think of sin only as drinking alcohol, smoking, gambling, or other outward vices, they miss the deeper truth of what sin really is. The danger of naming only specific actions as sins is that unbelievers may think Christianity is just about avoiding a list of bad behaviors. If that is the case, many will turn away from preaching, because they do not want to give up those habits. In their minds, the Christian faith becomes only a matter of changing outward actions, not about the heart.

But the real problem is much deeper. Sin is not only the things we do outwardly. Sin is who we are by birth. As Scripture says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). When a preacher talks only about drinking or smoking, while ignoring his own hidden sins of pride, anger, or greed, he becomes a hypocrite. He limits sin to a few actions, instead of pointing to the truth that we are sinners in need of grace.

The good news is this: Christ came to save sinners. He forgives all sins—outward and hidden—through His cross. In Him, we are not only changed outwardly but made new within.

03/10/2025

The Pastor’s Job Is Not a Sideline 🤔

A pastor’s job is a noble job. In 1 Timothy 3, St. Paul shows that the office of overseer is not an ordinary career but a calling from God. The pastoral office was created by God for the care of His Church, not by human choice.

Today, some people think of being a pastor as a sideline. Some even proudly say, “I work in the government six days a week and as a pastor during Sundays.” This may sound dedicated, but it is a misunderstanding of the pastoral call.

In the Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP), there is a difference between local pastors and clergymen. Local pastors, who may be licensed or appointed, are sometimes allowed to do other jobs to support their families. But those who are officially titled as clergymen, ordained into the Office of the Holy Ministry, are to serve full-time. Their main work is to preach God’s Word, administer the Sacraments, and shepherd the flock.

Calling this office a sideline is an insult to God’s design. The pastoral office is the one divinely instituted office. Through it, Christ Himself shepherds His Church with His Word and Sacraments. If pastors treat their ministry as secondary, congregations may also think that the Word of God is optional and the Means of Grace are not central.

The truth is that the pastoral ministry demands a man’s whole life. Preaching, teaching, counseling, visiting, and praying are not part-time tasks. Even Paul, who worked as a tentmaker, never called his ministry a sideline. His heart and purpose were always to proclaim Christ crucified and risen.

Therefore, pastors and congregations must guard this office with seriousness and honor. The pastoral ministry is God’s gift, never a sideline.

02/10/2025

Dear fellow young children of God, 👇🙏

The recent news about so many young people in Baguio City taking their own lives is heartbreaking. This is not what God wants. This is a tragedy that shows how broken our world can be.

As a pastor, I know that what you believe affects how you see life. The right teaching, based on God’s Word, gives you a strong foundation. Wrong teaching can lead to despair, because as the Bible says, “as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).

God’s Law is very clear: “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). This includes taking your own life. God made every person in His image (Genesis 1:27), and our lives are precious. Ending your life is sin against the One who created you. But this isn’t meant to shame or condemn anyone who is hurting. This is like a barrier on a dangerous road. God wants to protect your life because He loves you. Remember, the Bible says, “you were bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20). Your life is valuable, and God’s teaching is meant to keep you safe.

At the same time, we know that mental illness is real. Sometimes, people feel trapped, hopeless, or confused. We need to have compassion for anyone who struggles this way.

And... 👇

The problem comes when people say that taking your life is okay or not a sin. Psychology can help us understand struggles, but it can’t replace God’s Word. Saying su***de is okay is a dangerous lie. It removes the protection God gives and can leave people even more lost and hurt.

That’s why we need God's Word that preaches Law and Gospel. The Law shows us that we need God to protect us from the temptation to take our own life, and the Gospel shows us His love: “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Jesus also promises: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

If you feel alone, hopeless, or trapped, remember this: your life is in God’s hands. He sees you, loves you, and gives hope. He cares for you!

01/10/2025

How to show appreciation to your pastor in a very simple way. 🤔
👇👇👇👇

One of the greatest ways you can appreciate your pastor is simple: come to church. Your pastor is called by God to preach the Word and to administer the Sacraments. That is his main work. Every week he prepares a meal, not with rice or vegetables, but with the Bread of Life, which is Christ Himself. He does not serve you his own words, but God’s Word. He does not give you his own strength, but Christ’s forgiveness through Word and Sacrament.

When you stay away from church, the pastor’s table is left untouched. It is like cooking a full meal only for no one to come and eat. The Word of God is living and active, but it is given to you to hear, to receive, and to trust. By coming to church, you show that you value not the pastor’s personality, but God’s gifts through him.

Unless you really cannot come because of sickness, then call your pastor to visit you. It is his calling to feed you wherever you are. Show him that you truly need the things he is preparing every Sunday. That will make your pastor glad and strengthen him in his work as Christ’s servant.

01/10/2025

"You cannot please everyone, pastor."
(Let's think about this. 🤔)

Being a pastor is not about pleasing everyone. Some people say to me, “It’s okay pastor, you can’t please everyone.” I get their point, but I am not a politician trying to win votes. Galatians 1:10 reminds me, “Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” This is very clear. A pastor’s calling is not to gain the applause of people but to be faithful to the Word of God.

Again, being a pastor is not about pleasing everyone… not even about pleasing people at all. It is about serving Christ and giving His gifts through the Word and the Sacraments. When I preach Law, it will cut hearts. When I proclaim Gospel, it will heal and comfort sinners. Some will be offended, some will rejoice but the truth must remain. (That's practically hard.)

In our Lutheran confession, we stand firm that the pastor is called to deliver Christ’s Word, not his own. If I try to please everyone, I may lose the truth. But if I serve Christ, His sheep will be fed, His Church will be guarded, and His name will be honored forever. (So help me God.)

So, when people say, "You can’t please everyone," it can sound like I’m a politician. But I’m not here for that. I’m a servant of God, and my calling is to please Him. Therefore, I’ll just keep serving faithfully, even if not everyone is pleased, because what matters most is God’s approval.

01/10/2025

But for Us Lutherans… 👇😁

Christians often use the same Bible but speak with different meanings. It’s like asking for “chips.” In America, you’ll get potato chips. In England, you’ll get French fries. Same word, different result. That’s how it feels when Lutherans and Reformed Christians use their vocabulary.

The Reformed say, “Baptism is only a sign, a symbol of what already happened in your heart.” That sounds neat and tidy. But for us Lutherans, baptism is not decoration. It is God’s action. Scripture says plainly, “Baptism now saves you” (1 Peter 3:21). Saying baptism is only a symbol is like saying a wedding ring makes you married. No—the real thing is the promise. In baptism, God Himself makes the promise.

The Reformed say, “The Lord’s Supper is only a remembrance.” Remembering Christ is good. But for us Lutherans, Jesus’ words mean exactly what He said: “This is My body… This is My blood.” It is not just a memory exercise; it is Christ’s real presence, given for you. If God only wanted us to remember, He could have given us a photograph instead of His body and blood.

The Reformed say, “God has chosen some for heaven and some for hell.” That sounds like strong control. But for us Lutherans, it makes God sound like a bouncer at the door of heaven, saying, “You're in, you're out.” Scripture teaches something better: “God desires all people to be saved” (1 Timothy 2:4). If someone is in heaven, the credit goes to Christ. If someone is lost, the blame belongs to sin and unbelief.

The Reformed say, “The Spirit works directly in your heart, without means.” It sounds very spiritual. But for us Lutherans, that is uncertain, because it depends on your feelings. Is it the Spirit, or is it just too much coffee? We do not have to guess. The Spirit works where God has promised: in baptism, in preaching, and in the Supper.

So, why all this care about words? Because for us Lutherans, words carry God’s promises. Wrong words can drain God’s gifts. Right words deliver Christ Himself. When Jesus says, “This is My body, given for you,” we do not argue with grammar. For us Lutherans, that settles it. We receive it, we believe it, and we say, “Thank You, Lord.”

At the end of the day, it is not about who has the most complicated theology or the largest dictionary. The Reformed can polish their TULIP petals if they want. But for us Lutherans, we cling to the Catechism like a trusted family recipe—clear, faithful, and never to be changed. And in the end, it is not about words alone. It is about Christ. And with Christ, we already have everything.

Amen.
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Photo not mine. CTTO.
👇 About worship.

30/09/2025

29/09/2025

Why Book Of Concord not Book Of Unity? 🤔

The word CONCORD comes from the Latin concordia, meaning “with one heart". It emphasizes agreement in doctrine and confession, not just outward peace. In Lutheran theology, the Church is united where there is agreement in the truth of God’s Word (John 17:17–21; 1 Cor. 1:10). Concord is not mere tolerance or compromise. It is the Spirit-given unity that arises when we all confess the same Gospel purely and administer the Sacraments rightly.

The word "Unity” by itself may suggest an outward togetherness even without agreement in doctrine. Many church bodies today speak of “unity” but allow different teachings about Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, or justification. This is why we should be warned against UNIONISM.

*Unionism is a false show of unity without true doctrinal concord.

The Lutheran confessors in 1580 chose Concord because their goal was not to invent a new unity but to express the true unity already given by Christ in His Word. The Book of Concord shows where Lutherans stand together with one voice on the Gospel and the Sacraments. It is not about creating peace at any cost, but about confessing the one saving truth faithfully, even if that truth causes division with error (Matt. 10:34).

🤔🤔🤔

I realize even this post could be taken in different ways. But the point is: take heart, what is at stake here is not temporary peace on earth, but eternal peace in Christ. We may appear outwardly united, but what does the world do with that? God looks at the heart and entrusts to us the stewardship of His pure doctrine.

27/09/2025

The Story of Two Pilgrims

There were two pilgrims walking the same road toward a City. Along the way, they sat by a stream to rest.

The first pilgrim carried a small book, a flask of water, and a piece of bread. He said,
“My King gave me these along the way. In this book He wrote my name. In this water I was washed. In this bread I am nourished. These are His gifts to me. Even if my steps grow weak, I know I will reach the City, because His promise is sure. I look not to myself, but to what He has placed into my hands.”

The second pilgrim carried a mirror. He said,
“My King has changed me inside. When I look into this mirror, I see that I am no longer the same man I once was. I now love the King, and I hate the darkness I once loved. As long as I keep seeing this change, I know I am one of His chosen. If I endure to the end, it will prove I truly belong to Him.”

Both pilgrims loved the King. Both trusted that the City lay ahead. But one fixed his eyes on the gifts placed into his hands, while the other searched his heart in the mirror he carried.

Are you the first pilgrim or the second? 🤔