SUCCESS THROUGH FAITH

INTRODUCTION

To the MVC Administrators headed by Dr. Remwil Tornalejo, President, To the MVC Academy Faculty and Staff headed by Dr. Liel Gem Villaver, Principal, To the Parents and Sponsors of the Graduands, To our church members and guests, and most especially to the graduands of Class 2025, happy consecration evening.

My Story

Exactly 35 years ago, I was seated in the same consecration ceremony where you are seated right now. I was designated to respond to the message of the consecration speaker at that time. I did that not even dreaming or desiring to have the honor of being invited as the consecration speaker of the same sacred ceremony years later, of even speaking to you and directly to our daughter who is one of you. I could not even remember the message of our guest speaker neither my response. But if my presence standing here before you becomes an epitome of what my mentors and teachers mean about sucess, then I willingly accept it and praise the Lord for what he has done in my life.

FIDE VINCIMUS 2025

Class 2025 chose the name FIDE VINCIMUS 2025. as their class name, and “Conquer Through Faith” as their philosophy.

Indeed, FIDE VINCIMUS 2025, you have chosen a noble name and philosophy because it connotes belief and trust in God and loyalty to him who gives true success rather than relying on personal efforts to accomplish one’s aim or purpose, or even to attain fame, wealth, or social status.

Success is often seen as the result of hard work, determination, and resilience. But ever so often, one key factor in attaining success is overlooked, that is faith. History has plethora of examples of individuals who attributed their success to their abilities, powers, and riches.

Nebuchadnezzar confidently ascribed the glory of Babylon - once a hub of civilization and a symbol of grandeur, the house hanging Gardens of Babyon - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World to himself. This act of confidence resulted to divine punishment. Nebuchadnezzar became insane for a significant number of time until he recognized divine sovereignty.

Julius Caesar famously expressed Veni, Vidi, Vici, “I came, I saw, I conquered” after achieving a swift and decisive victory over Pharnaces II of Pontus in 47 BCE. Vici, which means “I conquered” is the first person perfect tense of the related word vincimus, which is in the first person plural present tense, which literally means “We conquer, we overcome.” Julius Caesar eventually became powerful and influential and was later declared as “dictator perpetou” (dictator for life). He threatened his political opponents because of this and was eventually assasinated by a group of senators, including his close ally Brutus.

These examples highlight the critical role of faith and the consequences of its absence or misplacement. They underscore that while human effort, confidence, and ambition are powerful, true and enduring success often requires humility and trust in forces greater than oneself - that is the sovereignty of God.

Quite similar experiences happened also to the people of Israel. At the height of their success and prosperity, they became self-reliant and self-sufficient. But in their pride and arrogance, they fell into destruction and insignificance. Yet, in their suffering, they called back on God and delivered them from their troubles and suffering. God provided them success and prosperity time and time again. After all these time God had blessed them with success and abundance, they went back to their old ways of self-sufficiency and pride. And so, they lose their blessings and got into trouble again. This cycle of success, self-sufficiency, pride, and destruction in the lives of Israel provides us significant lessons to learn on how to achieve success through faith and remain so.

BODY OF THE MESSAGE

At the outset, I will say that God desires that each one will have an individual and corporate relationship with him. An established relationship with God results to true success. Although success is personal and shaped by one’s unique goals and definition of fulfillment, the blessing of success one achieves shall always be attributed to God, to make his name great. So long as one remains in relationship with God - which is faith, he/she is assured that God will never abandon him/her because God’s reputation will suffer if he were to do so. Also, it guarantees that each one can achieve and will enjoy success.

In few succeeding minutes, I will share with you the means - the agency or the ways of faith - that will guide you through towards success from the Biblical point of view.

The passage we are dealing with is found in

1 Samuel 12:20–24 ESV

20 And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 22 For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 24 Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.

Background of the Passage

In 1 Samuel 12, Samuel addresses the Israelites as they transition to a monarchy with Saul as their first king. In the context of success and faith, the chapter underscores that true success comes not from human leadership or personal ambition but from reliance on God. Samuel reminds the people of God's past faithfulness and warns them that their prosperity depends on their obedience and trust in Him. It serves as a powerful lesson that faith is the foundation of enduring success, as turning away from God leads to failure, while aligning with His will ensures blessings and guidance.

FIDE

May I suggest the acronym of FIDE as the basic foundation of enduring success.

Faithfully serve the Lord with all your heart (1 Samuel 12:20, 24)

“20 And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart.” , “24 Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.”

To serve, to work

refers to the performance of common chores, everyday duties and responsibilites such as but not limited to going to school, studying, working in a company.

refers to performance of religious duties such as returning tithes and presentation of offerings, observance of various activities related to the church

In serving or working, the quality of service and work is given importance.

with all your heart (v. 20, 24) - whatever endeavors one pursues, he/she must do it with undivided and wholeheartedness. It must be done with love.

faithfully

fidelity - bound by a pledge or duty

integrity - conforming to accepted standards of right or wrong

honesty - devotion to what is truthful

Act of service is an act of worship

Booker T. Washington

Born as a slave in Hales Ford, Virginia but freed at the age of 9. At the age of 16, he entered Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute in Virginia. He traveled most on foot 1,400 kms to travel from his hometown to the school. Peniless, his entrance examination to Hampton was to clean the room. His teacher, Samuel Chapman Armstrong, inspected his work with spotless, white handkerchief. He was given work as a janitor to pay the cost of his room and board, and Armstrong arranged for a White benefactor to pay his tuition. He became later on the founder of Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University). His life exemplifies faithful service, as he tirelessly worked to improve opportunities for others, leaving a lasting legacy of hope and empowerment.

"From humble beginnings to transformative leadership, Booker T. Washington's life is a testament to perseverance, faith, and a legacy of empowering others through service."

In fear, regard God with reverence and awe (1 Samuel 12:24)

“Only fear the Lord”

To fear the Lord is to honor him, to give him the highest respect, and revere him.

He is due for what he has done.

To acknowledge our dependence on him, accept his counsel, follow his bidding

To be afraid to do wrong because of its consequences

Reflect on what God has done for you all throughout the years of your stay in high school.

Uzziah’s success made him famous, but sadly enough, when he became powerful he became proud. One day Uzziah decided he would like to burn incense in the temple, even though he knew this was a job God had given to the priests. A great many priests followed Uzziah into the temple and warned him not to burn the incense, but Uzziah wouldn’t listen. Instead he got angry. As he stood before the altar of incense in the temple, raging at the priests, he became covered with leprosy (a very dreadful and contagious skin disease). Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died and he had to live apart from other people. His son Jotham governed the country instead.

Many wise and successful people, like Uzziah, have turned away from following God because they became proud and began to honour themselves instead of God. When we have everything we need, it’s easy to rely on ourselves and forget that God gave it all to us. It’s also easy to become proud of the things we accomplish, how we look, or even how we act. We can avoid the trap of pride by always giving God the honour He deserves and obeying Him.

Deviate not from following the LORD (1 Samuel 12:20)

turn aside

deviation from one’s life course and behavior

following the world and its practices

deviation from the commandments

breaking of God’s commandments

do not turn aside

obedience to God’s commandments

pursuing one’s life’s goals God has for you

Once a young man asked the wise man, Socrates,  the secret to success. Socrates patiently listened to the man’s question and told him to meet him near the river the following day for the answer. So the next day, Socrates asked the young man to walk with him towards the river. As they went in the river, the water got up to their neck. But to the young man’s surprise, Socrates ducked him into the water.

The young man struggled to get out of the water, but Socrates was strong and kept him there until the boy started turning blue. Finally, Socrates pulled the man’s head out of the water. The young man gasped and took a deep breath of air. Socrates asked, ‘What did you want the most when your head was in the water?” The young man replied, “Air.” Socrates said, “That is the secret to success. When you want success as badly as you wanted the air while you were in the water, then you will get it. There is no other secret.”

Moral of the short story:

Keeping of God’s commandments should be like grasping for “air” for it is a matter of life and death. When you want to pursue the dreams God has for you, pursue just like your life depends on it.

Empty yourself from unprofitable life’s pursuit (1 Samuel 12:21)

“21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.”

deviation after empty things

a picture of the earth before the creation of things

useless, nothing, something that is not beneficial

something that cannot deliver

deliver - a picture of a shepherd , who frees the sheep from the mouth of the beast of prey

things that cannot make your life better

procastination - robs time, potential, and opportunity

seeking worldly possessions above God for you are more likely to experience anxiety and stress

seeking fame or glory - it can lead to sense of entitlement and arrogance, and many more

seeking passion - while a powerful force, it can lead to destructive behavior

There was once a man named Samuel, who lived in a bustling city and was obsessed with collecting trophies of success. He chased after wealth, fame, and status, believing that each achievement would bring him the fulfillment he so desperately sought. Samuel worked tirelessly, accumulating material possessions and basking in the admiration of his peers.

Yet, despite his outward success, Samuel felt a hollow emptiness inside. His luxurious home seemed cold, his conversations felt shallow, and his friendships were built on admiration rather than genuine connection. The endless pursuit of recognition left him exhausted, but he continued chasing more, hoping that the next goal would finally fill the void.

One day, Samuel visited a small village and met an old farmer who radiated contentment and joy. Curious, Samuel asked the farmer the secret to his happiness. The farmer replied, "I find purpose in the simple things—in my work, my family, and the beauty of the world. I don't need riches or fame; I cherish what truly matters."

For the first time, Samuel began to question his life choices. He realized that his endless chase for empty things had blinded him to what was truly valuable: connection, love, and purpose. Samuel returned home with a changed perspective, seeking meaning not in possessions or accolades, but in the relationships and experiences that made life rich and fulfilling.

This story reflects the harm of pursuing empty things and reminds us to focus on what truly brings joy and meaning to our lives.

CONCLUSION

Success comes through

a. Faithfully serve the Lord with all your heart

b. In fearfully regarding God with reverence and awe

c. Deviating not in following the Lord`

d. Emptying yourself from unprofitable life’s pursuit

"True success is achieved by serving the Lord wholeheartedly, honoring Him with reverence, staying steadfast in His path, and letting go of pursuits that lack purpose."

This is the essence of your name FIDE VINCIMUS 2025.