Primum Deus

What is love? How can we become truly loving people? In this message, we examine some biblical and spiritual foundations of love, contrasting it with its opposite—selfishness —as explained by the Bible and Ellen G. White (see texts below).

This episode presents the second item of the Stewardship Commitment Card:👉 “To improve my relationships by growing in love, forgiveness, and reconciliation.”

As the original video was not available, we published the material found on the TPUM Facebook page. Although some portions are missing, this message was shared here because of the profound relevance of its theme. It includes elements of my personal testimony as presented at the time, biblical insights, and a call to follow Christ on the path of sacrificial love.

🔹 Main subjects in this presentation include:

• ​• How to become a loving person
• ​• Why love is supernatural, not natural
• ​• The role of confession in answered prayer (Psalm 34:15-16; 1 John 1:9)
• ​• The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
• ​• True discipleship and the character of God
• ​• How movies and entertainment can shape our decision-making power and capacity to love
• ​• What it means to die to self
• ​• Why you can’t love without the Holy Spirit

🔹 Special Highlights:

• ​• Personal testimony: Why I gave up the ambition to be a successful pastor
• ​• The Stewardship crown: a crown of thorns and a crown of glory• God’s call to follow Him through the desert into the Promised Land

This video has some missing parts, but has been published anyway because of the relevance of the subject it covers.

📍Originally presented to 350 pastors during the “Set Apart” Ministerial Convention of the Trans-Pacific Union Mission in Nadi, Fiji – February 12–16, 2024.

This is the second episode in the series “The Power of Vows and Commitments,” which explores all items on the Stewardship Commitment Card.

Download the card in multiple languages here:

👉 stewardship.adventist.org/commitment-card-promise

📘 Learn how to use the Stewardship Commitment Card (courtesy of the South Pacific Division):

👉 https://stewardship.adventist.org/how-to-use-the-iproimse-commitment-cards

🎁 Discover more about Promise Offerings (mentioned in this message):

👉 https://stewardship.adventist.org/promise-(regular-and-systematic-offerings)

More about Vows and Commitments: https://stewardship.adventist.org/vows-and-pledges-resources

Available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Rmj9i3ZV_v4 (with slightly more complete notes on description)

My notes:

What is love? How to love and become a loving person?

• ​* The power of prayer.
• ​* How to open the way for our prayer to be heard? Psalm 34:15-16
• ​* When sins are confessed, the way is open for our prayers to be heard.
• ​* Eph 3:20
• ​* My testimony: Why I quit the desire of being a successful pastor.
• ​* Why didn’t I love my Wife?
• ​* God is love. Would God require me to live my whole life with someone I don’t love?
• ​* Love isn’t a natural thing. It is a supernatural thing.
• ​* If sins are confessed, the way is open for your prayers to be answered.
• ​* Love is a sign of discipleship (John 13:34-35)
• ​* What is the risk of watching a movie?
• ​* Acts 1:8 -
• ​* Gal 5:22-23 - the fruit
• ​* How do we understand what love is?
• ​* What is the opposite of love?
• ​* The selfish mindset

“The opposite of love is selfishness, and this was the essence of the self-seeking spirit manifested by Satan.”— In Heavenly Places, p. 238

“Selfishness is the essence of depravity, and because human beings are selfish, they fail to understand the truth of heavenly origin. Selfishness is the opposite of the character of God, the opposite of love.”— Manuscript Releases, Vol. 21, p. 180 (Letter 263, 1903)

• ​* How to better understand what love is?
• ​* Isa 53:3-7
• ​* Phill 2:5…
• ​* The Stewardship symbol is a crown. For you to have the crown of glory, you need to go first through the crown of thorns.
• ​* 1 Pt 2:19-21
• ​* When we die (to self), we no longer suffer. Those who are dead don't feel offended.

Why can’t you thrive without spiritual commitments? This message highlights the vital role of making vows and commitments in our spiritual journey. It introduces the first two items of the Stewardship Commitment Card (see them below). It includes my personal testimony of how intentional commitments can help prioritize God and establish daily spiritual habits. These include daily Bible reading, studying the Spirit of Prophecy, engaging in family worship, and nurturing love and harmony within marriage and family.

This is the first message in the series “The Power of Vows and Commitments,” which explores all items on the Stewardship Commitment Card. Download the card in multiple languages here:👉 stewardship.adventist.org/commitment-card-promise

🟢 Why are commitments crucial in our lives and spiritual journey?

🟢 Why can't we thrive without commitments?

🟢 How do we build habits like daily Bible study and love based on principle?

🟢 How can our home relationships grow and foster love?

Some people have a very weak Christian experience because they refrain from making commitments.

The first item of the Commitment Card: "to set apart the first moments of each day to commune with God through prayer, Bible study, the Spirit of Prophecy, Sabbath School lesson, and Family worship."

The second item of the Commitment Card: "to improve my relationships by growing in love, forgiveness, and reconciliation."

📚 The book Child Guidance by Ellen G. White, referenced in this message, is available here: 👉 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/8/info

Here is a pamphlet with suggestions about how to use the Commitment Card: 👉 https://stewardship.adventist.org/how-to-use-the-iproimse-commitment-cards (kindly provided by the South Pacific Division).

📍This message was originally presented to 350 pastors during the “Set Apart” Ministerial Convention of the Trans-Pacific Union Mission, held in Nadi, Fiji, February 12–16, 2024.

My notes:

The Importance of Commitments

• * Refraining from making commitments produces a weak spiritual life
• * How to start reading the Bible?
• * God First Principle (Matt. 6:33; Mark 1:35)
• * How to adopt habits
• * Developing the habit of reading the Bible
• * Daily Bible study
• * Daily Family Worship
• * Jer 1:4-5
• * Life commitment to God
• * New creation, a new heart to love those who don’t deserve it. To start it at home.

IMPROVING MY RELATIONSHIPS

• * To learn how to love
• * John 13:34-35
• * To learn how to love - our first mission
• * We cannot work for Jesus while hating in our homes.

O ano está chegando ao fim. Estamos em um contexto de final de jornada e logo começa outra. Isso gera ansiedade.  Como estar preparado para a virada?

Esta mensagem foi apresentada na Igreja Adventista Brasileira de Washington, em 6 de dezembro de 2025.

Minhas anotações:

O que é um ano?

Um "ano" é o tempo que a Terra leva para completar uma órbita ao redor do Sol.

Uma órbita completa ao redor do Sol leva aproximadamente 365,2422 dias

Não 365.

Nem 366.

Mas 365 dias + quase 1/4 de dia.

Este extra ~0.2422 dia ≈ 6 horas.

Um mês é aproximadamente o tempo que leva um ciclo da lua (29,5 dias x 12 = 354)

Cada novo dia temos novas oportunidades. “As misericórdias do Senhor…

Cada nova semana, Deus nos dá uma pausa, e podemos recomeçar

Mas a virada do ano é um grande reset da vida.

Você está preparado?

Muitos não sabem conscientemente deste “reset” mas sentem isso instintivamente. Comemoram, bebem, comem, fazem festa, para esquecer a solenidade do momento.

A maioria de nós vai ter esta experiência, no máximo, 85-90 vezes.

Pesquisa:

American Psycholgy Association (https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/11/holiday-season-stress)

Deus diz: 

Isaías 27:5

A quem Deus abençoa?

Isaías 66:2-4

2 Cron 20:17 -

Hebreus 4:7-11

A ansiedade é cega e não pode discernir o futuro

EGW: Nada temos que temer quanto ao futuro a menos que…

Por isso,

1 Tess 5:18 -

1 Pedro 5:7 -

1Pedro 5:7 NVT

Elementos que podem causar ou potencializar a Ansiedade:

• Perda de autocontrole nas redes sociais
• Uso de café e outos estimulantes 
• Uso de bebida alcoólica (nem por brincadeira)
• Excessos na comida, sem limitação de horário, quantidade ou qualidade (diversão x nutrição)
• Falta de sono
• Falta de exercício fisico
• Descontrole nos hábitos financeiros
• Descontrole nos hábitos relacionais e sexuais

Hábitos promotores da paz:

(Muitos deles relacionados ao princípio do Primeiro Deus) Mat 6:33

• Hábitos devocionais
• Principio Primeiro Deus
• Momento de oração - os sete minutos (episódio #85)
• Estudo da Biblia (episódio #1)
• Lição da Escola Sabatina
• Espirito de Profecia
• Guarda do sábado
• Frequência à igreja
• Trabalho para Deus - 

• Atenção aos hábitos físicos 
• 1 cor 10:31

• Hábitos financeiros 
• Provérbios 3:9-10

• Primeiro Deus: dizimo (10%) e oferta (___%)
• Seu “eu” de amanhã - fundo de reserva

Sabedoria Financeira Bíblica:

• A sequência é fundamental: trabalhar, receber, doar, poupar, gastar.

• As primeiras coisas em primeiro lugar — Deus, os necessitados, a poupança, as necessidades.

• Desenvolva o contentamento. A dívida é frequentemente o resultado do descontentamento por ter apenas o que é possível ter. As pessoas se endividam para ter o que não podem pagar. (Josanan). Fil. 4:11–12.

• Adote um estilo de vida simples — sem ostentação. Fil. 4:12.

• Viva com o que pertence a você — não tome emprestado.

• Pague o que você deve, antes mesmo de comer. “Nunca vi o justo desamparado, nem a sua descendência mendigar o pão.”

• Use apenas o dinheiro que já está na sua conta bancária. Não conte com recursos que ainda não recebeu.

• Recolha as migalhas.

A vida é simples. Nós é que complicamos…

A Biblia é o grande descomplicador dos problemas da vida. 

João 15:5

Filipenses 4:13

Naum 1:7 -

Sermão BR1 6/dez/2025

En este episodio comparto ideas sobre cómo desarrollar la fe y crecer en el conocimiento del Hijo de Dios.

Este episodio fue presentado el 25 de mayo de 2025 en Camp AU Sable, en Grayling, MI, para los pastores hispanos de la Asociación de Michigan, Estados Unidos, durante el Campamento del Ministerio Hispano de esta asociación.

Mis apuntes:

Malaquías 3:8-10

“¿Robará el hombre a Dios? Pues vosotros me habéis robado. Y dijisteis: ¿En qué te hemos robado? En vuestros diezmos y ofrendas. Malditos sois con maldición, porque vosotros, la nación toda, me habéis robado. Traed todos los diezmos al alfolí y haya alimento en mi casa; y probadme ahora en esto, dice Jehová de los ejércitos, si no os abriré las ventanas de los cielos, y derramaré sobre vosotros bendición hasta que sobreabunde.”

1 Corintios 16:2 

“Cada primer día de la semana cada uno de vosotros ponga aparte algo, según haya prosperado, guardándolo, para que cuando yo llegue no se recojan entonces ofrendas.”

Deuteronomio 16:17 

“cada uno con la ofrenda de su mano, conforme a la bendición que Jehová tu Dios te hubiere dado.”

2 Corintios 9:7 

“Cada uno dé como propuso en su corazón: no con tristeza, ni por necesidad, porque Dios ama al dador alegre.”

Proverbios 3:5-10 

“Fíate de Jehová de todo tu corazón, Y no te apoyes en tu propia prudencia. Reconócelo en todos tus caminos, Y él enderezará tus veredas. No seas sabio en tu propia opinión; Teme a Jehová, y apártate del mal; Porque será medicina a tu cuerpo, Y refrigerio para tus huesos. Honra a Jehová con tus bienes, Y con las primicias de todos tus frutos; Y serán llenos tus graneros con abundancia, Y tus lagares rebosarán de mosto.”

En este episodio, basado en S. Mateo 24:45-47, comparto algunas experiencias de mi vida y de mi matrimonio que me desafiaron a confiar más en Dios. "Mi matrimonio, mi casa, mi ministerio" es un programa misionero de la Asociación de Michigan, en Estados Unidos.

Fue presentado el 24 de mayo de 2025 en Camp AU Sable, en Grayling, MI, como parte del programa del Campamento del Ministerio Hispano de la Asociación de Michigan, Estados Unidos.

El libro mencionado en este episodio, Consejos Sobre Mayordomía, está disponible aquí en formato audio, HTML y PDF: https://m.egwwritings.org/es/book/164/info

Jesus nos recomenda guardar tesouros no Céu. Será que não é fantasiar demais? Ouça e decida.

Este episódio foi gravado durante o segundo culto da Igreja do UNASP-SP, ou seja, a Igreja Jovem, no dia 22 de fevereiro de 2025, e é ligeiramente diferente do sermão com o mesmo nome (⁠#437 - Tesouros no Céu e Meu Testemunho⁠), pregado no primeiro culto.

 MúsicaOficial: "Minha Oração" (My Prayer). Musica de Gloria Roe. Letra de Gloria Roe e O. J. Smith (versão em português: Marcos Bomfim).

Recomendei estes dois episódios:

#278 - Minha Luta para Confiar

#274 - A Oração e os Desejos

Minhas anotações:

Apelo - entregar sua vida a Jesus

Mat 6:19-24 - “Não acumuleis para vós outros tesouros sobre a terra, onde a traça e a ferrugem corroem e onde ladrões escavam e roubam; 20 mas ajuntai para vós outros tesouros no céu, onde traça nem ferrugem corrói, e onde ladrões não escavam, nem roubam; 21 porque, onde está o teu tesouro, aí estará também o teu coração. 22 São os olhos a lâmpada do corpo. Se os teus olhos forem bons, todo o teu corpo será luminoso; 23 se, porém, os teus olhos forem maus, todo o teu corpo estará em trevas. Portanto, caso a luz que em ti há sejam trevas, que grandes trevas serão! 24 Ninguém pode servir a dois senhores; porque ou há de aborrecer-se de um e amar ao outro, ou se devotará a um e desprezará ao outro. Não podeis servir a Deus e às riquezas.”

•               Muitos pensam que quando Jesus se referiu aos dois senhores, estava falando de Deus e o Diabo.

•               Não é o diabo que rivaliza com Deus aqui, mas o dinheiro.

•               Mais gente devota ao consumismo que ao satanismo.

•               Temos medo do diabo mas atração pelo dinheiro.

Não é que seja errado ajuntar tesouros na terra. É simplesmente uma tolice.

Vamos perder tudo! Como?

•               vamos morrer, e caixão não tem gaveta. Não leva nada. Nu cheguei e nu sairei

•               Apoc 18 prevê a dissolução do sistema econômico mundial.

•               Em certo momento os que temem a Deus não poderão mais comprar ou vender.

•               Um pouco antes da volta de Jesus, turbas enfurecidas nos farão fugir deixando tudo para trás (Mat 24:15-22). Já iriamos perder tudo de qualquer maneira.

1 Tim 6:17-19 - “Exorta aos ricos do presente século que não sejam orgulhosos, nem depositem a sua esperança na instabilidade da riqueza, mas em Deus, que tudo nos proporciona ricamente para nosso aprazimento; 18 que pratiquem o bem, sejam ricos de boas obras, generosos em dar e prontos a repartir; 19 que acumulem para si mesmos tesouros, sólido fundamento para o futuro, a fim de se apoderarem da verdadeira vida.”

O que JESUS diz que devemos fazer?

Lucas 16:1-15 ADMINISTRADOR.

 Meu Testemunho:

 ·      Igreja do UNASP – 11 anos

·      Namoro c/ Mari – pacto

·      Casamento 1986 – aumento do pacto (de 3% para 5%)

·      Mari para de trabalhar

• • • Hospital - quase morte
    • Chamado para SC
    • Chamado p/ dobrar o pacto

Should we attend church on Sabbath, or is staying home and watching sermons enough? Jesus' custom was to go to the synagogue every Sabbath (Luke 4:16). Should we follow His example by attending to the church on Sabbath?

In this episode, we will explore Jesus' practice of assembling with other people on Sabbath, following God's injunction in Leviticus 23:3 for a Holy Convocation (Heb. miqra) on that day.

Together, we’ll examine why Sabbath attendance matters for spiritual growth, mission, and community life.

Scriptures referenced in this message:

Luke 4:16

Leviticus 23:3

Ezekiel 46:3

Hebrews 10:24-25

Isaiah 56:7-8

Ellen G. White quotation mentioned:

"Every believer should be wholehearted in his attachment to the church. Its prosperity should be his first interest, and unless he feels under sacred obligations to make his connection with the church a benefit to it in preference to himself, it can do far better without him. It is in the power of all to do something for the cause of God. There are those who spend a large amount for needless luxuries; they gratify their appetites, but feel it a great tax to contribute means to sustain the church. They are willing to receive all the benefit of its privileges, but prefer to leave others to pay the bills. Those who really feel a deep interest in the advancement of the cause, will not hesitate to invest money in the enterprise whenever and wherever it is needed.—Testimonies for the Church 4:18 (also in Counsels on Stewardship, page 42).

The book Counsels on Stewardship is available here: https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/22/info

This message was originally presented during the General Conference Sabbath School and Personal Ministries, Women's Ministries, and Stewardship Ministries departmental worship on November 19, 2025.

Este episódio apresenta a relação entre os conceitos de posse e propriedade. Noções corretas sobre propriedade tendem a produzir paz e segurança. Quando reconheço que não sou dono de nada, nem fico chateado quando perco algo, e nem me apego indevidamente às que ganho. Sei que o verdadeiro Dono é mais capaz de cuidar das coisas dEle do que eu, que sou apenas um mordomo ou “despenseiro” (administrador da despensa) do Dono.

O livro Conselhos Sobre Mordomia está disponível aqui: https://m.egwwritings.org/pt/book/1810/info

Episódio apresentado originalmente na Igreja Adventista da Moóca, São Paulo, SP, em 23 de agosto de 2025.

¿Qué es la fe? ¿Es un sentimiento o un princípio?

Basado en Heb 1:6 y Rom 5:1, este episodio fue presentado fue presentado virtualmente durante un devocional a los empleados de la Asociación Central Dominicana, en la Republica Dominicana, en el 15 de Mayo de 2025.

My notes:

Two stories and how they relate to the final events: the worship of the golden image (Daniel 3) and Peter’s arrest and deliverance (Acts 12:1-17).

Both stories remind us that we don’t need to fear all the threats, tribulations, or even death that we may face at the very end. God is in complete control of all that is happening.

Presented at the General Conference Office Worship on June 17, 2025.

Questions to consider:

• Should they not have been more flexible?
• Wouldn't that lack of flexibility be a sign of radicalism, fanaticism, or extremism? They could have pretended to worship the image while praying to God in their hearts… But they knew that genuine internal acquiescence would always be revealed externally.

• What is fanaticism?

The book of Deuteronomy (6:2) teaches us that to fear the Lord implies keeping ALL His statutes and His commandments, even those that may be considered minor ones, whose disregard may be considered as socially acceptable today.

Rev 13:15 -  

What is THE IMAGE of the beast (1st beast):

When will the image of the beast be formed? When the church and state will be united, and religious observances will be enforced by civil and political power.

The social and religious background:

• Social and spiritual values are extremely eroded, and many Christians are tired of how politics have supported and even promoted wicked values. Therefore, they will support a government that is perceived as promoting a return to ancient moral and spiritual values to protect the family and society.

• There will be miracles and revivals as a result of this movement. They will resemble, in almost all aspects, the true revivals, except in one detail. They will not lead to complete obedience to God’s law, namely, the day of worship.

What does worshipping the image of the beast mean?

Then another question is crucial:

• But is that detail about which day should be kept pertinent if all are seeking the restoration of spiritual and social values? Will dissenters not be found working against a common good?

When will the Image of the Beast be formed?“When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions. Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result.” GC379 (446).

THE IMAGE:

If you worship it

If you don’t worship it, Acts 12:1-17 (James’ death and Peter’s arrest) - There was in force a death penalty against Christians.

Peter was delivered, but James (John’s brother) was killed. Why were some believers spared while others were not?

Revelation 2:10-11

Should we expect death or deliverance?

Modern Babylon seduces its worshipers by offering them material prosperity with one hand. Tithes and offerings now are a much-needed preparation for this moment. It removes some money from us, making us more vulnerable and leading us to pray more and learn how to trust God and live by faith.

Those who love money now and have not learned to live by faith will be easily trapped by Babylon.

 When will people receive “the mark of the beast?”

See - The Great Controversy, p. 449.

 What is this mark?

THE MARK

How to trust God more, how to increase our faith, and be prepared for the final events?