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1 Kings 18:21—“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD beGod, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.”

Elijah’s challenge on Mount Carmel came at a time of profound spiritual apostasy in Israel. Under the wicked king, Ahab, and his wicked wife Jezebel, the worship of Baal had spread throughout the nation, yet many Israelites still professed allegiance to the LORD. Rather than openly rejecting Jehovah, they attempted to combine the worship of the true God with idolatry. Elijah exposed this dangerous compromise by asking, “How long halt ye between two opinions?” The word “halt” conveys the idea of limping or wavering, portraying a divided heart unable to walk steadfastly with God.

The prophet's call was clear and uncompromising: “If the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.” The living God demands exclusive devotion. He will not share His glory with idols (Isa. 42:8), nor does He accept divided loyalty. God’s covenant people are called to love Him with all their heart, soul, and might (Deut. 6:5).

The people’s silence revealed the guilt of their consciences. They could not defend their compromise, yet neither were they prepared to repent. Spiritual indecision is itself a decision against wholehearted obedience.

This challenge remains relevant today. Modern idols may not be carved images but wealth, success, pleasure, popularity, or self. Whenever believers attempt to serve both Christ and the world, they repeat Israel’s error. Our Lord declared, “No man can serve two masters” (Matt. 6:24). Let us therefore examine our hearts and resolve, by God’s grace, to follow the Lord wholeheartedly, for He alone is the true and living God, worthy of our complete trust, worship, and obedience.

1 Kings 17:24—“And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.”

This was the confession of the widow of Zarephath. After witnessing the LORD’s miraculous preservation of her household through the unfailing supply of meal and oil during the famine (1 Kings 17:8–16), the widow’s joy was soon overshadowed by deep sorrow as her only son fell sick and died. Elijah earnestly interceded for the dead child. “The LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived” (v. 22). Overwhelmed by this undeniable display of God's power, the widow declared, “Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.”

Her confession is significant because it affirms two inseparable realities. First, Elijah was indeed “a man of God”. This title in Scripture denotes one who is called, commissioned, and governed by God. Elijah’s authority did not arise from personal charisma or miraculous abilities but from his faithful service as God’s messenger. The miracle did not create his authority; rather, it confirmed that he truly spoke on God's behalf.

Second, and more importantly, the widow acknowledged that “the word of the LORD” in Elijah’s mouth “is truth”. The emphasis falls not merely on the prophet but on the divine message he proclaimed. Throughout this chapter, Elijah repeatedly spoke only what God had revealed, whether announcing the drought (17:1), directing the widow (17:13–14), or praying for the child’s restoration (17:20–22). Every word proved trustworthy because it originated from the God who cannot lie (Num. 23:19; Titus 1:2).

This passage reminds us that God authenticates His own Word. The miracles were not intended simply to display divine power; they served to confirm the divine authority and truthfulness of God’s revelation. Like the widow, believers often come to a deeper appreciation of God’s truth through His gracious dealings in times of trial. Affliction may test our faith, but God’s faithfulness strengthens our confidence in His Word. 

1 Kings 17:12—”And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for my son and me, that we may eat it, and die.” 

The widow of Zarephath uttered these words during one of the darkest moments of her life. A severe famine, brought by God’s judgment upon Israel (1 Kings 17:1), had extended into neighbouring Sidon, leaving even this Gentile widow destitute. She possessed only enough meal and oil for one final meal before she and her son expected to die. Humanly speaking, every earthly hope had vanished.

Yet this desperate situation became the setting for God’s glorious provision. Before Elijah multiplied her resources through God’s promise, the widow was called to trust the Lord beyond what she could see. She knew the God of Israel only as “the LORD thy God”, but through this trial she would come to know Him as her own faithful Provider.

God’s providence is never limited by our poverty or circumstances. The Lord who commanded the ravens to feed Elijah now prepared a poor widow to sustain His prophet. God’s resources never diminish, even when ours are exhausted. He often allows His people to reach the end of their own strength so that they may discover the sufficiency of His grace.

Believers today also face seasons when resources seem inadequate and the future uncertain. At such times, we must not measure God’s faithfulness by what remains in our “barrel” or “cruse”, but by His unfailing promises. The Lord who sustained the widow still cares for those who trust Him. When human hope fails, divine providence never does. “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).

The church of Jesus Christ exists because God established it, and it continues because God faithfully sustains it. Every aspect of the church’s ministry, such as preaching the Gospel, discipling believers, supporting pastors and missionaries, caring for the needy, publishing biblical literature, and sending forth labourers, depends entirely upon God’s gracious provision. The Scriptures consistently teach that the Lord never calls His church to a work without also providing what is necessary to accomplish it. Though He often uses His people as instruments, all provisions ultimately come from Him.

The apostle Paul reminds us, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). This promise was given to believers who had generously supported God’s work through Paul. Their giving did not impoverish them, for God Himself undertook to meet their needs. The church, therefore, must never trust in human wealth or worldly methods, but in the inexhaustible riches of her heavenly Father.

Pastors and Preachers

God first provides for His church by calling and equipping faithful servants to shepherd His flock and proclaim His truth. The ascended Christ Himself “gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11). These ministers are not self-appointed professionals or merely employees of the church; they are Christ’s gifts to His people, raised up according to His sovereign will for the edification of His body.

The Lord graciously places within those whom He calls a deep burden for the salvation of souls and a heartfelt love for His church. Like the apostle Paul, they are constrained by the love of Christ and willingly devote themselves to the ministry of the Word and prayer (Acts 6:4). This inward calling is confirmed by the church as the Lord makes evident both the man’s godly character and his fitness for ministry (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9).

Full-time ministry staff: The Lord also calls some believers to full-time ministry roles that support and facilitate the ministry of the Word, even though they are not called to preaching ministries. Paul travelled with numerous co-workers whose ministries were largely supportive. Examples of such men in supportive roles include Luke, Tychicus and Epaphroditus. These workers were recognised, entrusted with responsibility, and often supported by the church.

From this principle, churches may legitimately recognise and appoint full-time administrative, publishing, media, or logistical workers today.

God not only calls His servants but also equips them. Through the Holy Spirit, He grants the spiritual gifts, wisdom, and grace necessary to preach His Word faithfully, shepherd His people lovingly, defend sound doctrine courageously, and lead the church with humility (1 Corinthians 12:4–11; 2 Timothy 2:24–25). Though ministers must diligently study the Scriptures and labour earnestly in their calling, they shall also continually depend upon God’s enabling grace, confessing with Paul, “our sufficiency is of God” (2 Corinthians 3:5).

The church should therefore receive faithful pastors and preachers, along with their supporting team that God has provided, and with gratitude, pray for them continually and support them in their ministry. By providing godly shepherds, Christ demonstrates His unfailing care for His church, ensuring that His people are fed with the truth, guarded from error, and built up in the faith until He comes again.

Open Doors of Ministry

The Lord who commissions His church also opens doors for its ministry. Paul rejoiced when “a great door and effectual is opened unto me” (1 Corinthians 16:9), and he requested prayer that “God would open unto us a door of utterance” (Colossians 4:3). Whether in our local community or in distant lands, every genuine opportunity to preach the Gospel, establish churches, teach the Scriptures, publish biblical literature, or train labourers is granted by God’s sovereign providence. No human effort can create such opportunities apart from His will. 

The Lord opens hearts to receive His Word (Acts 16:14), directs His servants to needy fields (Acts 16:6–10), and prepares circumstances for the advancement of the Gospel. As He enlarges the church’s opportunities, He also provides the workers with the wisdom, finances, and strength required for the task. 

In this regard, we thank God for all the local and foreign avenues He has opened before our church to spread the Gospel, establish churches, and train men for the work of the Gospel. 

We as a church must prayerfully discern and faithfully enter every door that He graciously opens for His glory.

Material Provision

God ordinarily provides for His church through the willing generosity of His redeemed people. Under both the Old and New Testaments, His people were called to support the worship and service of God. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul writes, “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14). Those who devote themselves to preaching and teaching are to be sustained by the church, enabling them to labour without distraction in the ministry of the Word.

Christian giving is never to be regarded as a burdensome duty or an attempt to earn God’s favour. Rather, it is the joyful and grateful response of hearts transformed by His saving grace. The Macedonian churches exemplified this spirit. Though enduring “a great trial of affliction” and “deep poverty”, they abounded in liberality because they “first gave their own selves to the Lord” (2 Corinthians 8:2, 5). Their generosity flowed from consecrated hearts, not from material abundance. Likewise, Paul exhorts, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

The church needs no manipulative fundraising, emotional pressure, or promises of earthly prosperity in exchange for financial gifts. Scripture knows nothing of coercive appeals or commercialised ministry. Christian giving is an act of worship offered voluntarily, joyfully, and thankfully unto God. The Lord delights in willing sacrifices born of love, rather than gifts extracted through guilt or worldly persuasion.

The oft-quoted saying of Hudson Taylor expresses a biblical principle: “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” While this should not be interpreted to mean that God’s servants will always enjoy abundance or receive immediate answers, it rightly affirms that the Lord never fails to provide all that is necessary to accomplish His purposes. Sometimes He supplies through generous believers, sometimes through unexpected providences, sometimes through sacrificial labour, and often after seasons of waiting that deepen our faith.

The church today has every reason to trust her faithful Lord. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”  (Romans 8:32). Therefore, let believers give cheerfully, administer faithfully, pray earnestly, and labour diligently, remembering that the ministry belongs to the Lord. As Scripture declares, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!

The Lord has graciously provided sufficient funds to meet the substantial shortfall through the generous giving of the members and friends of GBPC over the past week. We praise Him that, by His faithful provision, this financial year can now conclude without the deficit we had feared. May the Lord bless all the cheerful givers!

Sermon Text: Psalm 139:1–12
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 28th June 2026

1 Kings 8:27—“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?”

These words were spoken by Solomon at the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem. Although he had completed the magnificent house built for the worship of the LORD, Solomon humbly acknowledged that no earthly structure could contain the infinite God. Even “the heaven and heaven of heavens”, the vast created universe in all its immensity, cannot contain His glorious being. God is transcendent, eternal, omnipresent, and infinitely greater than all creation.

Yet Solomon's question also highlights the wonder of God's covenant grace. Though God cannot be confined to a temple made with hands, He graciously chose to manifest His presence among His covenant people. The temple was never God's dwelling in the sense of limiting His presence, but the appointed place where He revealed His glory, accepted the sacrifices of His people, and heard their prayers (vv. 28–30).

This truth reaches its fullest expression in Jesus Christ. “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). In Christ, God graciously came to dwell with His people without ceasing to fill heaven and earth. Today, believers are also described as “the temple of the Holy Ghost” (1 Corinthians 6:19), not because God is confined within us, but because He graciously indwells us by His Spirit.

Let Solomon's confession humble our hearts. We cannot reduce God to buildings, ceremonies, or human ideas. Instead, let us worship Him with reverence and awe, marvelling that the infinite God graciously draws near to all who seek Him through Christ.

Psalm 136:4—“To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.”

Psalm 136 is a magnificent hymn of thanksgiving, “Great Hallel”,  in which every declaration of God's mighty works is followed by the refrain, “for his mercy endureth for ever”. Verse 4 stands as the majestic transition between the introductory praises of God's character and the chronological retellings of creation and deliverance. 

In verse 4, the psalmist exalts the Lord as the One “who alone doeth great wonders”. The emphasis on “alone” declares God's absolute uniqueness. No created being, no idol, and no earthly power can accomplish the marvellous works that belong exclusively to the sovereign Creator.

The “great wonders” encompass God's works of creation, providence, redemption, and continual preservation of His people. From creating the heavens (vv. 5–9), delivering Israel from Egypt (vv. 10–15), guiding them through the wilderness (v. 16), and providing for all flesh (v. 25), every mighty act reveals His infinite wisdom and omnipotent power. Yet the psalm repeatedly teaches that behind every wonder stands God's enduring covenant mercy. 

God's wonders are never mere displays of power. His mighty hand is always directed by His steadfast love toward His people. When we face circumstances beyond our ability, let us remember that the God who alone performs great wonders remains unchanged. His power has not diminished, nor has His mercy failed. Therefore, trust Him, praise Him, and rest confidently in His unfailing love, “for his mercy endureth for ever”. The greatest wonder of all is His redeeming love in Jesus Christ, through whom sinners receive forgiveness, eternal life, and reconciliation with God (Ephesians 2:4–7).

Psalm 137:4—“How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land?”

This is a cry of the captive Israelites from the depths of their despair. Carried captive to Babylon, they sat weeping by its rivers, remembering Zion, where they had worshipped the Lord according to His covenant ordinances (vv. 1–3). Their captors mockingly demanded “one of the songs of Zion”, the sacred temple music intended exclusively for the worship of the LORD. To perform these songs as mere amusement for pagan conquerors felt like a betrayal of their identity. Hanging their harps on the willow trees, they faced a crisis of expression in a foreign landscape.

Their Babylonian captors mockingly demanded songs of Zion for entertainment, but the exiles replied, “How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land?” Their question was not born of unbelief but of reverence. The sacred songs of Jehovah were not to be turned into amusement for idolaters or divorced from heartfelt worship.

What a reminder that worship belongs to God alone! True praise is not a performance to satisfy men but the sincere offering of hearts devoted to the Lord (John 4:23–24). The “LORD'S song” is holy because its subject is the holy God. It cannot be separated from faith, obedience, and covenant fellowship with Him.

Believers today also live in a “strange land” (1 Peter 2:11), surrounded by a world that neither knows nor honours the Lord. While we continue to sing His praises in every circumstance, even in suffering (Acts 16:25), we must never allow our worship to become worldly, superficial, or designed merely to entertain. Our songs should always exalt God's truth and glory.

Let every hymn we sing arise from hearts that remember our heavenly Zion. Though we are pilgrims on earth, our worship should bear witness that our true citizenship is in heaven, where one day we shall sing the new song before the throne forever.

Psalm 141:3—“Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” 

Psalm 141 is David's earnest prayer for God's preserving grace amid opposition and temptation. Surrounded by the influence of evil men (vv. 4–5), David recognised that one of the greatest spiritual dangers lay not merely outside him but within his own heart. Therefore, before asking God to restrain his enemies, he first asks God to restrain his own speech. This humble prayer reveals a heart that distrusts self and depends upon divine grace.

David utilises military language as Hebrew imagery. A “watch” (shamar) or sentry positioned at a city gate. The imagery is vivid. David pictures his mouth as the entrance to a city that needs a vigilant guard and his lips as a door requiring constant protection. He knows that words, once spoken, cannot be recalled. Scripture repeatedly warns of the power of the tongue: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21), while James declares that “the tongue is a fire” (James 3:6). Rash words can wound relationships, dishonour God, spread falsehood, and reveal an ungoverned heart.

True self-control is a work of God's sanctifying grace. The believer must diligently discipline his speech, yet he also depends upon the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of temperance (Galatians 5:22–23). Only the Lord can continually guard the heart from which words proceed, for Jesus said, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34).

Let this be our daily prayer. Before speaking, let us ask the Lord to govern our thoughts, purify our motives, and season our words with grace (Colossians 4:6). A guarded tongue is evidence of a heart increasingly submitted to Christ. When God watches over our lips, our speech becomes an instrument of truth, encouragement, peace, and praise to His glory.

Ezra 7:10—“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.”

Ezra stands before us as a godly example of wholehearted devotion to God’s Word. He lived during a crucial period in Israel’s history, when the Jewish exiles had returned from Babylon and needed spiritual restoration. The nation’s greatest need was not political strength or material prosperity, but a renewed commitment to the LORD and His revealed truth. 

Ezra, the scribe, became God's servant in restoring the spiritual life of the returned exiles through the ministry of His Word. Ezra’s secret to public impact lay in his private devotion. The sequence of his ministry in Ezra 7:10 provides a timeless blueprint for spiritual leadership and personal transformation.

The phrase “prepared his heart” speaks of deliberate spiritual resolve. The Hebrew word for "prepared" (kun) signifies establishing, fixing, or making unmovable. Ezra did not approach God’s Word casually or carelessly. He set his affections and intentions upon the LORD and His Word. Notice the threefold pattern in Ezra’s life. First, he sought the law of the LORD. He was a diligent student of divine revelation, desiring to know God’s mind. Second, he purposed to do it. Knowledge without obedience is hypocrisy. James later echoed this principle: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). Third, Ezra taught God’s statutes and judgments to others. True spiritual leadership flows from a life that first learns and obeys God’s truth.

Likewise, believers must cultivate a heart that is ready to hear, receive, and obey God’s truth. As the Psalmist prayed, “Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes” (Psalm 119:33).

This order is significant: seek, do, then teach. Many desire to teach before they have learned, or to instruct others before obeying themselves. Ezra’s ministry possessed authority because his life was submitted to the Word he proclaimed.

May we likewise prepare our hearts daily to seek God’s Word, practise its truths faithfully, and pass them on for the glory of God and the blessing of His people.