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Ecclesiastes 1:18—“For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.”

Solomon is reflecting on his "under the sun" experiment. He sought to find meaning through intellectual mastery, only to discover a painful paradox: the more you understand the world, the more you realise how broken it truly is. The pursuit of earthly wisdom acts like a high-definition lens; it brings the vibrant beauty of creation into focus, yet it inevitably exposes the raw fractures of injustice, frailty, and the deep architecture of human grief. Increased knowledge sharpens our inability to secure lasting joy. Thus, grief arises from human wisdom without divine redemption.

In our world today, we chase information as if it were treasure. We believe that more data will give us clarity, control, and peace. But Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, gently corrects us. When pursued as an end in itself, man’s knowledge cannot heal the human condition. 

Solomon’s remark acknowledges the reality of the Fall. To know more of this world is to see more of the "groaning" of creation (Romans 8:22). The wisdom of this world is an invitation to behold its pain without a true solution.

This is a call to tempered expectations. If we feel a growing heaviness as we mature or deepen our understanding, we are not failing; we are waking up. We must lean not on our own understanding, but on the One who holds all knowledge.

Our sorrow in gaining knowledge should never lead to despair, but to a deeper dependence on Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Without Christ as our foundation, worldly wisdom is a weight that eventually crushes us; it exposes the world’s ruin but offers no power to redeem it, leaving us to labour under the impossible task of self-restoration.

Ecclesiastes 1:14—“I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.”

Solomon, the "Preacher", speaks in the opening movements of Ecclesiastes as a seasoned observer of life "under the sun”. This phrase describes life viewed from an earthly, human perspective, separate from God's eternal purposes. When he writes in Ecclesiastes 1:14 that he has seen "all the works done under the sun”, he isn't merely being cynical; he is being exhaustive.

The preacher surveys human effort, achievement, pleasure, and ambition, concluding that all is "vanity." The Hebrew word used here, hebel, can be literally translated to “breath”, “vapour”, or “mist”. It denotes things that are real to the touch but fleeting and unable to satisfy the soul's deepest longings. This creates a profound theological tension: our daily labour has substance, yet it lacks permanence. We build, we buy, and we achieve, only to find that these works cannot provide the ultimate meaning they seemingly promise.

The phrase "vexation of spirit" suggests a deep, restless frustration, like chasing after the wind. It captures the pastoral reality of the human condition: the spiritual exhaustion that follows when we treat finite things as if they were infinite. If we expect our careers, legacies, or pleasures to anchor our souls, we will inevitably find ourselves trying to catch the breeze.

This verse is a theological warning that created things cannot bear the weight of ultimate fulfilment. As Psalm 39:5 reminds us, "…every man at his best state is altogether vanity”. However, this is not a call to despair, but to reorientation. By stripping away the illusion that satisfaction can be manufactured "under the sun”, the Preacher clears the stage for God.

Restlessness results from living only horizontally. True meaning is found by looking upward to the Creator. In Christ, our labour is no longer in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58), for what is done in Him transcends the mist and takes on eternal value.

Isaiah 46:10— “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.”

The LORD reminds His people that history is not random. “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done...” From the beginning to the end, all things unfold according to His sovereign purpose. 

The Prophet Isaiah reveals that God does not merely predict the future; He authors it. Unlike the pagan gods who were carried by men, the God of Israel carries His people, orchestrating history from its inception to its final “Amen.”

What He purposed cannot be frustrated or altered. When God says, “My counsel shall stand”, He is asserting that His purposes are never frustrated by human failure or global upheaval. The Hebrew word for “counsel” (‘etsah) implies a deliberate plan or blueprint. He is the Master Architect who sees the completed cathedral while the ground is still being broken. His “pleasure” is not a whimsical impulse, but the execution of His perfect, holy will.

God’s sovereignty and His providence provide the ultimate antidote to our anxieties. We are often paralysed by the unknowns of tomorrow. Yet, we serve a God who is already there. If He has declared the end from the beginning, then our current situation, no matter how confusing, is not the final page. We can rest in the certainty that His counsel for our lives will stand. Let us trust the One who holds the blueprint.

This truth brings deep comfort and steady assurance. Though our lives often feel uncertain, and circumstances seem beyond control, nothing lies outside God’s sovereign will. What He has purposed for His glory and for His people will surely come to pass. Therefore, trust His counsel when you cannot trace His hand. Rest in His sovereignty when the future is unclear. He is guiding you to the end He has purposed.

To think often of our heavenly home is essential for a faithful Christian life. Scripture exhorts us, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). When our minds are fixed on heaven, earthly trials lose their weight, temptations lose their power, and our priorities are rightly ordered. The hope of being with Christ purifies our hearts, as it is written, “Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:3). Meditating on our eternal home strengthens perseverance, deepens our love for Christ, and reminds us that our present sufferings are but temporary, preparing us for everlasting glory.

The Christian life is a pilgrimage. We are journeying through a world that is not our final resting place. Scripture reminds us, “For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come” (Hebrews 13:14). The believer’s true home is not earthly, but heavenly.

Our Lord Jesus Christ gave this blessed assurance: “In my Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). Heaven is not a vague hope, but a prepared place for a prepared people. It is the dwelling of God, where Christ Himself will receive His own unto Himself.

This heavenly home is marked by glory beyond imagination. The apostle John writes, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying” (Revelation 21:4). All the burdens of this present life—pain, loss, and struggle—shall be forever removed. Sin will no longer trouble us, for we shall be made perfect in holiness.

Moreover, heaven is a place of eternal fellowship. We shall behold the face of our Redeemer, for “we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). The presence of Christ will be our greatest joy, surpassing all earthly comforts.

Therefore, let us live as those whose citizenship is above. Let us not set our affections on things of the earth, but on things above (Colossians 3:2). In trials, let this hope sustain us; in service, let it motivate us.

Our heavenly home is sure. Christ has prepared it, and He will come again. Until then, we press on with faith, longing for that glorious day when we shall dwell forever with the Lord. We are more certain of reaching heaven than of returning safely to our homes today, for Christ Himself has promised eternal life to all who trust in Him!

As a pilgrim I look for a better country
Which my LORD is preparing for me.
In that glory land where God is the builder,
He promised me a mansion in His house.
There’ll be glory for me at the end of this road;
There’ll be glory that outshines my troubles here.
So I patiently endure, as I forward go;
With a hope that is steadfast and sure.

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Greetings from Overseas Brethren

Shillong, India

Dear Pastor, Elders, Deacons, and beloved brethren of Gethsemane B-P Church,

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I write this letter with a heart full of gratitude to express my sincere thanks for your love and acts of kindness towards my family and me. Your generosity, especially through the blessing we received from Sister Dorcas last week, deeply moved us and reminded us of the grace of God at work through His people.

As the apostle teaches in Galatians 6:10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Truly, I have seen this lived out among you. Your love is not merely in word, but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18), and through it we have been deeply strengthened and encouraged in the Lord.

Though I have nothing to offer in return, the one thing I continually do is to pray for each one of you. I earnestly and sincerely ask that the Lord Himself would richly reward your labour of love, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister”(Hebrews 6:10). I pray that the Lord may prosper the work of your ministry. May He establish the work of your hands and make your service effective in the advancement of His kingdom.

I also pray that the Lord would bless each individual and every family among you, strengthening you with all power according to His glorious might (Colossians 1:11), supplying all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19), and causing ye to abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). May He keep you steadfast in the faith, growing in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). To Him be glory both now and forever.

Therefore, brethren, I thank God upon every remembrance of you, rejoicing in how He has used you as instruments of His grace in my life and family. In moments of need, you did not abandon us, but stood alongside me. Your care has been a blessing, and a means by which the Lord has upheld us in every circumstance, and we give Him all the glory.

May the Lord richly bless each one of you, and may He continue to use Gethsemane B-P Church as a shining testimony of His grace and a beacon of truth. We continually remember you in our prayers.

With heartfelt thanks and in the love of Christ,
Pastor Jied 

Kamoi, Kenya

Thanks for the prayers and support from you and all at Gethsemane B-P Church. Your support over the years has helped me continue in my preaching ministry and care for Gideon, my son, who is unwell.

Recently, I have been troubled by high blood pressure and blood sugar. Praise the Lord, they have come down. Continue to pray for me to be well.

My sincere greetings to the Gethsemanean brethren. God bless.

Rev. Joseph Kendagor

Mumbai, India

Pastor Klepa had sustained deep cuts in his mouth and lower lip when he fell during a church game event. Praise God for the medical care and the quick recovery that allowed him to return to his preaching and pastoral work.  The following message from Pastor Klepa was received on last Sunday night.

Dear Pastor,

Last week, I landed up in the operating theatre of the hospital, and went through a difficult time as I needed 20 stitches for cuts sustained during a fall. But by the grace of God, today I am able to stand and preach His Word. My heart is filled with deep gratitude to the Lord. Just a week ago, when I fell, I could not even imagine that  I would be able to preach again so soon, but God, in His mercy, has granted me healing and strength.

I truly thank the Lord for the healing, strength and opportunity to be used for His Kingdom in proclaiming His Word. I was eagerly waiting for this moment, and today I stood to preach the Word only because of His grace.

I sincerely thank each one of you for your prayers, concern, and support during this time. Please continue to remember me in your prayers, as I am still in the recovery phase. The internal stitches are healing, and the external stitches will be removed on 16th April.

My grateful prayer is that I will not take God’s grace for granted and waste the opportunities to preach His Word. May God help me to use it fully for His glory.

All glory be to God!
Pastor Klepa

Sermon Text: Psalm 132:1–9
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 19th April 2026

Isaiah 46:9—“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.”

The first seven verses of this chapter expose idols as powerless burdens (Isaiah 46:1–7). It is in this context that the LORD calls His people to remember His mighty acts in history. Unlike lifeless idols that must be carried, the true God carries His people and sustains them.

Israel was tempted to trust in false gods, raising altars and groves throughout the land. God responded to Israel’s idolatry with the looming threat of exile; yet in mercy, He summoned them to remember His unrivalled greatness, before which every idol is nothing. 

God told them to “Remember the former things of old”. He directed them backwards to move them forward. By recalling His past faithfulness, they would be strengthened to trust His present sovereignty. Memory becomes a means of faith.

He then declared His absolute uniqueness and sovereign authority over all things. There is none beside Him, none equal to Him, none comparable with Him. He alone declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), governing all things according to His will.

God commands us to “remember” Him and His deeds. In times of fear, confusion, or temptation, we are prone to forget who God is. We look to lesser things for security. Yet God calls us back to Himself. Remember His works. Recall His faithfulness. Rehearse His promises.

When fear or uncertainty rises, do you remember who God truly is, or do you turn to lesser things for security? Are there ‘rivals’ in your life that quietly compete with your trust in God? Let us always recall His greatness and trust Him deeply.

Ezra 3:3—“And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening.”

Returned from the Babylonian exile, the people of Israel faced uncertainty and opposition. Surrounded by hostile neighbours, fear was real and pressing. Yet their first act was not defence, but devotion.

The event in our text occurred before the temple was rebuilt. Though the structure lay in ruins, the altar was restored. Worship took priority over security. The people understood that their greatest need was not protection from enemies, but reconciliation and communion with God. Their sacrifices expressed dependence, repentance, and renewed covenant commitment.

The altar points to the necessity of atonement and access to God. Even in fear, the people drew near through sacrifice. This anticipates Christ, our perfect sacrifice, through whom we have boldness to approach God (Hebrews 10:19). In Him, fear is met not merely with courage, but with communion. The cross assures us that God is for us, even when threats surround us.

This passage teaches us how to respond when anxiety and fear press us. We are often tempted to focus first on our circumstances, but Scripture calls us to prioritise worship. Give priority to worship in your life. Seek God morning and evening. Bring your fears before Him in faith and prayer. Do not neglect to gather with His people to express your gratitude and reliance on God. 

When fear rises, let worship rise higher. In drawing near to God, we find strength, peace, and assurance in His presence.

Joshua 21:45—“There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.”

These words come at the close of Israel’s long journey from Egypt to Canaan. After years of wandering, warfare, and waiting, God’s promises stood fully accomplished. Not one word had fallen to the ground.

When the promised land was possessed, rest was granted, and God’s faithfulness was displayed before the entire nation. It marks the fulfilment of covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses. Though Israel had often faltered in unbelief, God remained steadfast. Their failures did not nullify His faithfulness, for He is true to His word.

“Not one word had fallen to the ground” is an affirmation of the absolute reliability of God’s Word. Every promise He spoke to Israel stood firm and was fulfilled in time. Nothing was lost, forgotten, or rendered void. It highlights God’s faithfulness and certainty, assuring believers that His spoken Word never fails but accomplishes all His holy purpose.

What the LORD speaks, He performs. His Word is not subject to change, delay, or failure. This truth finds its fullest expression in Christ, in whom all the promises of God are “yea, and in him Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20). Every promise of salvation, grace, and eternal life is secured in Him.

What an encouragement to trust God with unwavering confidence! We live between promise and fulfilment, often facing delays due to our doubts and disobedience. Yet this testimony assures us that not one of God’s good promises will fail. What He has spoken concerning your life, your salvation, and your future will surely come to pass.

Therefore, wait patiently, believe firmly, and rest confidently. The God who kept every promise to Israel will keep every promise to you.

Numbers 21:8–9—“And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.” 

After murmuring against God, Israel in the wilderness was judged by fiery serpents whose bites brought death. Yet in mercy, the Lord provided a remedy. He commanded Moses to lift up a serpent of brass upon a pole, declaring that whoever looked upon it would live. The cure was not earned, but received by a simple, obedient gaze.

This event reveals both the seriousness of sin and the compassion of God. Israel’s rebellion deserved judgment, yet God made a way of deliverance. The remedy seemed unusual, even foolish by human reasoning, yet it was entirely sufficient because it was appointed by God. Life was not found in human effort, but in trusting God’s provision.

Jesus drew upon this event in Israel’s history to point His hearers clearly to Himself. In John 3:14–15, Jesus declares, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” Just as the serpent was lifted up to deliver from certain death, so Christ was lifted up on the cross to bring salvation to the soul. He who knew no sin was made sin for us, that we might live through Him.

We are all bitten by sin and under its deadly curse. Yet God has provided a Saviour. We are not called to achieve, but to look in faith. Fix your gaze upon Christ crucified. In Him alone there is life. Look and live.

Numbers 10:35–36—"And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee. And when it rested, he said, Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel."

Here we witness a sacred rhythm in Israel’s wilderness journey. Whether advancing or abiding, in conflict or in calm, every step of Israel’s journey was ordered and governed by the presence of the LORD. Whenever the ark set forward, Moses prayed, “Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered”. And when it rested, he pleaded, “Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel”.

These brief prayers reveal a profound theology of dependence. Israel did not move presumptuously; they moved only when God led. The ark symbolised the LORD’s presence among His people, and Moses understood that victory over enemies was not due to Israel’s strength, but God’s rising. This echoes the truth of Psalm 68:1, later drawn from this very passage, affirming that God Himself scatters His enemies. “God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.” 

Contextually, Israel stood at the threshold of uncertainty. The wilderness was hostile, enemies were real, and the future was unknown. Yet Moses anchors the people not in strategy, but in supplication. Every advance begins with “Rise up, LORD”, and every rest concludes with “Return, O LORD”. Their entire journey is framed by divine presence.

Theologically, this reminds us of Christ, God dwelling with His people (cf. John 1:14). We are not alone in our battles with sin, fear, and the world. Jesus goes before us, giving us victory (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:57), and in His presence we find true rest (cf. Matthew 11:28).

This passage calls us to live in conscious dependence upon God. Let every endeavour begin with a plea for His guiding power, and every day close with a longing for His abiding presence. Whether moving forward or resting, let our hearts echo the prayer of Moses: "Rise up, LORD. Return, O LORD".