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READ:

2 Thessalonians 3:7

⁷ For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you.

EXHORTATION:

The early Christians paid much attention to learning from the apostles. Acts 2:42 records, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship”. In fact, the early Christians also paid attention to the apostles’ conduct. Many of the early Christians, who came from heathen families and societies, were accustomed to immoral and ungodly ways of life. Even those who came from Jewish background needed to shed their hypocritical, legalistic way of life. They knew that the best examples they could pattern their lives after, were the lives of the apostles and those who walked after them.

The apostles had always been careful to provide an example for the early Christians. So Paul could undoubtedly say, “for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you”. In his earlier epistle to the Thessalonians, Paul reminded them, “Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:10). The lives of the apostles constitute an irrefutable testimony of the kind of godly living which they could hold up before all Christians and say, “Now, follow us.” Paul said, “Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me” (1 Corinthians 4:16). Again he said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” To the Philippian saints, he beseeched, “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample” (Philippians 3:17).

It is God’s will that the ministers of the Word should be examples to the flock. To Timothy, his protégé in the ministry, Paul said, “be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). In similar fashion, Peter admonished the elders, “Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3). An important and abiding duty of every leader of the church in all ages is that he should so live his life that his people can follow his example to live a life of piety. Unfortunately, many leaders of the churches today are seen having the “Do as I say, not as I do” philosophy. Leading by example is often missing in many pastorates in these days. A pastor should never live in a manner which another believer cannot do likewise. In both public and secret areas of his life, he must be blameless and worthy of emulation. So, pray for exemplary pastors!

READ:

2 Thessalonians 3:5

⁵ And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

EXHORTATION:

This is Paul’s pastoral prayer and wish for the church. He prayed that the Lord would “direct” their hearts. The Greek verb for “direct” generally means to guide one’s way straight towards a place. Paul’s desire is that every Christian will be constantly led forward by God into a deeper, firmer relationship with God and Christ. No higher prayer can be offered than this – that by the influence of the Spirit of God, we may be led into the vibrant, unhindered operation of God’s love.

Christians’ continuous advancement in their spiritual relationship with their God and Saviour must always be sought after. Their spiritual life should not be stagnant, but constantly growing towards greater experiences of spiritual realities.

Like Paul, who trusted the Lord to direct the believers, we too can trust and pray to Him for our spiritual growth. Without the Lord’s direction, we will be like sheep that have gone astray, prodigals that have left their heavenly Father’s loving abode. If we would pray, He will lead us back to His loving presence and establish us in His love.

Hearts led by the Lord will not only obtain the joy and blessings of divine love, but will also grow in their love for God. More love for God will be seen in all aspects of their lives. Their love for God will manifest in greater appreciation for God’s Word, greater commitment to prayer, loving and generous service in the church, enthusiastic communion with God’s people, and compassion for lost souls. It would be impossible to suppress their love for God, as they grow to love Him with all their heart, mind and strength. May it be our desire to love as God has loved us!

Together with “the love of God”, the apostle Paul also mentioned “the patient waiting for Christ”. The Greek word translated as “patient waiting” denotes the idea of “the ability to continually bear up under difficult circumstances”. Impatience does not go along with love. Love begets patience. Patient waiting is the fruit of growing faith and love. It endures all circumstances with constancy, courage and steadfastness. Like Christ, we must also patiently suffer all things in love, for we know He is coming again to reward us. Therefore, in anticipation of the Lord’s return, we ought to bear difficulties, offences and sufferings with patience.

READ:

Romans 5:6

⁶ For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

EXHORTATION:

We once lived in great peril, having no strength to help ourselves out of our sins, misery and condemnation. Our impotency to help ourselves out of our utter wretchedness was an eternal peril that snared our souls. Our condition was pathetically awful, as we were “without strength”.

Our utter inability to please God – because of our sins – had left us completely open to the full force of God’s curse and wrath. “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another” (Titus 3:3). Our wretchedness reflected our cursed state – “for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Galatians 3:10).

Our sins had left us in dreadful spiritual, moral, emotional and even bodily weakness. Ungodliness had brought upon us many evils, namely the wild passions, the miseries of life, gloomy and dismal prospects, banishment from God and condemnation. It had wrecked our lives and left us in total spiritual and moral paralysis. Oh, how true it is that we had been “without strength”! What a terrible, tragic condition was ours! This malady is not a calamity befallen upon us, but a condition brought about by our own deeds. Nevertheless, how consoling it is that “in due time Christ died for the ungodly”! The divine intervention on our behalf did not come too late. Christ came to this world at the divinely appointed time. The time had been declared by the Old Testament prophets (cf. Daniel 9:26). As Paul said in Galatians 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law”.

When no man could help, Christ came. Christ means “Anointed One”. Christ, the Son of God, came as God’s appointed Saviour. He was endued with God’s perfect wisdom, power and authority to be our Saviour. He cannot and will not fail. Oh, what great news it is that God’s anointed one, Christ, has come to rescue us from our certain peril! How gracious it is that Christ “died for the ungodly”! He laid down His life on the cross, bearing upon Himself the divine justice against our sins. By His death, we have redemption. Truly, “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

READ:

Revelation 12:11b

^11b And they loved not their lives unto the death.

EXHORTATION:

This is a description of the attitude of the saints towards their own lives during the Great Tribulation period. It has already been stated in the first part of this verse that they will wholeheartedly trust in the blood of Christ to overcome the ferocious fury and hostility of Satan against their souls. They are also determined and devoted to bear witness for Christ. They fearlessly confess Jesus Christ and testify concerning Him in the midst of atrocity and violence committed against them. They are fearless and undeterred by the fierce persecution. Violence, blood, suffering and death will not stop them from living out their lives for the testimony of Christ.

The saints of Christ do not go into hiding to avoid the wrath of Satan and his hosts. They will maintain their evangelistic efforts even if it means death to them. Thus, John goes on to pinpoint the attitude behind their bold testimony, i.e. they do not love their lives to the point of death. They refuse to live for themselves. They are least concerned about their own safety when it comes to testifying for Christ.

They truly epitomise Jesus’ teaching on discipleship: “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). The true follower places Christ above everything else, even above his own life. Furthermore, Jesus said, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34). Denying oneself and bearing the cross are essential components of a life that is faithful and fervent for Christ. In other words, the faithful believers maintain their witness even if it means martyrdom.

In Revelation 2:10, the believers in Smyrna were told: “Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Many Christians will be persecuted, though not all will be put to death. So Christians must be willing to suffer and die for Christ, if necessary. They should not love a life that does not bear testimony for Christ. If the world and Satan should crush their efforts to live for Christ by inflicting death, they would happily accept it. Like Paul, their testimony would be: “Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death” (Philippians 1:20).

READ:

Revelation 12:11a

^11a And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.

EXHORTATION:

Satan and his hosts of demons have, according to previous verses of this chapter, been trying to destroy Israel and Christ and all the believers on earth. Satanic destruction has been unleashed against believers all through the ages and will reach its climax against the saints of the Great Tribulation. He will try to destroy and slaughter all of the believing people.

However, Satan will be defeated. Notice what our text says: “they overcame him”. Believers will overcome all satanic opposition and persecution. How would they overcome Satan and his demonic hosts? According to our text, their overcoming of Satan and his demons was not by rebuke, incantations, bindings of demons or exorcism.

They overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:14 describes the Tribulation saints as “they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb”. Because of Christ’s blood shed for their redemption, no accusation would stand. No accusation against the suffering saints of the Great Tribulation would stand before the throne of God. In fact, no accusation against any believer in any age would stand. It is not that they possess some personal power of their own, but rather that “God hath set forth (Christ) to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God” (Romans 3:25). As Paul said, “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:6-7; cf. Colossians 1:14). All of the accusations against us fall on deaf ears because we have been saved by the blood of the Lamb, even our Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:12, 14).

What’s more, the believers also overcame Satan “by the word of their testimony”. In a world filled with demonic treachery and opposition, their testimony never wavered. They remained faithful regardless of all the threatening situations brought against them by the fury of Satan. They were unflinching and unwavering in the face of hostility. Their witness was clear and steadfast. Truly, Christians do not surrender; as “overcomers”, they go forth bearing Christ’s testimony, even in times of satanic hostility.

READ:

1 John 5:18b

^18b But he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

EXHORTATION:

It is the second time that the apostle John refers to a Christian as being “born of God” in 1 John 5:18. The Greek word for “begotten” was earlier translated in the verse as “born”. “He that is begotten of God” simply means that he is born of God.

John also categorically states that he who is born of God “keepeth himself”. The desire and effort of a person who is truly born of God will be to keep himself from sin. In this epistle, John repeatedly asserted the duty of God’s children to keep themselves from the defilement of sin. In 1 John 3:3, John said, “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” He also said in 1 John 5:4, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world”. At the end of this epistle, John commanded, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21).

Every child of God will voluntarily and solemnly endeavour to avoid sin. He guards his mind and body through prayer and godly disciplines to overcome the lust of the flesh and the temptations of the world and Satan. Every child of God must emulate the apostle Paul, who said, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27). God’s children must keep their affections and faculties pure, passionately and fervently pursuing an obedient life unto holiness. In Romans 6:18-19, Paul exhorts Christians, “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.”

As John mentioned earlier in 1 John 3:9, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” Because of the gracious divine influence through the Word of God and the Holy Spirit in the hearts of believers, Christians are constantly urged to flee from every temptation of sin. They shall be so kept that the wicked one, Satan, shall not mortally “touch” them. God’s children will be faithful to keep themselves from Satan’s temptation by taking heed of divine counsels of God’s Word.

READ:

1 John 5:18a

^18a We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not.

EXHORTATION:

When the apostle John says “We know”, he is actually alluding to the assurance and confidence that Christians have about spiritual realities. In this epistle, John used the word “know” at least 22 times. From the opening words to the end, there is a ring of absolute assurance in this epistle. It would be very appropriate to call this epistle ‘the Epistle of Certainties’.

Several times in this epistle, John wrote how we could be absolutely sure that we are born of God and are His children. For instance, he said in 1 John 5:1, “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God”. At least 8 times in this epistle, John referred to believers as “born of God”.

In his Gospel, John wrote, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13). Our spiritual assurance that we are God’s children has nothing to do with our physical birth; it is not inherited from parents. Hence, it is written concerning our spiritual new birth that it is “not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man”.

Our spiritual regeneration is the working of God’s grace in us that is marked by genuine faith and obedience unto a righteous life. So John says, “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not”. Everyone who is born of God is called to live a sanctified life.

The Greek verb for “sinneth” is in the present tense, thus indicating that those who are genuinely born of God will not continually or habitually sin. The fact that the children of God will not give themselves to a sinful life is repeatedly asserted by John. The triumphant certainty of the power of God’s children to overcome sin has been repeatedly claimed by John. In 1 John 2:29, he said, “If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him”. Likewise, John says, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God” (1 John 3:9).

A child of God may fall into temptation and sin. However, his normal condition is one of resistance to sin. The triumphant reality is that all those who believe on Christ do have the power to overcome sin!

READ:

1 John 4:16b

^16b God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

EXHORTATION:

Never was more meaning encapsulated in so few words than in this short sentence – “God is love”. It is a statement of eternal magnitude. The apostle John stated this truth twice in his first epistle (cf. 1 John 4:8, 16). In fact, the message of this short verse is splashed all over the Bible.

When John wrote that “God is love”, he was not saying that “love” is the complete revelation of God. In fact, he has earlier also written in the same epistle that “God is light” (1 John 1:5), which refers to God’s holy nature (cf. John 3:18-21; 1 John 1:5-10). So, love is not the only attribute that adequately describes God. God cannot be fully explained by one of His attributes alone. The emphasis of the saying, “God is love”, is that in God alone we can fully view what true love is; it is only by His enablement that we can express true love.

The declaration that “God is love” not only reveals God as a loving God, but also portrays love as natural and essential to His divine glory. All of God’s will and all of His works are draped in His glorious love. In nature and essence, He is “God of love” (2 Corinthians 13:11).

God is perfect and His love is perfect too. God is unfathomable; hence His love is beyond our full grasp. But the knowledge that God is full of perfect and infinite love enables us to draw near to Him with full assurance of faith for pardon and redemption. There is no act of love in this world that can ever be compared to God’s love which receives us as His children, though we were once His enemies. He loved us when we had no love for Him. He lovingly came to us even when we had wandered away from Him. He loved us wretched sinful mortals so that we might live in heaven, live with God, and live in eternal glory and blessedness with Him and through Him. Oh, what love has reached us here on earth!

The apostle John also declared the unmistakable proof of our loving relationship with God – “and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” Everyone who loves all that God loves is certainly the one who dwells in God, and God in him. This is the practical proof of our relationship with God. So let us love Christ and His people, just as God loves them. Let us love the church, the work of the Gospel and His servants, just as He loves them. Let us love even our enemies, for God loved us while we were yet His enemies. Where God abides, love abides.

The church of Jesus Christ is not merely a gathering of individuals, but the family of God, redeemed by the blood of Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. In this holy fellowship, believers are called to walk together in love, to edify one another in the faith, and to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Among the vital expressions of our unity in truth and love of Christ, the compassion and support we extend to afflicted brethren must be manifested. Scripture commands it, Christ exemplifies it, and the Spirit enables it.

The Command of Scripture

The apostle Paul exhorts the Colossian believers, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering” (Colossians 3:12). Compassion is mentioned here as a necessary garment, not as optional, for the Christian life. Likewise, Romans 12:15 instructs us: “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” This means identifying ourselves with our brethren in their sorrows and trials, entering their pain, and reflecting the tender mercies of our Saviour.

James reminds us that words of good will without deeds are empty: “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” (James 2:15–16). True faith produces works of mercy. Thus, the command of Scripture is clear: to show compassion in both word and deed to those afflicted among us.

The Example of Christ

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the perfect pattern of compassion. Again and again, the Gospels describe Him as being “moved with compassion” (Matthew 9:36; cf. 14:14; 20:34). He touched lepers, healed the sick, fed the hungry, and wept with those who mourned. His ministry to the afflicted was not formal or mechanical; it was tender, personal, and full of grace.

Above all, His compassion moved Him to bear the greatest affliction of His people: the guilt of sin. By His suffering and death upon the cross, He secured eternal deliverance for all who trust in Him. If He, the sinless Son of God, stooped so low for our salvation, how can we refuse to stoop in love to aid our suffering brethren?

The Ministry of the Church

The church, as the body of Christ, is called to reflect Christ’s compassion in a corporate and practical way. Acts 2:44 records how the early church shared their possessions, so that “all that believed were together, and had all things common.” The apostolic church understood that spiritual unity must be matched with tangible support of the needy.

For us today, in our homes and church, this means cultivating a culture of genuine care. When a brother is sick, the church prays, visits, and provides. When a sister is overwhelmed by trials, the church comforts, counsels, and encourages her in the Word. When families face financial burdens, the church rallies to supply what is lacking. Such ministry is not social work, but manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit and the outworking of Christ’s love.

However, no one in the church should become poor and needy because of his unbiblical conduct. Brethren must walk honestly, providing for their own (1 Thess. 4:12; 1 Tim. 5:8). The church must remember: “if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thess. 3:10). Poverty that springs from sloth or waste, and suffering reaped through careless conduct, bring reproach upon Christ. Believers are called to diligence, wisdom, and godly stewardship, that their lives may honour the Lord and edify His church. True faith labours diligently, faithfully managing God’s blessings and living with godly contentment, lest one burdens the body of Christ.

The Witness to the World

When the church demonstrates compassion to its afflicted members, and co-labourers, and fellow believers around the world, it adorns the Gospel before a watching world. Jesus declared, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). A congregation that stands shoulder to shoulder in trials with their afflicted brethren testify that the love of Christ is real, comforting and restoring.

Afflictions will not cease until Christ returns. But until then, the Lord calls His people to be channels of His mercy to one another. We must resist selfishness and indifference, remembering that “whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26a).

Let us, therefore, take to heart the words of Hebrews 13:3: “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.” To remember is not merely to think, but to act, to pray, to comfort, and to support.

As we faithfully show compassion and support for our afflicted brethren, we reflect the heart of Christ, fulfil the law of love, strengthen the church’s unity, and bear witness to the power of the Gospel. Truly, to Him alone be the glory as we yield ourselves to be a compassionate congregation.

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Updates from Pastor Reggor Galarpe (GBPC, Cebu)

Greetings in the blessed Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

On behalf of my family, I would like to thank you for all your prayers and support during this very difficult time in our lives.

By the grace of God, I underwent my second cycle of chemotherapy last Tuesday, and I’m coping well with the treatment. Even right after the first session on August 5, I can see a significant improvement, as the size of the mass / swelling on my back has reduced substantially. I can now sleep flat on my back, whereas before I had been sleeping on my left side for the past three months because of the swelling. Also, the pain is now bearable; no need to take painkillers. Praise God!

I would like to thank all of you for your continued outreach to us. Receiving messages through WhatsApp and Messenger has been a great source of comfort and encouragement. For several days prior to my treatment last Tuesday, Carol and I had been receiving such messages. On the day itself, I got a call from Pastor Koshy early in the morning while I was at the treatment centre. Even during the treatment session, messages kept coming (either direct to me or through Carol), and they have brought us much comfort and cheer!

Two cycles down, six more to go! May the Lord be merciful to sustain me as I go through the rest of the treatment. Halfway through the eight-cycle treatment, God willing, I will undergo another PET Scan to assess the progress of my chemotherapy. 

I thank the Lord that I can continue with my teaching and preaching ministries here, particularly on the Lord’s Day (Sunday school and Worship Service), and the prayer meeting, as well as the GBI lectures – except for the week immediately following my treatment, when we will have either Eld. Eli or Pr Edsel to fill in the pulpit ministry.

God willing, my next treatment will be on the 16th of September. I am looking forward to more improvement in my condition and eventual healing, by the grace and mercies of God. So that I can continue to serve Him, together with my family and the brethren here. As we all know, there’s much work to be done in the ministry!

“I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ”, and of your “love unto all the saints” (1 Cor. 1:4; Eph. 1:15b).

 All praise and glory be unto the Lord!

Yours in Christ,
Reggor

Sermon Text: Psalm 119:17–32
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 7th September 2025