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Exodus 3:5—“And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.”

Moses came to Horeb as a shepherd, tending sheep in an ordinary wilderness. There was nothing outwardly remarkable about the soil beneath his feet or the barren landscape around him. Yet, when God revealed Himself in the burning bush, everything changed. The ground was holy because of God’s presence. 

The words, “Draw not nigh hither”, teach a precious lesson about reverence for God: man must approach with holy awe, humility, and submission, never casually. Sinful man does not stroll into divine glory; he is summoned and instructed. 

The command to remove the shoes is an outward sign of inward abasement or humility; such external acts have value only as they express heart-reverence—acknowledging unworthiness and laying aside earthly defilement before the God who is a consuming fire.

And yet, the same God who says “draw not nigh” also draws near in covenant mercy. He reveals Himself not to destroy Moses, but to send him to do His will.

Let us ask ourselves whether we have lost this sense of holy ground. When we gather to worship, do we recognise that we are there not for entertainment, but to meet with the living and holy God—to hear His Word, to bow before His majesty, and to offer Him reverent praise from humbled hearts? Do we recognise that times of prayer are not casual speech? Hearing the preaching of His Word is not like listening to ordinary speech or a lecture. Wherever God speaks through His Word and Spirit, we stand on holy ground.

Yet the One who commands reverence also provides a gracious way of access through Jesus Christ to come to Him boldly (Hebrews 4:16). Therefore, let us approach with humility, repentance, and awe, removing the “shoes” of pride, self-sufficiency and defilement, knowing that our God is holy.

Acts 20:24—“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

Paul, the Lord’s faithful servant, stands before the elders of Ephesus, knowing afflictions and chains await him. Yet he says, “But none of these things move me”. The trials before him did not unsettle him, because Christ had already anchored him. Therefore, he could say, “Behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.”

Then Paul speaks with a holy resolve that confronts the spirit of this age: “Neither count I my life dear unto myself”. He does not mean life is worthless, but that it is not ultimate. Paul had learned that self-preservation is a poor master, and that Christ is a far better Lord. The believer’s life is safest when it is surrendered.

His great aim is stated plainly: “so that I might finish my course with joy”. Paul sees his life as a race appointed by God, measured not by length, but by faithfulness. Many begin with excitement; few finish with joy. But Paul’s joy is not rooted in comfort, applause, or success. It is rooted in obedience and communion with Christ, whatever the cost.

Notice also the source of his calling: “the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus”. Ministry is not a self-chosen ambition; it is stewardship. And the heart of that ministry is this: “to testify the gospel of the grace of God”. Grace made Paul fearless. Grace made him willing to suffer. Grace made him joyful in finishing.

When a Christian treasures Christ above life, nothing can truly move him. And when grace is the message, joy can be the ending.

1 Corinthians 1:18—“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

The Apostle with these words draws a sharp line through the world: there are those who are perishing, and there are those who are being saved. And the dividing point is not education, morality, or religious tradition; it is the cross of Jesus Christ. Paul declares, “The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness”. The natural man looks at Calvary and sees weakness: a crucified Messiah, blood, shame, suffering, and death. To proud hearts, it seems unreasonable that God would save through what appears to be defeat.

Yet Paul immediately adds, “but unto us which are saved it is the power of God”. The cross is not merely a message about love; it is the mighty act of God. There, sin was judged, justice was satisfied, and the wrath of God was turned away by a perfect Substitute. What the world calls foolish, heaven calls wisdom. What men despise, God has chosen to display His glory.

Mark this well: Paul is not defining the gospel for strangers, but for “us”, the redeemed, the church. The gospel is not only something we believe once; it is the power by which we live daily. When guilt accuses, we return to the cross. When temptation presses, we return to the cross. When suffering humbles, we cling to the cross. When death draws near, we look again to the cross.

The cross humbles the sinner, silences boasting, and exalts Christ alone. It tells us that we are more sinful than we feared, yet more loved than we imagined. Therefore, the Christian does not move beyond the cross. We live under its shadow, rejoice in its triumph, and proclaim it as the very power of God unto salvation.

Revelation 1:18—“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

This verse records Jesus Christ's self-revelation, declaring His victory over death to a trembling apostle who had fallen at His feet as dead (v. 17). And what does the glorified Lord say? Not merely “Fear not”, but the reason fear must loosen its grip: “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore.”

Here is the heart of the gospel in one sentence. Jesus is not a memory, not a martyr, not a religious symbol. He is the Living One. Yet He also says, with holy wonder, “and was dead”. The Son of God truly entered death, not as a defeated victim, but as a willing Substitute, to bring about ultimate victory for His people over sin and death. He went into the grave bearing the curse and satisfying divine justice for His people so that He might rise victorious on the third day.

Then comes the triumphant announcement: “I am alive for evermore”. He did not rise to die again; He rose in invincible life, never to be touched by death forever. Death is forever stripped of power over Him. He lives with an indestructible life, and therefore, His salvation cannot fail. The believer’s hope rests not in feelings, but in a living Christ who cannot die.

But Christ adds one more comfort: “and have the keys of hell and of death”. Keys speak of authority. Jesus does not merely survive death; He reigns over it, holding absolute authority over death itself and over the realm of the dead. Because Christ holds authority over death, death is no longer a master to terrify the believer, but a defeated servant under His command. Therefore, we face it not with despair, but with confidence in His saving power and promise. Hell cannot open its mouth without His permission. Death cannot claim one of His sheep apart from His sovereign will. And when death does come, it comes as a servant, not a tyrant, for it opens the door into Christ’s presence.

Therefore, when fears rise and the grave feels near, the Christian may answer with John’s “Amen”. The Lord who died for us lives for us and holds the keys forever.

Revelation 1:6—“And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

In a world where believers often feel weak and overlooked, Revelation 1:6 reminds us who we truly are in Christ. Christ “hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father”. The risen Jesus has not merely forgiven His people; He has reconstituted them. According to the preceding verse (v.5), He “loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood”. Having cleansed us, He has crowned them with a royal dignity and consecrated them for holy service.

To be made “kings” does not mean we reign in worldly pride, but that we now belong to a kingdom that cannot be shaken. In Christ, the believer is no longer at the mercy of Satan’s accusations, the world’s threats, or the flesh’s dominion. We can reign through union with the conquering Lamb every day, learning even now to overcome by faith, endurance, obedience, and hope. As Paul said in Romans 5:17, “For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” 

To be made “priests” points to believers’ calling into God’s holy service. We can draw near to Him and offer acceptable worship through Christ. As 1 Peter 2:5 says,  we are “an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ”. We offer spiritual sacrifices: prayer, praise, repentance, thanksgiving, and lives laid down in love for Christ. Even our suffering becomes incense before the throne.

Therefore, John’s doxology is the only fitting response: “to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.” If Christ has made us kings and priests, then our lives must be bent toward His praise, worshipfully serving under His everlasting rule, seeking not our own honour but His glory alone.

Proverbs 4:18—“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” 

Solomon sets before us a holy contrast: the darkness of the wicked way and the brightening path of the righteous. The Christian life is not described as a sudden leap into noon-day glory, but as a steady dawn. The believer’s path begins with light, the true light, because it begins with Christ, who said, “I am the light of the world” (John 9:5). Yet that light is not static. It “shineth more and more”, as He graciously leads the believer in His truth and righteousness by His Spirit.

This verse teaches a deeply theological truth: justification gives us a new standing, and sanctification gives us a new direction. The “just” are those declared righteous by God through faith in Christ. And because the Lord has made them His own, He does not leave them where He found them—He leads them onward. Though they still walk through a world full of darkness, the Lord Himself gives light for the next step, guiding them forward in their spiritual pilgrimage. They may be chastened, but they are never cast off; corrected but never forsaken. The God who justifies also sanctifies, and He is steadfastly committed to finishing what He has begun.

This is the promise of God, a balm for weary saints. You may feel that your growth is slow, your battles constant, and your heart often clouded. Yet the promise stands: the Lord is bringing you forward. Every true step in repentance, every renewed act of faith, every hard-won obedience is part of the shining.

And the destination is sure: “the perfect day”. This is the day when sin shall be gone, faith shall become sight, and Christ shall be all. The path grows brighter because the end is glory. Keep walking, your dawn is moving toward everlasting noon.

Today, we publish Pr Jonathan Hendricks’ testimony. He has been serving the Lord as a teacher of God’s Word in GBI (Vizag, India) since July 2025. 

My Salvation

I truly thank God for saving my soul from sin and hell. I must confess that my testimony is not as dramatic as that of John Bunyan or Charles Spurgeon. Far from it, mine is simple and quiet. Yet this I can say with deep gratitude: the gracious and providential hand of God was unmistakably at work in bringing me to Himself.

I was born into a devout Christian family and raised in a Bible-believing Baptist church pastored by my uncle. From childhood, my parents taught my brother and me to love God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us. We attended church faithfully, memorised Scripture, and were active in service. Looking back, I see that this did not happen by chance but was due to God’s providence. By His mercy, I was born into a Christian home, set apart according to His gracious purpose (cf. Jeremiah 1:5; Ephesians 1:4).

Yet, though I grew up surrounded by truth, I did not understand what it meant to be born again. In the church I attended, altar calls were common. As a young, naïve child, I often went forward, being emotionally stirred, but nothing truly changed. I returned to my seat still uncertain, still without assurance and still spiritually dead in my sins. Those responses were sentimental and not born out of a great desire to be saved. I lacked the inward work of the Holy Spirit.

In time, my father decided to leave my uncle’s church. I did not understand why then, but later I saw God’s hand in it. We visited many churches, searching for a place to worship and serve. What we did not realise was that God had already ordained where we would go. Proverbs 16:9 is proven true, that man plans, but the Lord directs his steps. By His providence, He led us back to a church my father had attended in his youth. The pastors, who had grown up with him, warmly welcomed us after more than twenty years.

It was there that God graciously saved me. One Sunday evening, the pastor preached from Jeremiah 31:3: “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” That verse pierced my heart. I was overwhelmed by the thought that a holy God could love a sinner like me. I knew my sinfulness, yet I saw that Christ had died as my Substitute (cf. Romans 5:8), bearing the punishment I deserved and rose again. God’s love was not distant; it was drawing me to Him.

That night, convicted by the Spirit, I cried out to the Lord in repentance and faith. In 2012, at fourteen years of age, I trusted Christ as my Lord and Saviour. Though I could not recall the exact date, I remember the reality of it. For the first time, I had assurance. By grace, I was freed from sin’s bondage and made a servant of righteousness (cf. Romans 6:18). I understood then that God is “rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4).

My salvation was not the result of human planning, but that of divine providence. God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9). From physical birth to new birth, He not only guided me, but also drew me to Him and saved me. To Him alone be all glory. Amen.

God’s Call to Preaching Ministry

God’s providential hand was not only evident in my salvation but also in my calling to serve Him. From a young age, I had a desire to serve the Lord, though I did not fully understand what that meant. As I grew older and began planning for university and a career, that desire slowly faded. I became focused on academic success and financial stability, aiming to become an accountant and provide for my family. Though sermons and personal devotions occasionally stirred my heart towards full-time service, I suppressed the conviction. Fear of what others might think and concern for my future led me to resist God’s prompting.

During my second year at university, the Lord began working powerfully in my heart again. I felt a sense of emptiness despite pursuing my ambitions, and I grew increasingly dissatisfied. My conscience was troubled because I knew I was not pursuing what God wanted. At a pastors’ conference, a preacher challenged young people not to suppress God’s call, warning that doing so was disobedience. His words pierced my heart. That night, as I prayed, the Spirit impressed upon me the truth of Luke 9:23, that I must deny myself, take up my cross, and follow Christ. This time, I could not resist. I surrendered fully to the Lord’s will, asking Him to lead me into the full-time ministry if that was His purpose. Immediately, I experienced deep joy and peace. When I shared this with my parents, they responded with wholehearted support, even when I expressed my intention to leave university. Their encouragement confirmed God’s leading.

With guidance from my pastor and a Free Presbyterian minister whom I regard as a spiritual father, I applied to a conservative Bible college in Belfast. However, financial and practical barriers made it impossible. The visa requirements demanded funds I did not have, and the high cost of living with no promise of dormitory housing was beyond reach. I was discouraged and questioned whether I had misunderstood God’s will. Yet I was reminded of Proverbs 3:5, to trust in the Lord and not lean on my own understanding. My pastor urged me not to give up, assuring me that if God had called me, He would provide.

Soon after, my pastor connected me with Sujith Samuel, an Indian graduate of Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC) in Singapore. Through this providential introduction, I learned about FEBC and was encouraged to apply. I submitted my testimony and application, and by God’s grace, I was accepted. Dr. McIlveen generously offered financial support for much of my tuition, and later True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church assisted as well. God’s promise in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”, proved to be true once again.

My years at FEBC were both challenging and enriching. Rigorous studies, especially in Hebrew and Greek, along with the demands of dormitory life, tested my faith and perseverance. There were moments of discouragement when I considered giving up, but the Lord sustained me. Through theological training, He deepened my understanding of Scripture and strengthened my calling.

It was also during my time at FEBC that my theological convictions were reshaped. Coming from a Baptist background, I strongly opposed infant baptism. At first, I resisted covenant theology and even reacted emotionally when witnessing infant baptism. Yet through continued study, lectures, and discussions, I began to understand its biblical foundation within covenant theology. I learned that infant baptism is not about guaranteeing salvation but about God’s covenant promises to families and the responsibility of parents to raise their children in the faith. The Lord humbled me, exposed my pride, and led me to embrace these convictions. Though some opposed my change of view, I submitted to the Spirit’s leading and now identify myself as Bible-Presbyterian without regret.

In His providence, God further led me to serve in Vizag alongside Rev. Sujith. I am grateful for Pastor Koshy’s invitation and for the support of Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church. I recognise my unworthiness and depend wholly on God’s grace to persevere in faithful preaching and teaching. Through every stage—calling, training, conviction, and service—God has proven Himself faithful. All glory be to Him. Amen.

Sermon Text: Psalm 127
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 22nd February 2026

Job 2:10—“What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” 

Here we have one of the most sobering and sanctifying questions ever spoken by a believer. Job has already buried his children, lost his wealth, and watched his life collapse in a single day. Now his body is struck with painful boils, and his wife urges him, “Curse God, and die.” In that moment, Job answers, not with bitterness, but with sound theology in his mind.

His question to his wife does not deny God’s goodness; it defends it. Job reminds us that God is not only the Giver of pleasant days, but also the Sovereign Lord over bitter ones. To receive “good at the hand of God” is natural to us. We gladly take His gifts of health, provision, success, and joy. But Job exposes the pride hidden in the human heart: we often want God’s blessings without God’s right to govern our lives.

When Job speaks of receiving “evil”, he is not calling God sinful. He is confessing that calamity, loss, and affliction may come—bitter to us, yet still under the permission of a holy God who does all things well. Job’s faith rests in the truth that the Lord’s hand is never random, never cruel, and never out of control.

Job’s words teach us to be submissive to God at all times with reverence. God’s children are not promised a life without suffering, but a Father who rules over it. If we receive good with thanksgiving, let us also receive trials with humble trust, knowing that the same God who wounds also heals, and that His purposes will be vindicated in the end.

Job 13:15—“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.”

Job 13 is not the voice of a man at ease, but of a man crushed, yet still believing. He has been misunderstood, falsely charged and spiritually pressed. His friends have turned theology into accusations, and Job’s world has collapsed under the heavy hand of God’s providence. Yet in Job 13:15 he utters one of Scripture’s clearest confessions of persevering faith: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.”

This is not naïve optimism. Job is not saying, “God will never let hard things happen.” He is saying the opposite: “Even if God’s providence leads me through death itself, I will not abandon Him.” Job’s faith is anchored not in outcomes but in God’s worthiness. The believer’s trust does not rest on God’s gifts, but on God Himself.

Yet Job adds a second resolve: “but I will maintain mine own ways before him”. Job is not claiming sinlessness; he is refusing false guilt. He will not confess to something he did not do just to end the pressure from his accusing friends. True faith not only clings to God; it also stands honestly before Him. 

For the suffering saint, this verse teaches that trust and tears can coexist. You may question, plead, and even tremble, but you must not ‘let go’ of God. And you may come boldly, not because you have a perfect life, but with a sincere heart of faith before the Lord who helped you to live with integrity and who alone judges righteously.