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The upcoming BW retreat (14-16 March) is just about 6 weeks away. I would like to encourage you to sign up for the retreat without delay. Come and join the retreat for three days of rest and spiritual nourishment. Please pray for the blessing of this retreat.

The messages will explain the biblical meaning, manner and benefits of “Heavenly-Mindedness”. We who are journeying to heaven must “set (our) affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).

Modern Christianity has become earthly-minded, consciously pursuing worldliness and disregarding the biblical exhortation to live with heavenly-mindedness. Many are seduced to think that “a person may be so heavenly-minded that he becomes no earthly good”! They seem to despise the blessed hope of heaven, as their thinking has become earth-bound.

However, the truth is that heavenly-minded Christians are the most effective servants of God on earth. The more we focus on eternity, the greater the impact we will have on earth for God’s glory, and for the salvation and edification of souls.

Moreover, heavenly-minded people can discern and dispel the corrupting, destructive powers of worldliness. They are motivated and determined, courageous and hopeful, for they work out their calling in this life for the glorious, eternal rewards from their soon coming King.

Brethren, we must not be seduced by the world’s vanity. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit by His Word will stir our hearts and minds to stretch out for the things of heaven. If our minds would remain trapped within the confines of this perishing world, we shall not enjoy the power and hope of heaven. While we realise that those “whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things”, let us also know that “our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:19-20).

Meditate on the following verses that teach heavenly-mindedness

Psalm 73:24-26 – “Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.”

Matthew 6:19-21 – “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (cf. Luke 12:32-34).

Matthew 19:21 – “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”

Ephesians 2:5-6 – “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and he hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:10 – “That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.”

Philippians 1:20-21 – “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

2 Timothy 4:7-8 – “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

Hebrews 10:34-35 – “For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.”

1 Peter 1:3-4 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you”.

As we recall God’s bountiful blessing and goodness upon this ministry to the Lions Home for the Elders (Bedok and Bishan) in the year 2017, we look forward to yet another year of fruitful Gospel ministry in 2018. Indeed, we count it a joyful privilege to serve the Lord among the elderly. Every Lord’s Day, after our church worship and Bible study (now GBI class), we would set out to visit the elderly people in the Lions Home.

The primary purpose of this ministry is to declare the Good News and glorify our Lord Jesus Christ. We pray that the seniors whom we visit will come to the saving knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

This is a very challenging ministry as many of the old folks in these homes are physically impaired, and some also suffer from dementia. Not a few of them have come to think of life as futile and meaningless. To minister in such circumstances, we also need the Lord’s strength and comfort to patiently attend to them with the Gospel. We believe, as it is written in 2 Corinthians 4:7, that “we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

We rejoice in the Lord that several old folks have received the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. We exhort them during our weekly visit to continue to look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of their faith (Hebrews 12:2). All glory be to “God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

God willing, two more elderly folks who have trusted in Christ will be baptised soon. They are Miss Lee Lai Kuan from Bishan Home and Mr Tan Tiang Poh from Bedok Home. Sis Lai Kuan accepted the Lord as her Saviour a few months ago and has been joyfully attending our meetings regularly. Bro Tiang Poh, who believed in the Lord a few years ago, had been isolated from us due to surgery and ill health. He could not attend our meetings for quite some time now that he is completely bedridden. However, the Lord has been gracious and good to him, and he now seeks baptism. We thank God that permission has been granted to us to visit him and also to baptise him. By the grace of God, I have been visiting both to prepare them for baptism through biblical exhortations. Both of them joyfully look forward to their baptism, which certainly bring tremendous joy to the team of brethren who labour every Lord’s Day to bring the Word to the residents of the Lions Home for the Elders.

Let us continue in our service for the Lord, with full assurance of His guidance and enabling. “And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8). We continue to seek the prayers of the church, that through this ministry, our Lord will be greatly praised. Amen.

  A Note of Appreciation

(Hearing that our preacher Eld Eliezer Ortega, who is serving in the mission churches of Bogo and San Antonio, has to urgently pay arrears to the housing authority in order to avoid eviction and also to have the option to purchase it through an instalment payment scheme, our Session decided to request the brethren (during last Tuesday night prayer meeting) to offer their help to Eld Eliezer. The required amount of S$4,500 has been promptly received from the participants of the prayer meeting on the same night – through gifts and promises. The amount was duly transferred the next day (Wednesday, 17 Jan 2018). Helping those who are really needy honours and is most pleasing to God. Proverbs 19:17 says, “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” A note of appreciation received from Eld Eliezer is published below.)

Dear Pastor Koshy,

Praise be unto the Lord for His great mercy and abounding grace! The Lord is ever gracious and merciful.

On behalf of my family, I would like to thank you and the brethren in GBPC, Singapore for your love and care for us. We know that God has sent His blessings to us through the loving care and support of you all. As a result, the Lord has tremendously helped us to stay in our rented house through the help received from the church in Singapore.

I was informed yesterday by Sis Sharon about the transfer of funds. As soon as possible, I will confirm with the bank and then go to the housing authority to settle the amount we had owed them for rental.

Thank you very much, Pastor and all the brethren in GBPC, Singapore, for your prayer and generous support for my family and the work here.

Elder Eliezer Ortega

The psalmist David said, “My soul shall make her boast in the LORD” (Psalm 34:2). Similarly, in another psalm it is said, “In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah” (Psalm 44:8). “Boasting” in the Lord is all about duly and joyfully acknowledging and exalting the Lord above oneself and everything else. It is about rejoicing in the Lord and all that He has done. An elevated feeling of gratitude, praise and rejoicing overwhelms the man who boasts in the Lord, and he spontaneously and sincerely exalts the Lord.

Since the soul that boasts in the Lord is most concerned about the Lord’s praise, it will be least concerned about its own glory. When the glory of the Lord is the soul’s uppermost passion, the soul boasts in nothing but the Lord alone. That soul will be selfdenying and full of thanksgiving before the Lord. As one strives to give all glory to God, not only will arrogance and self-glorying dissipate, God’s praise alone will also fill one’s mouth all the time. The passion of every Christian then is to boast in the Lord!

Scripture instructs us, through many exhortations and examples, how we ought to boast or glory in the Lord.

Boast in the Knowledge of the Lord

The Lord has declared, “let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:24).

Intellectual apprehension of the truth of God and His character is an absolute necessity to engender pure, genuine boasting. The people who have neglected or forsaken the Lord have nothing at all to really boast about. Their boasting is in vain! Their confidence in themselves – be it in their own knowledge or strength or riches – would prove futile. Only the knowledge and experience of God and His goodness provide steadfast rejoicing. There is no greater glory than that we live to know God, who has made us for His glory.

The only appropriate basis for boasting is that a person knows and understands the Lord and His greatness, even His “lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness”. Real, perfect lasting glory belongs to God, and only in Him can there be legitimate boasting. Only in the Lord can His people find unfailing love, judgment and righteousness, which can grant them satisfaction, confidence, hope and joy. Only those who are given to enjoy God’s great glory can really have reason for proper glorying or boasting. As the Westminster Catechism states, “The chief end of man is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.” Until man subjects his passion and power to the glory and joy in the Lord, he has nothing worthy of boasting. True glory of man comes about only when he has known his glorious God.

Much of the religiosity of our time is generated through the use of sensory appeals in church worship services. It is built upon the philosophy of getting people to attain emotional elation. Very little is achieved when it comes to filling the minds of the people with the sacred knowledge of God with clarity and precision. The religious “boasting” of many modern churchgoers is spiritually weak, for it is not built on sound knowledge of God’s truth. They are like ancient Israel, whom the prophet Jeremiah rebuked: “For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge” (Jeremiah 4:22). Likewise, the emotionalism of modern churchgoers, being without deep-seated understanding of and total devotion to God’s glorious truths, is nothing but vain boasting!

What are you boasting about? Let it not be in any transient, perishing things of this temporal life, but in the unchanging glorious truths of our eternal God. Do you understand the truth of your God and proclaim it? Does your life show forth His righteousness and lovingkindness? Do you thus glory in the Lord? Rejoice in the Lord’s greatness and His wonderful works in your life!

Boast in the Cross of Christ

Instructively, the apostle Paul, while denouncing the glorying of the Judaizers who had infiltrated the Galatian church, unequivocally declared, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14). Here, Paul contrasts his own sentiments and behaviour in relation to the cross of Christ with those of the Judaizers. Those false Jewish teachers taught the people to take glory in ceremonial rites, such as circumcision, as something which would secure and confirm their good standing before God. Instead of totally trusting and rejoicing in the atoning work of Christ on the cross, they foolishly boasted in their own self-righteousness, based on their keeping of religious ceremonies.

So, Paul cautioned the Galatian Christians against glorying in circumcision: “As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh” (Galatians 6:12-13). One of the reasons why Judaizers despised the cross of Christ (whereby Christ has achieved our redemption), was that they might escape persecution that was unleashed against Christians. They were lovers of themselves and were cowards, having nothing to show for themselves. While they ostentatiously spoke of their preference for circumcision, Paul gloriously spoke rather of his fascination with the perfect work of salvation accomplished on the cross of Christ. Though Christ’s cross was sneered at by the Gentiles and abhorred by the Jews, Paul boasted of its infinite preciousness. It was the cross which had freed him from the servitude and guilt of sin, on top of the Pharisaic Jewish ceremonialism.

As for Paul, everything else in the world pales in significance in the face of the glory of the cross. The world, he says in Galatians 6:14, is to him a thing “crucified”. It has no more attraction for him. He loathes everything that this world presents to him which distracts him from the cross of Christ. “The world” – i.e. the unregenerate men and their distorted philosophy of life – holds no pleasantness or value to Paul. The world’s allurements, fleshly displays and religions of human effort are tossed aside by Paul. The world has become absolutely distasteful and repulsive to him; he is instead totally absorbed by the fascinating glory of Christ and His redemption, which was effected in the cross. Paul thereby boasts in Christ and His cross.

Do you boast of Christ or of your worldly achievements? Do you boast of His cross or of your self-righteousness? What is your greatest fascination – Christ, the flesh or the world?

Thank God for His mercy, grace and providence which enable me to attend this retreat. Truly, “God’s Word is like a deep, deep mine with jewels rich and rare.” I admit that I did not realise how vital and precious the doctrine of the “Communion of the Saints” was, until Pastor expounded on it from the Word of God. I thank God for Pastor’s labour in teaching us. I am also thankful to the Lord for Aunty Carolyn and the helpers who laboured to teach the children so that I could sit through all the messages. (I think this is the first time I have been able to concentrate fully since I have become a mother!)

It is my prayer that I will have a closer communion with God so that I can be a channel of blessing to fellow saints, as well as increase and abound in ministering to others and in the work of the Lord.

It was indeed a communion of saints that I have experienced in this retreat. I am especially thankful to those who patiently took time to play with and teach Nehemiah during their free time, not to mention letting him join in the group games. It may have been something trivial to most people, but it was a great deal of help to me in giving Nehemiah good fellowship and company, while at the same time nurturing and encouraging him.

All glory and thanks be to God for this fellowship of the saints.

Chris

First of all, I would like to thank God for the love expressed by all the brethren during the retreat. As my left foot was injured during one of the games, some of the brethren really took care of me throughout the retreat, while all the rest showed much concern for me (always checking on how I was doing!). The care that everyone showed me was to me a practical application of the “Communion of the Saints” which we learned during the retreat. Oh, how I pray that this kind of love and care will continue among the brethren even in the future when we return to the church. May we care for and help those who are in need, comforting those who are struggling, both in their physical and especially spiritual life.

Since it is the Lord Jesus Christ who had broken down “the wall” between us and God, as well as between one another, it is vital to remember that our communion is, first and foremost, with the Lord. Without Him, all of the so-called expressions of “love” are nothing but vain babbling.

Now, as some of you may know, I will be away from the church for quite some time, while waiting to see if my permit to stay in Singapore will be granted or not. Irrespective of the outcome, I’m very sure that our communion with one another will continue, as we hold on to our common faith in Christ, serving the Lord in our respective areas. Brethren, let us pray for one another, that our faith will not falter. Till we meet again (here, there, or up in the air), may we all be kept in the love of Christ.

Tan Yeh Wen

I would like to thank the Lord for bringing me to my first retreat since I became a Christian in 2014. Praise God for His grace and mercy upon me that allowed me to come to this retreat, as well as for His providential care which has provided me with the funds to come to this combined YF-YAF retreat.

Thanks be to God for the spiritual feeding received through His servants, Pastor Koshy, Elder Mah and Elder Choy. I am grateful for the spiritual feasting of His Word, and also for the experience of the vital doctrine of the “Communion of the Saints” through the fellowship.

I learnt from Pastor Koshy’s messages that communion of the saints first begins from our communion with God, which He, out of His great love and mercy, extends to us. It then spreads out towards the saints. It is necessary, therefore, that such a communion can only be found as part of the church, where His saints gather, and nowhere else. I had the blessed opportunity to experience this during the 3-4 days of retreat, enjoying the pure joy and peace amidst the unhindered communion of saints, which I cannot find elsewhere in the world. Surely, it was a foretaste of that eternal fellowship that we will have in heaven.

Moreover, Pastor Koshy also taught us that through the communion of saints, God’s love will flow and abound in service to the Lord and His saints. I was joyous to see this truth being manifested as campers wholeheartedly fulfilled their various duties, whether it be kitchen duties, cleaning and washing up the entire compound, or even helping one another in small things.

Last but not least, Pastor Koshy taught us that the communion of saints can be hindered by sin. Through the discussions, I was able to understand that unless I flee from all sin, I would not be able to fully enjoy this blessed communion. How can I have blessed communion with the most holy God and know more about God, if I treasure sin in my heart? And how can I have true communion with the saints, if I am not strengthened by my communion with God? Having tasted this blessed communion, how can I then return to the world? I must indeed flee from all sin, that this blessed communion may not be hindered!

All glory be to God.

Jenice Choy

Iwould like to thank God for a blessed time at the combined GYF-GYAF retreat this year. The Lord has blessed us bountifully and we have experienced much goodness from the Lord. Thank God for His Word that has taught me that communion with the saints stems from our personal communion with God. If our communion with God were to be in a disinterested, dry and cold manner, then likewise would our communion with the saints be so affected. Thank God also for the daily morning devotions through which I have learnt much about the sovereignty of God in our lives. Truly, God’s name alone must be praised!

Shu Mun

Ithank and praise the Lord for enabling me to join this retreat. It is only by His providence and timing that I could come to study God’s Word while clearing my leave.

This retreat has taught me the vital doctrine of the “Communion of the Saints”, which tells us that the love of the brethren is a sure evidence of salvation (1 John 3:14-16). I experienced God’s blessings and spiritual nourishment through the wonderful messages preached by Pastor and also through the fellowship of the brethren. Even the resort that we stayed in afforded us a conducive environment for the purpose of the communion of the saints.

Despite the difficulties faced by our church, God has by His grace continually used His servants (namely our pastor and elders) to care for and minister to us, that the body of Christ may be “fitly joined together” (Ephesians 4:16a), and enabled to “increase and abound in love one toward another” (1 Thessalonians 3:12).

All praise and glory to God!

Dorcas Koshy

Personally, I had been praying that God would grant us youths a rightful understanding and application of true scriptural unity during these difficult times. Truly, what a pleasant surprise to find out that the topic was “Communion of the Saints” – a wonderful and timely answer from God, which was beyond what I expected!

I was rebuked, corrected and encouraged through 1 Thessalonians 3:12 – “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you”; and Colossians 2:19 – “And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Admittedly, I have waned in my concern for fellow brethren, thinking that if they’re backsliding, I’ll just let them be since they are willingly disobeying the Word of God which they have heard and known very well. These passages, however, showed me that, as believers in constant individual communion with God, we can only grow more and more in our love for other members of the body of Christ. I should love them to the point of death, for God says in 1 John 3:16, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

The morning devotion from Psalm 46:10, with a quote of Isaiah 55:8 (“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.”), encouraged me not to worry or be despondent even as I am praying as to what to do after my impending graduation, but rather to be still and wait on Him who is God. May God help me to be loving and forbearing with all lowliness and meekness, as well as to submit to Him who “will be exalted among the heathen, (and) in the earth”.

Cornelius Koshy

I thank God for this youth retreat – a blessed fellowship with the YAFers and youths of our church. I thank God for the many lessons on the theme “Communion of the Saints”, of which I shall mention two that I have learnt.

Firstly, communion with the saints is dependent on my communion with God. He has given the fullness of Himself (and not just a part of Himself), and so I must know Him more. Only with the fullness of God can I enjoy the fullness of communing with the saints. Secondly, I must love the brethren with wholeheartedness, longsuffering and meekness. Personal grievances cannot be allowed to impede fellowship. I love the brethren because God loves me; I must forgive because God has forgiven me; I must serve, yea even unto death, because Christ gave His life for me.

Indeed, I pray the Lord will help me with regard to these two practical applications which I have learnt. Moreover, I also learnt that each Person of the Trinity plays a unique ministry and role in the communion of the saints. This really gives me a fuller appreciation of the distinct ministry of the Triune God, Who “systematically” extends a divine plan such that I can truly bask in the communion of the saints!

Duaine Kabingue

The theme of this year’s retreat, “Communion of the Saints”, was so apt because I have been so blessed by the communion and love of the saints during the retreat.

I was not well on Sunday during the service, so I was a little apprehensive to join the retreat as I might be a burden to others. Nonetheless, God is gracious, and I attended the first two days with a healthy body and a thankful spirit. Among the many points I learnt during the first few messages, was a timely reminder that a Christian’s communion is first and foremost with God, and then with fellow saints.

However, on Tuesday evening, I became nauseous and kept vomiting. During this time, many brethren cared for me, showing the virtues of kindness and love, as mentioned in Ephesians 4:2 which Pastor had preached about in Message 6. Thank the Lord for sustaining me through the rest of the retreat, so that in the midst of my sickness, I was able to recount the words of the hymn ‘Constantly Abiding’ – “Tho the trials of life may surround like a cloud, I’ve a peace that has come there to stay!”

May the Lord bless everyone who has shown care and love for my sake. “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).

As 2018 dawns upon us, I pray that our communion with God and fellow saints will be “sweeter as the years go by”. All praise and glory be to God!

God’s loving compassion has brought us to the end of 2017 – to Gethsemane B-P Church, it means 29 years of God’s faithfulness and blessings! The year 2018 will be the 30th year of our church. Let us praise God for the salvation, and all spiritual and material blessings that He has abundantly showered upon our congregation all these years. The following words of the psalmist ring in my heart as I think of the excellence of His loving kindness to our church:

“How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart” (Psalm 36:7-10).

Reminiscence of God’s Goodness in the “Lead-up” to our 30th Church Anniversary

We thank God that since the inception of our church, the Lord has graciously added a few hundred souls to worship, fellowship and serve with us. In these days, about three hundred people attend our Lord’s Day ministries. His goodness has enabled us to reach out to precious souls through various local Gospel outreach ministries – such as Sunday Evangelism, Prison Ministry, Campus Ministry, Care Ministry (TGCM), the Lions Home for the Elderly (an outreach to old folks in two designated nursing homes) – whereby doors are opened before us every week to reach hundreds with the Gospel. We also have several church-based ministries to edify the members and regular worshippers of all ages. Moreover, every year, thousands around the world are blessed through our Bible Witness magazine, Bible Witness Web Radio, audio and video sermons, as well as Gethsemane Bible Institute on-line courses, on the church website.

Over the past years, the Lord also has enabled us to labour to establish about ten churches, two Bible institutes, plus a Care ministry to reach people lost in drug-addictions. In addition, we also co-labour with like-minded churches and missionaries in foreign lands. Today, our mission activities are found in Ethiopia, Kenya, the Philippines, East Malaysia and India. God willing, soon we hope to establish a publishing ministry in India, which has been an earnest desire of Bro Sujith Samuel, who now labours in the city of Vizag.

More Open Doors

Furthermore, I am very grateful for the special opportunity that the Lord gave to me last week to conduct seven lectures and a “Q & A” session for 69 Filipino pastors who had gathered in Bukidnon, Mindanao, the Philippines. This wonderful opportunity came through Dr Jose Lagapa, who now serves as a preacher in True Life BPC. Since 2011, Dr Lagapa, with the support of True Life BPC, has been conducting this Bible conference every two years for the equipping of pastors from fundamental churches in Mindanao. Dr Jeffrey Khoo had been the main speaker in the past conferences. Our missionaries from Cebu and Bohol have also been attending this conference. (Incidentally, Rev Reggor Galarpe and Eld Richard Tiu have during the past and recent conferences ministered the Word to the pastors in the morning devotions.) In the recent conference, Sis Juvy Anaviso (who is now a student in GBI, Cebu) was also there.

Let us pray for Dr Lagapa who travels to Bukidnon four times a year to conduct special courses for preachers who are in need of further training. Let us also pray that GBI, Cebu will be a place of theological training for many more men in the Philippines whom the Lord will call to labour in her thousands of islands!

Gethsemane Bible Witness Ltd

With the increase in the number of participants in our church fellowships and of our church staff, we have been burdened with the need for a bigger Church Resource Centre. As a church, we have fasted and prayed to the Lord. Our leaders in tandem deliberated and laboured to make progress in acquiring a bigger place. The good providence of the Lord then guided us to register a “company with limited guarantee” (CLG) – namely Gethsemane Bible Witness Ltd – to manage the church’s business and administrative matters, and also to have a larger space for our fellowship gatherings. To date, we also received about S$2.5 million for the purchase of a new place

By God’s providence, the latest development in this matter is that the Lord has brought a buyer to purchase our present CRC for S$1.22 million. The “Option To Purchase” has been signed by our trustees (Eld Alan Choy, Bro Stephen Yap and Bro Neo Kian Seng). We thank God for helping us to secure this deal, which will increase our Building Fund for the purchase of our new premises. As soon as the sale is completed, we hope to start acquiring new premises. Let us continue to pray, and support with our gifts, for this need of our church to be met soon.

Be Faithful and Fervent in the Lord’s Service

More than premises and programmes, our greatest concern ought to be our faithfulness and humility before the Lord. We must resist all temptations of worldliness and falsehood. Purity, devotion and sacrificial service must be our priority. Our preachers and missionaries, together with our elders and deacons, must be men of highest devotion and spiritual integrity!

We all must be vigilant, for the Scriptures warn us that in these last days, many will enter the ministry for self-gain. They are the minions of the devil. They will come to the offices of the church, and view such as a career that will provide a comfortable, easy life. In these days, many churches have been turned into lucrative business enterprises by their pastors. Those who preach for money are exploiters, extortionists and racketeers! The apostle Peter depicted them as those who “… through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not” (2 Peter 2:3). In the words of the apostle Paul, they are “… men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness” (1 Timothy 6:5).

So brethren, awake out of your spiritual slumber! Stop your wanderings and return to your Lord! Follow Him as His loyal disciple. We, as a church, have much work to do for His glory. We have a high calling from God to fulfil. Only if we are spiritually renewed, revived and reinforced, can we fulfil all the works that God has called us to accomplish. Therefore, let us humbly seek Him, “expecting great things from God and attempting great things for God”. I end with the promise of God in Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Truly, I covet your prayers for all our elders, deacons, preachers, missionaries and staff involved in our church’s various ministries. We praise God for all of you who love us in the Lord, and encourage and support us in the ministry.

My wife, Carolyn, and our children, Cornelius, Andronicus and Dorcas, join me to wish you: “A Blessed Christmas & a Happy New Year!” Please continue to pray for us.

Let us be united for the praise of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Affectionately your pastor,
Prabhudas Koshy

Though God’s people have often provoked the LORD, He has not dealt with them according to their sins. Psalm 78:38-39 tell us, “But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.”

If the LORD were to chide us on every occasion when we sin, we would have been totally devastated. How consoling it is that the LORD will not always chide, though we often offend Him and deserve His chiding! The LORD is unlike those who take every occasion to chide, and never know when to stop! What would become of us if God had dealt angrily with us at every occasion of our sin?

Our text also says, “neither will he keep his anger for ever.” In the preceding verse, the psalmist testified that “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy” (v. 8). Because He is merciful and gracious, He is also “slow to anger.” His patience toward us is very great. The LORD knows how feeble we are, and shows His pity on us by withholding His anger from us. In Isaiah 57:16, the Lord proclaimed, “For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.” The LORD does not chide us for every fault; neither does He chide us for a long time nor hold any grudge against us. If He had always chided, our spirits would have failed altogether. That would have crushed our spirits!

Such longsuffering and compassion should not be taken for granted. We must quickly put off our sins and turn to Him in repentance and gratefulness. Nothing is more foolish than trying to exploit God’s grace and patience by continuing in sin.

Also, having received plenteous mercy and patience from God, every child of God must now show the same kind of longsuffering to others. Too much chiding might lead others to be disoriented and disillusioned. Some parents, by their constant rebuke and bitter dealing with children, drive them away. So let us be slow to anger toward those who have erred. Let us pay heed to Galatians 6:1a, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness.”

Gethsemane Children’s Ministry (GCM) praises the Lord for seeing us through this year’s Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS). This year’s theme – “Sing unto the LORD” – was drawn from Isaiah 42:10, “Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.” The children were taught six lessons altogether from selected Bible passages based on the theme.

The LORD has been good to GCM. It was a challenge to find a venue to host this year’s DVBS, but God had prepared 202B, Ponggol 17th Avenue for our usage. He gave us 49 children (from ages 2 to 12) to learn about “Sing(ing) unto the LORD.” He also provided 7 teachers for the 3 classes: Nursery to Kindergarten (N-K), Primary 1 to 3 (P1-3), and Primary 4 to 6 (P4-6). In addition, He moved the hearts of 14 volunteers to help out in the various aspects of the event.

202B Ponggol 17th Avenue is a familiar place for many of the children; it is the home of The Gethsemane Care Ministry (TGCM). As such, there were some enthusiastic ones who came very early daily over the 3-day event. There were also those who loved the venue so much that they didn’t want to go home, and had to be “dragged” home!

The children were divided into three classes for Bible lessons. The N-K class used the hall on the ground floor, whereas the P1-3 class had their lessons held at the porch just outside the house. The P4-6 class had the privilege to use the “hallowed” hall of Gethsemane Bible Institute (GBI) for their lessons. Overall, everyone enjoyed the conduciveness of the premises.

One of the lessons’ objectives was to encourage our Christian children to glorify the LORD God with their own songs. They are to sing like Moses or the psalmist regarding how the LORD had helped them in times of afflictions and difficulties. Another aim of the lessons was to declare the glory and praise of God to the unbelieving children, that they might come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The children also had 3 hours worth of craft lessons, where they were divided into two groups. All of them made a box and a frame, plus a file and a notebook for the older kids, as well as a letterholder and a tambourine in the case of the younger ones. All these items were made from recycled materials, such as Bible Witness calendars, which have Scripture verses on them!

An interesting feature of this year’s DVBS was the Bible activity time, where the children were given opportunity to share their reasons for singing unto the LORD. Below is a selection of what some of the children said:

• “I will sing of the great mercies of the LORD … Mercy is to withhold due punishment. When we sin, we deserve to be punished. But God is merciful! He withheld our punishment, and saved us from our sins by sending His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die on the cross of Calvary on our behalf. Thus, we sing to remember God’s mercy unto us!”
• “We sing because of the kindness of God … He gave His Son to die for us so that we can have salvation. We sing when we recall what God has done.”
• “We sing for a testimony unto the unbelievers … When we sing Christian songs and sing unto God, unbelievers also listen. Then we can tell them who our God is and share with them the Gospel.”
• “We sing to declare His glory and wonders … The Bible tells us many things that God has done. He created the heavens and the earth, He gave us salvation, He did many miracles. We can sing songs that tell of these wonders God did!”

Needless to say, the children looked forward to the games time daily. The children were divided into two teams to compete with one another. There were different games planned by respective volunteers over the 3 days, which were executed with the help of many others, including adults. Though the adults were there to help oversee and organise the games, they sometimes couldn’t resist joining in! Certainly, each afternoon was a fun-filled time for all the participants, even the spectators.

Finally, there were those who laboured at the back of the house to feed the children and volunteers; also not forgetting those who helped to ferry the children to and fro the DVBS premises. They are the unseen workers of the LORD! Last but not least, we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped in one way or another – whether it be in the designing of the registration form, the planning of various activities, or the execution of them all, etc. Truly, may the LORD help us remember to sing His glory and praise all the days of our lives while we have our being (cf. Psalm 104:33)!

By the grace of God, our first opportunity of a sustained Gospel effort in India is granted to us through Bro Sujith Samuel, who has returned to India after completing his theological studies in FEBC. In our last Missionary Conference (June 2017), our Board of Elders commissioned Sujith as Gethsemane’s missionary (under probation), and since then he has been prayerfully working in the city of Visakhapatnam – or Vizag, for short – (a central eastern port city of India) to establish contacts and begin a Gospel work.

Recently, I was joined by Benny Skarih, Cornelius Koshy and Andronicus Koshy to visit Bro Sujith. We praise the Lord for the three days of fellowship and activities we had with Sujith and many of his contacts. This mission trip was very timely and a necessary one to understand the nature, challenges and needs of the Gospel work in that place and also to provide biblical advice to Bro Sujith. Upon our return, I received a short note from Sujith by WhatsApp - “Thanks for coming to Vizag irrespective of your busy schedule. It was a blessed time.”

Below, an extract from Cornelius Koshy’s report of the mission trip is published for your information and further prayer and support for our work in India. I want to thank all of you who have prayed for this mission trip, especially the brethren in Gethsemane Malayalam Fellowship who had laboured much in prayer and co-ordination with Sujith to organise this trip. May God prosper the Gospel work done by Bro Sujith and all faithful men in India for the extension of His kingdom.

Report on Our First Mission Trip to Vizag

Cornelius Koshy

Ibegin my report with Acts 1:8, where our Lord commissioned His disciples, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Such was God’s call of our brother Sujith, and we thank God for the first efforts to enter into the city of Visakhapatnam (in short, Vizag), in the state of Andhra Pradesh, in the Indian subcontinent. Andhra Pradesh is one of the five southern states of India – Tamil Nadu, Kerala (from which the Malayalees in our congregation originate), Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Sujith, being a Malayalee, does not speak Telugu, the language of the locals in Vizag. However, many in the city of Vizag speak English and Hindi, the national language of India, and Sujith is able to fluently communicate in both languages.

Day 1, Friday 24th Nov 2017
Pastor Koshy, Andronicus and I arrived in Vizag on the morning of 25 Nov 2017, and were warmly welcomed by Sujith and Praveen. Praveen attends a Baptist church whose pastor, Stevenson, founded a mission work called the Vision Hill Tribes. Sujith has preached on occasion in Praveen’s church because of the pastor’s recent ill health. Praveen, having a keen interest in studying God’s word, stays with Sujith in his apartment whenever he comes to study God’s Word under him.

After a quick hotel check-in, we met two Christians, Ravi and Deepanker, for lunch at a Chinese cafe owned by Christians, thus facilitating conversation over a meal. Ravi is the director of Baylogic Technologies, an IT company which runs software solutions for companies, including the well-loved sermonaudio.com. In fact, Ravi was educated in IT and theology for 3 years in USA before returning to Vizag, during which he became friends with Steven Lee, who then became the founder of sermon audio.com. Ravi is married to Neeta and they have 2 daughters, Sweeshi and Reeshi. Deepanker, a migrant from the neighbouring state of Chattisgarh, was originally working with HSBC in Vizag, but when he believed in Christ and renounced his Hindu religion, he transferred to join Ravi in Baylogic Technologies. Deepanker is married and has 2 sons, Daksh and Akshmit.

During lunch, issues surrounding Sujith’s long-term stay and the viability of setting up a church in Vizag were discussed. At present, much hostility exists towards Christian mission work; it has become very difficult to register new Gospel missions. From these brethren, Pastor was able to receive good and necessary information, which he will pass on to our elders for further prayerful support for our new Gospel work through Sujith.

That evening, Praveen drove all of us in a rented car to the outskirts of Vizag, to a village in Ayyannapalem, to visit a small village church led by a preacher, Dev Kumar. This congregation, as well as many other small clusters of Christian communities dispersed in Andhra Pradesh, are part of the Vision Hill Tribes. However, Dev Kumar’s church is now independent and selfsupporting. Nonetheless, they lack solid teaching of God’s Word, and the preachers and congregants are hungry for solid spiritual food. Sujith travels this long journey weekly by bus to nearby Pinagadi, and transfers in a shared auto-rickshaw into the village to conduct lessons on Theism. If Praveen comes along, he would go on Praveen’s bike.

In this trip, Pastor, continuing with the series on Theism, preached on the “Knowability of God”, translated by a brother called Leo, whose father is also a pastor. The key lesson from Pastor’s Bible Study is that man on his own cannot know God, and that all of mankind’s efforts to reach God have been futile; only through Jesus Christ can one fully know God. The Bible Study was attended by 4 local female students, Dev Kumar’s father (who himself was an itinerant and persecuted missionary) and mother, and Praveen. The team was later treated to some sumptuous homemade local Briyani, which was prepared by the sisters among them.

Day 2, Saturday 25th Nov 2017
The team set off early in the morning (5 am) in a “sleeper” train on a 185-km trip to a border town called Paralakhemundi in a neighbouring state, Odisha. The local spoken tongue there is Odiya, though many of them can speak Telugu because of their geographical proximity to Andhra Pradesh. The story of Sujith’s entrance into Odisha is worth mentioning, for it reflects the Holy Spirit’s working through Sujith’s ministry. Sujith was on a train once, where he met a Bible college lecturer, who then gave him the number of a man named “Henjit”, who was keen in studying the Bible indepth. Sujith then called Henjit, which then led to Henjit’s weekly travel down into Vizag to stay in Sujith’s apartment with Praveen for 2-3 days – to study God’s Word under Sujith. On weeks when Henjit was financially tight, he would miss that week’s journey and save up for the following week’s train expense. On occasions, Sujith would also travel up to meet Henjit, as well as other small churches in Odisha, which are Baptist in doctrinal persuasion.

Upon arrival in the railway station of Naupada (which is still in Andhra Pradesh), the team travelled another hour by car across the border into Odisha. We were effusively welcomed by Henjit’s family (with 3 children: Shine, Rejoice, Little). Henjit’s brother, Joyson, and his newlywed wife, were in the house too, and welcomed us with highest honour. Joyson expressed his keen interest in serving God full-time, and in joining Henjit in the weekly Bible studies with Sujith. In this short visit, Pastor introduced the idea of getting computers for them to engage in online and web learning of God’s Word via the GBI-online lectures and materials, which will be accomplished through God’s timely provision. Apart from weekly preaching in his house church, which is attended by 3 families, Henjit used to frequent the prison to preach to the inmates. At present, Henjit is waiting for the official issuance of a prison pass before continuing this prison ministry.

We then moved off to a small meeting room in Hotel Unique for the main purpose of the trip to Odisha: a pastors’ conference. 14 Pastors from nearby villages gathered for a two-part series on 1 Thessalonians 1, whereby Pastor taught them how to lead a biblical church. The teachings were translated by a very able translator: Nayan Kipchang Limau. The main thrust of the conference can be summarised thus: “A biblical church must have a work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope. They must be sure of their election of God, equipped with [our] Gospel which must be exemplified in their lives, and empowered by the Holy Ghost.” These preachers showed much gratitude and appreciation for the fruitful study. May God continue to use Sujith to equip these hungry preachers with God’s Word and teach them biblical doctrines, even to correct the misguided doctrines held by some.

We were joined by Benny Skariah midway through the conference, who flew into Vizag on Saturday morning, and was driven by Praveen all the way up into Odisha. We thank God for the labour of love shown by Praveen, who later drove the entire mission team back into Vizag, clocking a grand total of 370 km and 8.5 hours of car journey in a day – a tiring but nonetheless fulfilling day of ministry!

Day 3 (final day), Sunday 26th Nov 2017
On the Lord’s Day, the mission team joined Sujith to attend a house church begun by Ravi which meets at the home of a congregant, Anand Kumar. Of great encouragement and help to the congregation here is a European family in Vizag, who join them in the worship and service of the Lord. The order of worship is similar to that of our Bible-Presbyterian Church. Pastor Koshy preached on “The Supremacy of Christ” from Colossians 1, which exalts Christ as the express image and revelation of the invisible God. This message was relevant as some among the congregants seem to hold on to old traditions and myths of the Hindu faith, which liken Jesus to one of the many “avatars” (or manifestations) of God. Pastor therefore preached passionately against this prevalent notion. Cornelius led the children in Sunday School and taught on the Christian response to divine wisdom. Solomon likens wisdom to the gold earrings and ornaments which women adorn themselves with – a familiar sight in Indian culture indeed, thus using Proverbs 25:12 to teach the attitude of Christians towards godly wisdom. The service concluded with a fellowship lunch prepared by the congregants.

After a fruitful 2 hours of lunch fellowship with the congregants, the mission team proceeded to Sujith’s rented apartment – a sizable 3-room apartment with a living room which can comfortably sit 20 persons. However, Sujith expressed concern over accommodating a house church in his apartment because he had received complaints from his Hindu neighbours against any Christian activities in his flat.

With a burden to find an ideal location for Sujith to begin a church, the mission team went to view a small 3-storey shop, owned by Ravi, which potentially could be the space for Sujith to begin his church ministry. It is located along a main road, in the city centre. It can accommodate Bro Sujith and other students who come over to study, and a congregation of 30 people. This matter is yet to be considered by our elders.

The mission team then rushed to the airport to catch their flights – the Koshys to Singapore, and Bro Benny to Kerala – and thereby concluding the short but nonetheless very fulfilling mission trip.

The path ahead of Sujith is still rid with many obstacles. What lies ahead is uncertain, but just as God has guided and equipped Sujith in his pioneering 6 months of mission work, we trust that God will fulfil the good work He has begun in Vizag – even unto the other northern states of the Hindi Belt (as Sujith dearly wishes), and all the way to the Himalayas (as Pastor delightfully remarked)! To God be the glory!

Our Lord Jesus said, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour” (John 12:26).

Who does truly serve Christ?

According to Christ’s own words, it is he who follows Him that truly serves Him. In the context of this passage, following Christ would mean self-sacrifice and even death. He had earlier spoken about His hour of death (v. 23; cf. v. 27) and the need to die like a corn of wheat to bear fruit that will last unto all eternity (vv. 24- 25). Without an absolute commitment (which may even incur death) to go with Christ, one cannot truly serve Him. One should surrender oneself totally to Christ’s leading to be a true servant worthy of His name.

A true servant of Christ will fix his eyes upon his Master, avoiding all else that would distract or lure him away from Him. The servant of the Lord is most willing to serve Him with his whole heart. He will not quit attending to his Master for any consideration of wealth, rank, relationship or fame. He will also be willing to serve Him at His command in any place, in any condition and in any circumstance. He does not choose his area of service according to his own wishes and whims, but according to his Master’s will.

He has no terms or conditions in his service to the Master. He is ready to do the Lord’s work even if it would mean sacrifice and suffering. He is singleminded to know his Master’s will and to fulfil it with all his strength. He is committed to follow every word of his Master and render a faithful service. The pleasure and honour of his Master is his singular passion.

He is thankful that he is allowed to be so close to the Master to serve Him. So he lovingly, diligently, enthusiastically, joyfully presents himself as a servant to his Master. He revels in his privileged opportunity to stay by his Master. With pure delight, he listens to the Lord’s voice – His commands, His counsels, His promises. The Master is everything to him.

The servant of the Lord is very grateful that he is permitted to follow Him everywhere. His joy and honour are greater than those of the great king Solomon’s servants, whose “sitting”, “attendance” (i.e. manner of service), and “apparel” literally overwhelmed the queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:5). Indeed, to every sincere servant of Christ, His presence and guidance are infinitely more eminent and honourable than Solomon’s glorious palace. So Christians, let us serve our Lord wherever He would lead us, be it in the church, in the home, in the school, or at work.

What does Christ promise His servant?

Jesus promises His servants, “if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”

Ah, what great honour is promised to all who serve Christ according to His good and perfect will as revealed in His Word! How wonderful to hear it from the lips of our blessed Lord and Saviour! He will certainly do what He has said. Oh, how tenderly and graciously the Lord deals with His servants! How amazing it is that in the midst of His great agony, He thought about cheering His troubled servants by telling them of the honour that His Father will bestow upon them!

The prospect of being a servant of Christ is the highest and an unsurpassable honour that a man can ever receive. Obedience to Christ is a glorious privilege, for it empowers a man to overcome his wicked lusts and thoughts, and live a godly and blessed life. Being an obedient servant of Christ is to inherit a pure and clean life devoid of the corruptions of sin. To be a submissive, dutiful follower of Christ is to be conformable to Christ. A true servant of Christ is Christ-like. Oh, what an honourable and high calling Christ gives to everyone who follows Him as His servant!

Serving Christ in this hostile world would bring many trials and much suffering to His followers. Jesus Himself has said, “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord” (Matthew 10:22-24).

The humiliations and the hurts one suffers for being a servant of Christ serve only to prove his calling and the certainty of the eternal glory and honour the Father will bestow on him. True servants seek not the honour that cometh from man, but from Christ and His Father. So Jesus said, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12). Paul told the suffering Christians, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us” (2 Timothy 2:12). Servants of Christ may suffer on earth, but they shall have great honour in heaven!