Sermon Text: Psalm 107:33–43
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 11th May 2025
Sermon Text: Psalm 107:33–43
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 11th May 2025
10a But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus.
It is with great fondness we remember that our God is “God of all grace”. This designation of God denotes more than just God being gracious by His nature. It also depicts Him as the reservoir, source, and supply of grace in all its manifestations. In Him is the fullness of grace. To all who come to His throne of grace by faith in Christ Jesus – who is His gracious provision for their salvation – He will make available the exceeding riches of His grace.
It is by His grace that we are saved (Ephesians 2:5). We are justified freely by His grace (Romans 3:4; Titus 3:7). He grants us forgiveness of our sins according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7). The apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” So like Paul, each of us can say, “by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Our gracious God will continue to impart all needful grace to us, day by day.
Because of the abundance of His grace, our text says that God “hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus”. The word “called” indicates that God has invited us to what He has prepared for us. It is God’s effective work in our heart to convict us to go to Him by Jesus Christ for salvation and all His blessings. The Westminster Shorter Catechism explains the calling of God thus: “Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the gospel.”
Peter here says that by Jesus Christ, God has called us to “his eternal glory”. Peter has used the word “glory” in this epistle several times to refer to our future realities in heaven. Peter refers to this glory as the “glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1:7). Later in chapter 4, verse 13, he says that “when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” This wonderful truth – that God of all grace has called us by Christ Jesus to eternal glory – assures us that our salvation is secured and sure forever! All those who are called unto salvation shall be glorified.
27 Neither give place to the devil.
The devil always attempts to influence and control Christians. He wants us to rebel against our Saviour and His people. So he strives to overpower and use us for his evil purposes. He is a wily character. If he could, he would use us to bring dishonour and shame to the Lord’s name and to disrupt the peace and effectiveness of the church.
He always looks for opportunities that he can take advantage of. He first studies our infirmities, temperaments, desires, ambitions, propensities, etc.; he then plans his move to assault us. He is a determined enemy. He is resolved to ruin our testimony and stop us from serving our Lord. If the devil gains the upper hand, he will ruin our spiritual pursuits, relationships and testimony. Let us not doubt his resoluteness to destroy us.
The devil has been a deceiver, and is still the same today. If anything, he is more dreaded than before. He will try to dupe us to gain access to ensnare us. He knows how to make the best of his opportunities. Though the devil is not omnipresent, he carries out his evil works through his many agents and tricks. If he gets one foothold, he would try to push his way in. If we allow one sin, no matter how small we may think it is, it will keep up the devil’s interest. One sin makes room for more temptations of sin from the devil. Richard Baxter, a Puritan preacher, said, “One sin inclineth the mind to more. If one thief be in the house, he will let in the rest, because they have the same disposition and design.”
We can be sure that the devil never means good, but always evil. The more we yield to Satan’s temptations, the stronger will be his influence, and the greater will be his control of our hearts. Therefore, we should always be vigilant to deny him any opportunity. We must strain every nerve to resist him. The apostle James exhorted us, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). If we are always careful to submit to God, the devil will find no room in our lives to exploit us.
Let us not feel obliged to yield to his ploys. Let us remember that he will use all his agents and devices against us. Be resolved to fight a good fight of faith against the devil and all his agents. We must know that we can conquer, if we will, through Christ. Let us vigilantly and prayerfully live our lives to deny the devil – our chief adversary – any advantage over us.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
Sobriety and vigilance are crucial to living a victorious Christian life. The Greek word for “sober” (nēphō) means being temperate or abstinent, especially in respect to wine. It is an antonym for the state of mind caused by drunkenness and is used more broadly to refer to spiritual and moral sobriety, a clear-thinking and self-controlled mental state that is free from confusion and unbridled passions. The Greek word for “vigilance” (grēgoreō) refers to alertness and watchfulness. When used together, these words exhort Christians to live with self-control and constant awareness against snares and temptations of sin.
At no time should we be heedless or unguarded. Our minds must always stand on guard against the most minute and unobservable encroachment of sin. Even that which appears to be harmless can lead us to great spiritual and moral perils. Not surprisingly, it has been said that “the enemy that is least feared is usually the soonest felt.”
How often we have heard Christian men regretfully say, “Oh, I fell in an unguarded moment; the temptation came so suddenly!” But why were they off their guard? Is it not because they had lived carelessly and wantonly? We must not indiscriminately accept every invitation given to us. We must carefully analyse every overture made to us, whether it would undermine our commitment to our Saviour and Lord.
Our vigilance must be comprehensive. Let none be too cocksure that he will not be overtaken by certain kinds of temptation. While we resist one form of evil, let us not forget that there are other subtle temptations in the world. While we watch against external forces that are bent on destroying our walk with God, let us also be on guard against internal passions that are equally perilous. If we are not vigilant, though we may watch against fleshly lusts, we may still give room (knowingly or unwittingly) in our hearts for pride, self-righteousness, and the like.
All such allurements of sin originate in our chief adversary, Satan. He is like a mighty, ferocious lion at our door, waiting to pounce on us and devour us. Let us not carelessly open the door of our heart. Satan, like a lion, would pounce on his prey, unseen and unsuspected. He is not only powerful and ferocious, he is also very crafty. So, be on your guard!
16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
Certain kinds of rejoicing are sinful. James here particularly warns us against rejoicing in our boastings. Being happy and confident about tomorrow is a common desire of man. Whenever man feels good about his future, he tends to rejoice and even boast about it. Man rejoices to brag about his success. Such rejoicing, says the apostle James, is evil. It is foolish and hurtful.
The root problem of such rejoicing is pride. Boasting about one’s own plan, ability and confidence is not only a vain thing, but also an abominable and blasphemous act that steals the glory of God who graciously provides man with health, opportunity and success. Only God knows everything about tomorrow, and is therefore in control of tomorrow. When a man is inflated with self-confidence, he openly sets himself as superior to God. Such rejoicing that disregards God and His will is foul and disgraceful behaviour.
If one rejoices in his own vain confidence, he will become presumptuous about tomorrow. James has already warned against such arrogant boasting. He said, “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that” (James 4:13-15).
Rejoicing in one’s self will also deprive one of faith in and submission to the Lord. So, everyone is exhorted: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Selfbelief leads a man to walk irreverently and contemptuously. Such a person will disregard the Lord’s purposes and precepts, and will act in self-conceit.
Truly, Scripture continually warns us against delighting in our own abilities. Consider these divine warnings against vain confidence in oneself. Jeremiah 9:23 declares, “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches”. In Proverbs 3:7, we are cautioned: “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” So, let us take heed and refrain from all forms of self-glorying.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
The call to humble ourselves follows James’ admonition in the previous verse to mourn and weep before the Lord for our sins. “Be afflicted,” James 4:9 says, “and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.” When we stand in the presence of the Lord, let us humbly acknowledge our unworthiness to come before Him because of our many sins. Let us humbly admit that we have no merit of our own to be granted access to His holy presence. Our sins are odious in His sight. We have defied His righteousness and aggravated His just wrath by committing them against Him. We need to admit, like David, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight” (Psalm 51:4). When a person is truly awakened to a sense of his guilt and danger, he needs to beg for God’s mercy and forgiveness to turn away His wrath and deliver him from the guilt of his sin. He must pray like the prodigal son who, in returning to the father, said, “I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee” (Luke 15:18). Therefore, let us plead for the Lord’s pardon, because our sins are against Him who alone can pardon us. Let us humble ourselves before Him, confess our sins and seek His forgiveness.
To humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord means to recognise our spiritual poverty, as well as to acknowledge our desperate need of God’s help and to submit to do all His commands. This humility is beautifully exemplified in the tax collector of Jesus’ parable, who acknowledged that he was a sinner and unreservedly called out to God for mercy. Jesus said in response, “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:14).
Humility is the only appropriate and acceptable attitude we can have before the Lord. This truth is taught throughout Scripture. James mentioned earlier in verse 6 – “Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” God will utterly reject the proud, but will lift up the lowly. When we exalt ourselves by relying on and relishing in our own abilities, status, or wealth, God will condemn us. But He will bestow His grace, forgiveness, redemption and glory upon all those who come with humility. He will lift up their sad and troubled souls and grant them joy, peace and His glorious presence.
8b Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Have you noticed that here James calls his readers “sinners” and “double minded”? Who are they?
Among those who are gathered in the churches of Jesus Christ, there are those who continue to entangle themselves with sin. Sinners are those who transgress the righteous laws of God, and conduct themselves in a manner that is displeasing to God. The word “double minded” refers to those who are fickle-minded and unstable in their faith and devotion to God. The double-minded are those who vacillate between God and the world. Here James calls them all to repentance.
He tells them to “cleanse your hands” and “purify your hearts”. Both “cleanse ”and “purify” are verbs that refer to ceremonial cleansing, a figure that spoke eloquently to Jewish as well as Gentile converts. Those words remind them of the need to put away their sins before they approach God, who is pure and holy. The words “hands” and “hearts” point them to their actions and affections. It is an indispensable requisite that we cease from our sinful actions and passions when we draw nigh unto God.
So David said, “I will wash mine hands in innocency; so will I compass thine altar, O LORD” (Psalm 26:6). The apostle Paul directs us in 1 Timothy 2:8, “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” We must cease from everything unjust or cruel, and be free from the defilement of sin. He who serves the Lord cannot be a servant of sin. The worshippers of God must be purehearted, i.e. sincere and single-minded to please God. They must cease from everything worldly, carnal and displeasing to God.
It is hypocrisy to come to God with hands and hearts that are impure. Jesus cited Isaiah in Matthew 15:8-9, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me”. In Matthew 23, Jesus repeatedly condemned the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders. He did not mince His words: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” He then rebuked them sharply, “Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also” (Matthew 23:26). Let us serve Him in sincerity and holiness.
8a Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
The duty required of us here primarily entails our returning to God from our wandering away from Him. In Zechariah 1:3, the Lord declared unto Israel, “Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.” Again, the Lord said in Malachi 3:7, “Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.”
He calls us to draw near to Him. Though He knows that we have turned away from Him, how lovingly and tenderly He calls us to stay near Him! Oh, the graciousness of this invitation! He is calling us to return to Him from our backsliding, cold indifference and meaningless formalism. He counsels us to live in His presence with ardent prayers and cheerful devotedness to Him, for “glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place” (1 Chronicles 16:27).
We must draw nigh to God with a firm resolution to seek Him. We must draw nigh unto Him with sincerity of heart to serve Him. We must desire close communion with our God that we may grow in our faith and knowledge of His goodness and His perfect will. We must stand by Him in obedience to do all His good pleasure.
If there is no close communion between God and you, it is your fault and not His. He is calling you to draw nigh unto Him. “Come,” He says. So, as Hebrews 10:22 says, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
God gives you great encouragement to draw near unto Him, by assuring you that “he will draw nigh to you”. You are not asked to draw near to a God who is disinterested in you. He is most willing to have you and hold you close to Him. He will make you know His presence, His grace and His greatness. Turn to Him; He will meet you there. Call on Him in repentance and faith; He will answer you. He promises you that He will draw nigh unto you. If you seek Him, He will be found of you. As Hosea 6:1-2 says, “Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.” So, arise and return to the loving presence of your God. Say now, like the prodigal son, “I will arise and go to my father” (Luke 15:18).
(Excerpts from Pastor’s sermon during the Graduation Service of GBI, Vizag, on 26th April 2025, based on 2 Timothy 2:19–26)
The Holy Spirit often used vivid images in Scripture to reveal spiritual truths. In 2 Timothy 2:19-21, Paul describes the church as a “great house” filled with vessels of gold, silver, wood, and clay. These vessels represent believers – some useful and honourable, others not. Through this imagery, Paul calls us to purify ourselves, that we might become vessels fit for the Master’s service.
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (v. 19).
In the previous verses (vv. 16–18), Paul warned Timothy about false teachers whose heresies were capable of overthrowing the faith of some within the church. Yet, despite the spread of error and ungodliness, Paul declares with confidence, “Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure...” Amidst the chaos, the true church rests on an unchanging foundation laid by God Himself.
In his first letter to Timothy, Paul had already affirmed that “the house of God, which is the church of the living God”, is “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). The church stands immovably upon the truths God has revealed in His Word. No matter how fiercely falsehood rages, God secures His people upon the solid ground of His truth. It is no surprise, then, that the church is pictured here as “a great house” (v. 20a).
Paul further emphasises this security by noting that the foundation of God has a seal — a mark of ownership and divine purpose: “The Lord knoweth them that are his.” Like a stone engraving on a grand building, God’s mark assures us that He knows and loves each true believer, and none will ever be lost. As Jesus prayed to the Father: “Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none” (John 18:9; cf. 17:12).
The seal also declares God’s purpose for His people: “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” God’s ownership is never passive; it leads to active sanctification. True believers will not abandon God to embrace sin—rather, they will continually depart from sin, as visible proof that they belong to Him.
“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour” (v. 20).
Paul continues his household imagery of the church, describing it as a “great house” filled with different kinds of vessels. Some are crafted from precious metals like gold and silver; others are made from common materials like wood and clay. In any grand home, vessels of honour are displayed proudly, while vessels of dishonour — used for refuse or waste — are hidden away.
In the same way, within God’s great house, the church, there are faithful servants who bring honour to His name, and others who bring shame through unfaithfulness, laziness, cowardice, or discontent. We are called not merely to be part of the house, but to be vessels of honour — clean, useful, and ready for the Master’s service.
No institution on earth is greater in God’s sight than His church. Serving Him within it is both a high privilege and a sacred duty. To be a vessel of honour in the great house of God is not something to be taken lightly. It is a calling that demands our best, and rewards us with eternal significance.
Paul exhorts, “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (v. 21). Every believer, especially those called to leadership (like Timothy), must cleanse himself from false doctrines and ungodly practices warned of earlier (vv. 16–18). Only by separating from sin and error can one become a vessel of honour, set apart and ready for the Master’s use.
The Lord uses only clean vessels. Talent, intelligence, or capability alone do not make one useful to God. The Lord requires purity of life. If we flee from sin and live for Him, we will become instruments that bring Him glory. Are you purging your life of sinful attitudes, worldly habits, and ungodly influences? If so, God will prepare you for every good work He has ordained for you to fulfil (cf. Ephesians 2:10).
Paul then gives three crucial instructions to maintain ourselves as honourable vessels:
Flee youthful lusts: “Flee also youthful lusts” (v. 22a). Youthful lusts include more than sexual sins; they also include pride, impatience, quarrelsomeness, ambition, and all kinds of selfish desires. God’s servant must actively flee these things.
Follow righteousness, faith, love and peace: “Follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (v. 22b). It’s not enough to flee from sin. We must also pursue godly virtues, alongside others who “call on the Lord out of a pure heart”. Running from sin must be matched by running towards righteousness with all the people of God.
Avoid foolish arguments and cultivate gentleness: “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (vv. 23-26).
The servant of the Lord must not be argumentative and quarrelsome, but be “gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves”. Our goal is not to win debates, but to restore souls. With patience and prayer, we labour, trusting that God may grant repentance and rescue those ensnared by the devil. In your teaching and interactions, ask yourself: “Am I striving to win arguments, or working to restore hearts?” “Is my conduct and message drawing others towards Christ, or pushing them further away?”
To be a vessel of honour in God’s great house, we must flee from what corrupts, pursue what is godly, and serve others with gentleness. Then only can we reflect Christ, to the glory of God.
Sermon Text: Psalm 107:1–32
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 4th May 2025