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READ:

2 Peter 1:5

⁵ And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge.

EXHORTATION:

The apostle Peter had just mentioned in the previous verse that God has granted to believers exceeding great and precious promises, that they may escape the corruption that is in the world through lust. In fact, through God’s promises given to the believers, they are empowered to attain many more spiritual advantages than being delivered from the lustful snares of this corrupt world. All the potential for greater spiritual attainments and excellence is provided for every Christian in God’s exceeding great and precious promises. The supply is abundant, but it needs to be appropriated by believers.

So, Peter exhorts us to show greater enthusiasm by “giving all diligence” in our spiritual pursuits. The apostle calls us to greater earnestness and activity. The responsibility of believers to pursue spiritual excellence is stressed in those words. Being thankful for His great promises is not enough. Spiritual heights and glories in a Christian life are to be pursued with utmost labour. Idleness, negligence, disengagement and suchlike are not for those who appreciate God’s great promises.

We ought to show diligence, first of all, in getting our own individual lives aligned with spiritual realities. Before we can make any real impact in others’ lives for God’s glory, we must make progress in our own personal lives. We need to pay attention and make every effort by trusting in His gracious promises to cultivate all the wonderful spiritual qualities and abilities that the Lord expects of us. In order to do that, we must trust in God’s gracious provisions that He has promised. We must not give in to lethargy, discouragement, disappointments or frustrations. Trusting in God’s wonderful promises, we must thrust forward to make spiritual progress in our own lives. Others may discourage us, circumstances may attempt to deter us, but we must give all diligence to progress in our quest for spiritual excellence. This is why God has graciously given us His “exceeding great and precious promises”.

Now, our faith in God’s promises must lead us to virtue. The word “virtue” refers to spiritual and moral excellence that would bring praise to our God. The more we strive to glorify God, the more we need to know His will to perform it. So, let us strive by faith unto virtue and knowledge.

READ:

Hebrews 13:5b

^5b For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

EXHORTATION:

Herein we have a reminder of God’s promise of His presence and tender care for all His people. The word “for” connects it to the earlier portion of this passage, which exhorts Christians to avoid a covetous life and to live in contentment. This divine promise is mentioned to encourage us to live contentedly with what we have in our peculiar circumstances. This promise of the Lord is intended to instil in us courage to live contentedly. These assuring words of the Lord are spoken to every child of God. The word “thee”, being singular, addresses every individual child of God. None of His children will be without God’s presence and provision.

This promise of God to every child of His is not just for certain occasions only, but it is for all times. The Lord said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” The word “never” tells us that no time is excluded. Even in hard times, He will remain with His child as his faithful God to help and guide him. This promise covers every circumstance and every moment in the life of a child of God. Be it in times of plenty or scarcity, the Lord shall be with His child. Dear child of God, are you going through times of great need or difficulty? Is your heart filled with anxiety? You should now say to your heart, “God, who has promised me that He will never leave me, is with me now. He will not abandon me in this hour of need. Oh, praise the Lord, who is my great companion and help!”

This promise also goes with His children wherever the Lord would lead them. To every one of them, wherever His providence would lead him, He says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” When the Lord spoke to Joshua to strengthen him to lead the people of Israel into the land of the Canaanites to conquer it, He promised that His presence would be with him. The Lord promised Joshua, saying, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9). The Lord, who had been with all His servants wherever He sent them, will also be with each of us who trust Him and go where He leads.

When God is with us, we have all the good that we can ever have in our life. What comfort and confidence this promise brings to His children as they go through all sorts of difficulties, troubles, weaknesses, losses, desertions, strange places, and dangers!

READ:

Hebrews 13:5a

^5a Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have.

EXHORTATION:

Christians must be careful to avoid covetousness in life. It is a pernicious sin. The prophet Habakkuk said, “Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil” (Habakkuk 2:9)! In other words, one who lives covetously to secure a life of ease, which is seemingly free from troubles, will only invite greater troubles to his house.

In exposing its maliciousness, the Scriptures warn Christians against living with a covetous spirit. Consider some of the following Scriptural depictions of covetousness:

• Covetousness or “love of money” is “the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10a).
• Covetousness is an ensnaring sin. 1 Timothy 6:9a says, “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare”.
• Covetousness leads to “many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Timothy 6:9b).
• Covetousness is an afflicting sin. Covetous people have “pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10c). No wonder the apostle James says, “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you” (James 5:1)!
• Covetous people “have erred from the faith” (1 Timothy 6:10b).
• Covetousness deceives the hearer of God’s Word into pursuing wealth at the expense of God’s wisdom, which will thereby “choke the word, and he [the hearer] becometh unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22; cf. Ezekiel 33:31).
• Covetousness interferes with a life of contentment and godliness (1 Timothy 6:6-9).
• Covetousness holds down people from entering the kingdom of God. In Mark 10:23, Jesus said, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:10; Ephesians 5:5).
• Covetousness brings God’s wrath upon people (Ephesians 5:6). Thus Proverbs 11:4 reminds us, “Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.”

Let us therefore be content with whatever the Lord has given us, and do not covet the luxuries and riches of this world.

READ:

Jeremiah 29:13

¹³ And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

EXHORTATION:

This is an exhortation found in the concluding section of a letter that the prophet Jeremiah wrote to the Jewish captives who were deported from Jerusalem to Babylon in 597 BC. He knew that the Jewish people would have a difficult time in that heathen nation. So in that letter, Jeremiah, like a very concerned pastor, sought to instruct and encourage them. He told them how they should conduct themselves in that heathen land so that they may be good witnesses to the idolatrous Babylonians.

Jeremiah also warned them not to follow the false Jewish prophets who were among them. He wrote, “Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD” (vv. 8-9). Those false diviners had given the Jewish captives the false hope of a quick return to their homeland. But Jeremiah told them that God would bring them back only after 70 years; as such, they should live in peace in the land and work to establish themselves there. He admonished them not to be afraid nor discouraged. The prophet also reminded them of their responsibility to seek the LORD in prayer so that the divine promise of their return after 70 years would be fulfilled according to His Word.

God’s people should always seek Him in prayer according to the knowledge of His will, as revealed in His Word. His promise is that if they seek Him, they shall find Him. The LORD wants His people to search for Him wholeheartedly. Even when He chastises His people for their sins, He graciously calls them back to Himself. His chastening is to remind His children that only when they diligently and sincerely seek Him, shall they enjoy His presence, provision and protection. The Lord shall not hide Himself away from His people forever. It is His pleasure to draw near to all who would draw near unto Him at His gracious promptings in their hearts. He will hear their prayers of repentance and forgive them. He will give them His peace even in the midst of their many afflictions. Whatever be the circumstances of their lives, He will draw near to all who genuinely seek Him in prayer. Do not doubt whether He will receive you if your heart is moved to seek Him. He seeks us before we seek Him. Our “search” for Him is the response of our hearts to His invitation.

READ:

2 Peter 1:4b

^4b That by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

EXHORTATION:

Having described the promises of God as “exceeding great and precious”, the apostle Peter now enumerates God’s ultimate purpose in giving His promises to the believers. God’s plan is to aid the believers, through the promises, to become “partakers of the divine nature”.

The Greek root word for “partaker” (koinōnós) is the same Greek word for “fellowship”. It means sharer or partner. What does it mean to share in the divine nature? It certainly does not denote the teachings of the heathen religions that man would ultimately be absorbed into what they call the divine one or become one with their so-called “god”. The notion that the creature could become one with the Creator is not only totally contrary to biblical teachings, but is also absolutely abhorrent to God!

It is important to note that Peter did not say that we might participate in God’s being, but in His divine nature. The term “nature” here indicates God’s character, and not His essence and substance. The expression “divine nature” does not indicate the Person of God. We can never participate in God’s Person, for we are and will always remain as human beings whom God has created. The last portion of our verse gives us a clearer understanding of what Peter meant by “divine nature”. Peter sheds light on the intended meaning of “divine nature” when he mentioned “having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust”. So the divine nature is the opposite of “the corruption that is in the world through lust”. In other words, we are called to partake in God’s holiness. Hebrews 12:10 also mentions the same purpose of God concerning the believers that “we might be partakers of his holiness”. Likewise, in Ephesians 4:23-24, the apostle Paul exhorts us, “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

God gave us the promises that we may be attracted to His holiness to become partakers of it. We should not be like those who are allured by the material prospects of this world and become partakers of the corruption of its lust (or evil desires). “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).

READ:

2 Peter 1:4a

^4a Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises

EXHORTATION:

The promises of God are assurances which God has given to His people in the Scriptures. We can trust God to bestow all His promises to us because He is faithful and able to fulfil all that He has promised. Hence, none of His promises will fail.

These promises are “exceeding great” because they come from an infinitely great God. The promises of the Bible are an expression of God’s greatness, all-sufficiency, omnipotence, omniscience, grace, mercy, love, etc. His great power to bring about all His plans and promises, makes all His promises to be exceedingly great. The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee” (Jeremiah 32:17). Our Lord Jesus Himself said, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). As God is great, so are His promises.

All the promises of God are also referred to as “precious promises”. The word “precious” obviously means valuable, costly, honourable, etc. They are like a treasure storehouse of inexhaustible help from God to His people. They constitute also the best and most befitting help amidst all our challenges and trials of life. Furthermore, the promises of God give us the most earnest encouragement to face temptations and trials and come forth as triumphant Christians. Indeed, Christians can find their most assured help in God’s promises. When doubts and fears assail our hearts, God’s people can firmly stand upon the promises of God.

Every biblical promise from God is absolutely trustworthy because the One who promises is unchanging, faithful, ever true, all-powerful, and all-wise. When God has promised, He will perform because it is His word of truth and power. He performs all that He utters. The promises of God are given to believers for their inheritance. He will bestow them all upon them, just as He has promised. 2 Corinthians 1:20 declares unto us that “all the promises of God in him (i.e. in Christ) are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” Christ is the guarantee of all the promises of God unto us. So the apostle Paul asked rhetorically in Romans 8:32, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

Sermon Text: Psalm 110:1–7
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 22nd June 2025

Every day, we wake up and choose what we will wear. We choose those outward garments for their comfort, fashion, function, etc. Arrayed in our chosen attire, we step out to meet the world. Yet there is a garment far more significant than that which covers the body, one that truly matters before both God and men, for it adorns the soul, governs the conduct, and sanctifies the whole life.

God’s Word counsels us to “be clothed with humility.” Being adorned with humility is of far greater value than any outward ornament or attire, as Peter said in 1 Peter 3:3-4, “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” The apostle also said in 1 Peter 5:5 - “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” 

Humility Before God

Humility is the posture of the soul that acknowledges God’s greatness and our unworthiness. Isaiah 57:15 declares, “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit...” God is “the high and lofty One”, far above all creation, eternal and unbounded by time, whose name is “Holy”, set apart in purity and perfection, unapproachable by sinful man. And yet, in astonishing grace, this same God condescends to dwell with the lowly in heart! 

The Word of God commands us to be humble in order to walk with God. A soul cannot stand proudly, but must bow itself before God in repentance. The humble heart makes room for God’s nearness. He who inhabits eternity chooses to commune with those who tremble at His Word. Let us, therefore, humble ourselves before Him, for in our lowliness, we find the abiding presence of the Most High.

To be humble before God is also to recognise our absolute dependence on Him. As the apostle Paul wrote, “and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). Every breath, every gift, and the only hope of salvation come from His gracious hand. The humble heart confesses, like David, “I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me” (Psalm 40:17). 

To be humble before God further means that as we recognise our need for Him and repent of self-reliance, we walk in submission and obedient service to Him. Micah 6:8 captures this essential posture: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

Living humbly before God brings rich and enduring blessings that cannot be earned by human effort or outward religion. James teaches that the humble soul is the special recipient of God’s grace and favour. James 4:6 declares, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” In declaring that “God resisteth the proud”, the text warns us that pride places us in direct opposition to the Lord. But to the humble, to those who bow low in reverence and dependence—He gives more grace. Grace is God’s undeserved favour, His strength given in our weakness, His mercy in our need. The proud cannot receive it, for they do not sense their need. But the humble are open vessels, and God fills them again and again. This truth is reiterated in James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” God does not despise the lowly; He honours them. He does not overlook the contrite; He draws near to them. In contrast, those who are lifted up in pride will be brought low. “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD” (Proverbs 16:5).

True Christian living begins and continues in a spirit of lowliness before the Lord.

Humility Before Others

Humility before others flows naturally from humility before God. When we see ourselves rightly before the Lord—as undeserving sinners saved by grace—we are far less inclined to elevate ourselves above our brethren. Instead, we become eager to serve, and quick to honour others. Walking humbly with God shapes how we deal with others—justly, mercifully, and humbly.

Scripture teaches us that true greatness in the kingdom of God is marked not by position or praise, status or recognition, rank or applause, but in the quiet, selfless posture of a servant’s heart. Jesus said, “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:11-12). In the Lord’s eyes, the one who prefers others has already attained greatness. The Lord is also committed to honouring and lifting those who humbly stoop to help and honour others.

Humility in the community of God’s people means esteeming others above ourselves and serving others without seeking praise, advantage or reward. The proud seeks honour from others; the humble gives it. Romans 12:10 instructs us: “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another”. A humble person is eager to respect others. He is concerned about the good, the growth, and the honour of those around him.

Christians’ humility is also crucial to maintaining fellowship and unity in the church. Without humility, there can be no lasting peace in relationships, whether in the church, the home, or the wider community. Philippians 2:3 exhorts us, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” This “lowliness of mind” is a Christ-like view of self and others that promotes grace and unity. A humble heart does not seek to prove itself superior; instead, it seeks peace. It readily forgives because it remembers how much it has been forgiven by God. It does not keep a record of wrongs, but looks for ways to restore fellowship. As Paul continues in Philippians 2:5-8, he points us to Christ, who humbled Himself even unto death for our reconciliation. To prefer others for God’s glory is not weakness—it is greatness, even Christ-likeness, as God’s Word defines it.

The humble also remain teachable and meek in spirit. They will acknowledge that they do not know everything and must be guided by God and those who are godly. A humble heart listens, receives correction, and grows in wisdom. While the proud resist counsel, the humble listen and become wise. Proverbs 13:10 asserts, “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” Again, Proverbs 15:31–33 says, “The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” A humble, teachable heart receives correction, and thus God’s help, to grow in wisdom.

Moreover, humility fosters spiritual growth, while pride hinders it. Humility opens the way to wisdom and maturity. Humble hearts that recognise their need for spiritual growth and maturity, welcome correction and instruction, and are grateful for the help they receive (cf. Proverbs 11:2). But the proud resist correction, refuse to learn, leading to spiritual stagnation and downfall. 1 Corinthians 8:2 warns, “And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.” True spiritual knowledge and growth occur only when we do not assume that we have attained full knowledge and spiritual growth. So, James 1:21 exhorts us, “...receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” A humble spirit is necessary to receive God’s Word and grow through it.

Conclusion: Be Clothed with Humility

The Christian must “be clothed with humility” (1 Peter 5:5). It should cover every aspect of life – our appearance, our conduct, our prayers, our service, our relationships. Humility is not weakness; it is strength yielded to God. As we humble ourselves before God and before one another, we reflect the character of Christ and prepare ourselves to receive more of His grace.

READ:

Psalm 105:3

³ Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

EXHORTATION:

Believers are exhorted to “glory” in the LORD’s holy name. The Hebrew word rendered “glory” is the same word from which we get the word “hallelujah” (meaning “praise ye the LORD”). It denotes praise. The special subject mentioned for believers’ praise is the holy name of their God. In other words, the fact that the LORD is holy should help them to rejoice and praise Him from their hearts.

The very fact that the LORD is holy gives us confidence to trust Him and believe all that He has promised. The LORD’s holiness guarantees us that He is good and perfect, and that He will show unto us His goodness, love, mercy, truth and grace. Because He is holy, He shall be faithful in all His promises which He has given us in His Word. Therefore, we can trust Him at all times, and rest in His goodness and love.

So without hesitation, we glory in His holy name. We rejoice and praise Him for His holiness. The Lord’s holiness is something to exult in. There is nothing whatsoever to be ashamed about our God. We only have reason to rejoice and be glad that the LORD our God is perfectly holy.

We rejoice that we are forgiven and brought into a close relationship with Him who is infinitely holy. We are glad that we are given the most wonderful privilege to trust and follow the Holy One. We rejoice that we can commune with Him. We rejoice that our holy God leads us daily in His paths of righteousness. As we walk with Him in His righteous ways, we praise Him for the honour and blessings which He grants to us.

Thus the psalmist says, “let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.” We who seek the Lord exult in the opportunities that we have daily to seek Him. How wonderful it is that we can love Him, learn His Word, know His will, walk in His ways, and seek Him without fear! Worldly men may rejoice and glory in the wealth, luxuries and pleasures of this world, but we rather rejoice in that we can seek the Lord who is holy. In Jeremiah 9:23-24, the LORD exhorts us, “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: but 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.” Let us truly rejoice and glory in the holiness of our God.

READ:

Hebrews 7:25b

^25b Seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

EXHORTATION:

The whole verse says, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

This saving ability of Christ rests upon not only His death and resurrection, but also on the fact of His ever living to make intercession for those who come to God by Him. Unlike the Levitical priests whose intercessions were interrupted by their deaths, Christ lives for ever as the Intercessor for those who come to God through Him. His intercession for His people is uninterrupted as He lives forever in heaven before the Father.

If Christ had not resurrected from the grave and ascended to heaven to intercede for us, His death alone could not have saved us. The reason He can save us to the uttermost is that He lives for ever as our perfect Priest. He can take us all the way to heaven because His Priesthood is eternal. Other priests fell short, because they died. But Christ’s Priesthood is uninterrupted, unchanging, unending, and hence He alone is able to save us to the uttermost.

Some Christians, when they fall into sin, become very concerned that they would lose their salvation. However, the apostle John tells us, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). So, if we come to God by confessing our sins and believing in our Saviour’s abiding intercession for us, we can be assured of His forgiveness of our sins and our sanctification. Because Jesus lives for ever to intercede for us, we have the guarantee that our salvation cannot be lost. He secures us by His perpetual life and intercession before the Father.

God the Father needs no persuasion to look upon us with compassion, other than to have Jesus, who died for us, living before Him forever as our Advocate. True, our sins cry out for God’s vengeance, but the voice of His Son, who has shed His blood for us on the cross, cries still louder for His mercy and pardon. And His plea for us is offered endlessly before God!

Christ’s plea for us shall not fail for it is based on His atoning death on our behalf. Christ is an Advocate who will not fail. So, everyone who trusts in Christ can be comforted and assured of their eternal salvation.