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READ:

Romans 8:4

⁴ That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

EXHORTATION:

Who can fulfil the righteousness of the law? No one can, except Christ, the Son of God who became the Son of man, that He might fulfil the righteousness of the law on our behalf. Everyone has sinned and offended the law of God, and has become unrighteous. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). So, the law of God cannot make the sinner righteous. As Paul said in an earlier verse, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh” (Romans 8:3). Christ became our perfect Sacrifice, by living a perfectly righteous life in obedience to the law, to take our condemnation of sin in His flesh.

When the perfection of Christ is credited to us, or when we are justified by the imputation of His righteousness, it will be evidenced by our righteous walk. When His righteousness becomes ours, we walk according to His righteousness through the enabling of His Spirit. Before, we could not fulfil the commandments of the law. Now in Christ, having His righteousness imputed to us and His Spirit to guide and strengthen us, we cease to walk after the flesh and its lusts, and begin to walk after the Spirit. Day by day, as we live in Christ, a new kind of life begins to emerge which is obedient to His righteous law.

Now, what we could not do in obedience to God, Christ not only has done for us, but also enables us to do by His Spirit. Is not that a most wonderful thing? What God demands, He also supplies! Because we cannot fulfil on our own what He demands of us, He gives it to us. Notice that Paul did not say “we fulfil the righteousness of the law”, but that “the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us”, while pointing to the Holy Spirit who is in us to lead us.

Having come to Christ, we can now overcome our sins that once defeated us. Now with the Holy Spirit’s help, we can live the kind of life that God requires of us. We once could not attain it on our own strength, but now in Christ, by His Spirit’s power, we can fulfil His righteous will. Praise the LORD!

READ:

Colossians 3:2

² Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 

EXHORTATION:

Those who are risen with Christ have not only a new spiritual pursuit (Colossians 3:1), but also a new passion, which Paul describes in our text for today.

The verb “set your affection” (phroneo) means “direct your mind to something”. A Christian’s thoughts should be directed to Christ and the things associated with where He now dwells. That is our ultimate destination; hence it must be our preoccupation while we live on this earth. We are to be heavenly-minded (“on things above”) because, as Paul says in Philippians 3:20, “For our conversation (or citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ”.

What are your great interests? The great object of our contemplation should be the celestial city that Jesus is preparing for us. Readiness for that final home must be our greatest passion on earth.

While we are exhorted to be heavenly-minded, we are also cautioned not to be earthly-minded – “not on things on the earth”. Our affections should not be placed on wealth and health, houses and lands, honour and pleasure, etc. Neither should our passions be the worldly fashions and corrupting entertainments of this world. Worldly lusts must be denied. The deeds of the flesh, which are sinful, must be mortified. No provision should be made for the encroachment of worldly allurements.

While Christ and heaven draw us upwards, the world and its charms draw us downwards. Let us not yield to the pull of earthly things, but earnestly pursue heavenly things. Let us not love things that are earthly and perishing, but those that are heavenly and everlasting. The apostle John admonishes us in 1 John 2:15-16, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

Christians must always be conscious and deliberate to prefer and pursue heavenly and eternal matters above earthly and carnal matters. Unless our affections are set on the heavenly matters, we will never seek after them in a proper manner. Let Christ and heavenly things be our greatest concern, passion and pursuit. Let us be desirous of everything that fixes us to heaven and its eternal glory.

READ:

Colossians 3:1

¹ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

EXHORTATION:

The opening words of the verse, “If ye then be risen with Christ”, assume that the readers are those who have experienced the new life in Christ (i.e. those who are born again). The word “if” is used logically, as a means of argument, and not as a means of doubt.

Representatively, all the elect of God died with Christ unto sin and resurrected with Him unto newness of life. Dying and rising with Christ is a spiritual reality that they also personally experience. In an earlier chapter, Paul told the believers that “you, being dead in your sins… hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses” (Colossians 2:13). So those who are “risen with Christ” are no more dead in their sins, but they “are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12b). Our faith in Christ, the joy of forgiveness, sanctification and all other spiritual realities which we enjoy are abundant evidence of the power of His resurrection that is at work in our lives (cf. Ephesians 1:19-20).

In our text, Paul speaks of the new spiritual pursuit of those who are risen with Christ, as they “seek” (zēteite) or strive earnestly for those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. The phrase, “those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God”, points us to all things with reference to Christ’s present exalted state.

Since He is interceding for us as our Advocate at His Father’s side, we must seek His forgiveness and sanctification (cf. 1 John 2:1).

Since Christ reigns in heaven as the Head of the church, we must submit to His headship (Ephesians 1:20-22; 5:23-24); we must give Him pre-eminence in all the affairs of our life (Colossians 1:18); we must seek to be nourished up in the fullness that He grants us as our Head (cf. Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 2:10, 19); we must seek to grow unto the Head, even our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:15); and we must seek to be knitted together as His body (Colossians 2:19).

Since He is preparing a place for us in heaven, let us be ready for His coming, and for the heaven and the rewards which He is preparing for us (John 14:1-3; Colossians 3:24; Hebrews 10:35).

READ:

Acts 19:20

²⁰ So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

EXHORTATION:

When the apostle Paul and his team arrived in the city of Ephesus, they preached the Gospel to the Jews first. Paul went into the Jewish synagogue and “spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8). But some of the hearers “were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude” (v. 9). He was forced to move out of the synagogue, and thereafter taught in the school of Tyrannus. The hostility notwithstanding, Paul undauntedly preached the Word, influencing the Jews as well as the Greeks in that city and its surrounding region (v. 10).

Another giant obstacle to the Gospel advancement in that city was its enchantment with sorcery and witchcraft. Ephesus was renowned for the statue of Artemis and her temple. The statue had mysterious engravings on the crown, girdle and feet. Those mystical writings, referred to as “Ephesian scripts”, were considered to have magical power. Sorcery was part of the Ephesian culture. Some of the Jews also practised wizardry, as revealed in Acts 19:13 – “Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.” When seven sons of Sceva, the chief of the Jewish priests, tried to exorcise some demons in the name of Jesus, they were violently attacked by the demonic man. This incident brought much fear among the people.

Nonetheless, the preaching of the Word of God turned many away from their diabolical practices. “And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver” (Acts 19:18, 19). Mightily did the Word of God grow and prevail in that city, where unbelief and fierce demonic activities stood in its way.

In our own day, many dabble with horoscopes, tarot cards, crystal balls, Ouija boards, séances and other mystical and demonic activities, which are dangerous to their minds and emotions. If the church is preaching the Word faithfully and fervently, we will see some people being delivered from unbelief, and the enticement and enslavement of the devil. The preaching of the Word shall prevail over all demonic powers!

READ:

Luke 11:28

²⁸ But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

EXHORTATION:

Jesus spoke those words in response to a woman who loudly proclaimed the blessedness of Mary, His mother. Her words about Mary were: “Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked” (Luke 11:27). Jesus neither denied her words nor reproved her for what she said. In fact, His words “Yea rather” implied that He agreed to the woman’s declaration that Mary was blessed to bear and suckle such a child (cf. Luke 1:27-28, 42, 48), but He also wanted to pronounce something more joyous than the honour and privilege of bearing and suckling the Holy Child. Jesus wanted them to possess the greatest, noblest and purest joy that transcends all other rejoicings of man.

Have you realised that there is no greater blessedness than hearing and obeying God’s Word? Jesus said, “blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” True happiness belongs to those who hear and obey God’s Word. This is a greater blessedness than being physically related to Jesus. More than merely an earthly relationship with Him, He wanted all to seek a spiritual relationship with Him that leads to ultimate joy.

A true loving relationship with Christ entails one’s faithful allegiance to His words. Jesus had said on another occasion, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). We must not only hear His words, but also obey them diligently. As James wrote in his epistle, “…not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” (James 1:25).

Where there is a high regard for His Word, there will His love, cheer and blessings flourish. His promises of blessedness to those who hear and obey are repeated in the Scriptures. Revelation 1:3 says, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 22:7 assures, “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”

Even if you give assent to His Word with your nods, it would be of no avail unless you hear, believe and put it into practice. Blessedness belongs to those who hear and obey His Word. He who hears to believe, and believes to do His Word, shall be blessed.

READ:

Hebrews 4:12a

^4:12a For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword.

EXHORTATION:

Three astounding properties of the Word of God are revealed in our reading from Hebrews 4:12. No other book wields such qualities as the Bible. This is because it is “the word of God”. It is divine. It is that which God has revealed through His selected servants (cf. 2 Peter 1:21). It is God’s revelation of His truth. All that it says is from God.

The first quality of the Bible mentioned here is “quick”. The word “quick” is the translation of a Greek word zon, which means “living”. Its original verbal form (present participle) in the Greek text suggests a constantly active kind of living. The Word of God is not lifeless, dormant or passive. As the living Word, it powerfully interacts with those who seek its counsels. In John 6:63, Jesus said, “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” The Christian martyr, Stephen, referred to God’s Word as “lively oracles” (Acts 7:38). Because God’s Word is quick, it can quicken our souls. It is not only living, but also life-giving.

The second quality of the Bible stated here is “powerful”. The word “powerful” is the translation of the Greek word energes (ἐνεργες), from which we get the English word “energy”. It indicates that the Word of God is active and energizing. It is able to act and produce all that God has purposed it to accomplish. The Lord said in Isaiah 55:11, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” In 1 Thessalonians 2:13, we read of “the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe”.

The third quality of the Bible identified here is that it is “sharper than any twoedged sword”. This depiction of the Word of God is found several times in the Bible (cf. Isaiah 49:2; Revelation 1:16; 2:12; 19:15). The metaphor of a double-edged sword is used to give us a graphic picture of the awesome work that the Word of God can accomplish. God’s Word can pierce or penetrate our thoughts. The Word of God can cut through our conscience to lay bare and confront all our wicked and defiant ways. It exhorts, rebukes, corrects and instructs all who hear.

The Bible is living because its Author lives for ever. It is powerful for its Author is omnipotent. It pierces our hearts for its Author is all-knowing.

I share with you today an exhortation drawn from the timeless truths of God’s Word for our young men who are about to join the National Service (NS). GYF organised an online meeting for them yesterday, during which I gave this exhortation. 

By God’s providence, you have been enlisted to serve the nation and are about to embark on a period of training and preparation. Throughout history, men have been called upon to rise, defend, and serve their nation. And now, in His sovereign plan, God has arranged for you to step into this responsibility. This is not a mere coincidence but a divine appointment—a significant stage in your life where your faith and character will be tested and refined.

As you prepare for the journey ahead, I want to share with you four essential spiritual mindsets that will serve as guiding principles throughout your national service. Military service is not merely a profession, but a sacred duty that calls for spiritual resilience, unwavering faith, and Christ-likeness. 

Be Courageous

The Lord says, “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them ...” (Deuteronomy 31:6a). Courage is not the absence of fear, but the presence of faith in God and His promises amidst fear. On the battlefield—whether physical or spiritual—God calls men to remain steadfast, not swayed by fear but anchored in unwavering trust in Him. Therefore, we are commanded to strengthen ourselves by holding firmly to His Word. Do not allow circumstances or experiences to shake your confidence nor instil fear in your heart.

Be Disciplined and Obedient

Courage is not a reckless (or foolhardy), daring attitude but a disciplined and obedient approach to life, especially in the face of temptation and trials. A soldier must be disciplined and obedient to his commanding officer, and likewise, Christians must remain disciplined and obedient to our Heavenly Commander. As Scripture says, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3). A good soldier will be disciplined and obedient, equipping himself to face challenges, endure hardships, and remain steadfast in moments of crisis. Young men, train your bodies, discipline your minds, and guard your hearts with diligence and faithfulness.

Trust in God’s Presence

“For the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Deuteronomy 31:6b). God does not send His people into battle without His presence accompanying them. Just as commanders lead their troops into the fray, God Himself promises to go with you. When fear creeps in, the nights are long, and the conflict seems insurmountable, remember: God is with you! In moments of doubt or exhaustion, you can commune with Him in prayer, draw strength from His promises, and rejoice in the assurance of His unwavering presence.

Be Righteous

The army may offer you rewards, promotions, and financial incentives, but do not let these become the driving force behind your service. Never covet them nor pursue them through dishonest or deceptive means. True excellence is not measured by rank or accolades, but by spiritual and moral integrity. Our country needs righteous men, for Scripture says, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). Young men, your integrity and character will speak louder than your words. Serve with honour, truthfulness and respect. Be an example to others in speech, action and attitude, reflecting the light of Christ in all you do.

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Testimonies from the YAF-YF Retreat (Kuching)

Reuel Resuma

I thank God for enabling me and my family to attend the YAF-YF Retreat, and for the retreat committee who laboured much to prepare and manage the programme well. I thank the Lord for the 7 groups which sang praises to Him, as well as for the three preachers: Pastor Koshy, Pr Samson, and Pr Cornelius, who expounded on the theme: “Living by the Spirit”.

Pr Cornelius preached about the “Person and Personality of the Holy Spirit”. I learned that the Spirit is not a thing, but a Person. He reveals His divinity through His personality. The Holy Spirit’s personality is shown in His intellect, emotion, and will. He also guides, strengthens, assures, communes with, and convicts the believer. The right response to the Holy Spirit is to fear and reverence Him as God. Pr Cornelius also preached on the fruit of the Spirit, as mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. Nine traits are mentioned: “love”, the essential nature of God; “joy”, the privilege and duty of every believer; “peace”, which stems from our justification by faith in Jesus; “longsuffering”, which is patience in suffering; “gentleness” and “goodness”, which are displayed in words and deeds of kindness; “faith”, our trust in God by the working of the Spirit; “meekness”, which is not being a pushover, but being sensitive to others, yet still standing firm in our convictions; “temperance”, also known as self-control, which is the believers’ wall of defence against sinful desires. We must honour God with our body, taking captive every thought for Christ, and fleeing from temptations. The fruit of the Spirit is singular, and is contrary to the works of the flesh. Without the Spirit’s help, we cannot bear the fruit of the Spirit.

Thereafter, Pr Samson taught us in 2 parts, about the “Work of the Holy Spirit”. Since the Holy Spirit has many roles, His works are many. He is the One who orchestrates our regeneration, quickens the believer, and gives new life. He baptizes us spiritually, and seals us. He indwells in us at the point of our salvation, and never leaves us. He adopts, fills, empowers, equips, and illumines us. He also bestows spiritual gifts upon and comforts the believer.

I learned from Pastor that, though we are still in our sinful flesh that constantly tries to make us sin, we are not to walk after the flesh. Because of this, there is a war in us waged by the flesh against our soul. Paul reminds us that “to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). The flesh is against God, and when we lived in the flesh before our regeneration, we were against God and was under God’s condemnation. Now being justified by faith in Christ, we have the Holy Spirit to help us to fight against the lust of the flesh.  Even though our life will always be a constant battle against the flesh, if we yield to the Spirit, we can overcome the flesh. 

I thank the Lord for all the things I have learned during the retreat, and also for the fellowship we had with the brethren in Kuching. “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14). All glory and praise be to God!

Christopher Low

“Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 106:1).

I thank God for helping my family and me to attend this year’s YAF-YF Retreat on the theme: “Living by the Spirit”.

In the 1st theme message, I learned that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are equal in essence, glory, and power. We must not grieve the Holy Spirit, as the Bible says in Ephesians 4:30 – “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

In the 2nd theme message, I was taught that regeneration is the act of the Holy Spirit alone. He quickens elect sinners and makes them spiritually alive. Regeneration is once for all divine work; it is not repeated.

The 3rd theme message taught me about the Holy Spirit’s work of sanctifying believers and transforming them to be more like Christ. The Spirit also empowers us to serve God faithfully.

In the 4th theme message, I learned about the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. We must bear these various traits in our lives.

In the 5th theme message, I learned about the peace we have through our Lord Jesus Christ. His mercy keeps us from falling. Romans 8:6 says, “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

The 6th theme message reminded me that the carnal mind is against God. We must not follow worldly trends or philosophies, but walk after the Spirit.

In the final theme message, I learned that sin will always try to pull us back, and we will face trials and temptations. But after salvation, we are made into new creatures in Christ and have the Holy Spirit’s power to overcome sin.

I thank God for Pastor, Pr Cornelius, and Pr Samson, who preached God’s Word faithfully. Praise God also for the seven choir groups that presented songs, and for everyone who worked hard to organise the retreat. I thank God that I could join a choir group and sing for His glory. I have learned many wonderful lessons during this retreat. I pray that God will help me live by the Spirit and walk closer to Him every day. All glory and praise be unto God!

Caleb Low

“Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD” (Psalm 113:1). I thank God for giving me the opportunity to attend the YAF-YF Retreat on the theme: “Living by the Spirit”. I would like to share some lessons which I have learnt from theme message 4 on “The Fruit of the Spirit”. 

I learn that we are to love God and others, to be joyful, and to have peace with God, personal peace, and peace with others. 

I am also reminded to be longsuffering, slow to anger, and to be gentle and do good to others. As Galatians 6:10 exhorts us, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” 

We must have faith in God and trust Him. We must be humble, “with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).

Lastly, we must have temperance, i.e. to have self-control. 

I pray that God will help me to live out the fruit of the Spirit every day. I want to show love and kindness to my family and friends, to be patient when things don’t go my way, and to trust God in everything. I also want to have self-control in how I speak and act, so that I can be a good testimony for Jesus. May God help me to grow more like Christ!

Nathan Resuma

I am thankful to God that my family and I could attend the YAF-YF Retreat in Kuching, as well as for the fellowship among brethren from Kuching and Singapore, and for the lessons I have learned from Pr Cornelius, Pr Samson and Pastor Koshy.

I learned from Pr Cornelius on the “Person and Personality of the Holy Spirit”, and how it is fundamentally important for Christians to understand that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, who reveals His divinity through His divine personality. He has intellect, wisdom, emotions, and the will to decide and choose, and He can be obeyed, mistreated or abused through actions, such as blaspheming or lying to Him. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, yet and is equal to both of them. From this, I learned that Christians must worship Him accordingly, and not sin against Him.

I learned from Pr Samson on the “Work of the Holy Spirit”, concerning how He has been working since the beginning of time, and on how He works in believers. Pr Samson taught us how the Holy Spirit regenerates us to make us alive unto the call of salvation, baptizes us into union with Christ at the point of conversion, seals us by His presence as an assurance of our redemption and salvation, indwells all believers of the Old and New Testaments, graciously adopts us and give us the rights of God’s family, bestows spiritual gifts unto believers, never fails to intercede for us, and comforts us. Along with these, I learned that the Spirit calls, fills, empowers, and equips God’s servants for the ministry.

I also learned about the “Fruit of the Spirit” from Pr Cornelius, and how that Christians must live a fruitful life by partaking of the virtues of godliness. We must obey the Spirit’s working in us, so that the fruit of the Spirit, which is “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22-23), can be strengthened and preserved. The fruit of the Spirit is different from but works hand in hand with the gifts of the Spirit, for without the fruit, the gifts are poorly applied. Fruitful character and godly traits come from devotion to God, and results from the Spirit’s working in us.

I learned from Pastor on the main theme, “Living by the Spirit”, that we need the Spirit to convict us of sin, to bring us to Christ, help us against temptation, and teach us to follow Christ. For In our life, there is a conflict – flesh warring against our souls. Furthermore, we are not free from Satan’s attacks. However,  we can rely on the Spirit to help us against flesh and Satan’s temptations. We must be willing to obey the Spirit’s bidding, surrender to God, and be spiritually minded by walking after the Spirit. We must never degenerate into carnal mindedness, but fight against it with the Spirit’s help, and let Him lead us to be more than conquerors for Christ.

Finally, I thank God for another opportunity to encourage the church in Kuching, and for the camp committee in the planning of this retreat. To God be all the glory.

Juffrey Balicao

Praise the LORD for the recent YAF-YF Retreat held in Kuching, on the theme: “Living by the Spirit”. It is by the Lord’s mercy and grace that all participants were sustained, preserved, and fed with His Word. He also blessed all the participants with a good time of fellowship during the breaks and game session, and in meeting the brethren at the Kuching mission station.

This year-end retreat is particularly noteworthy for my family and me. Firstly, I thank God for allowing me to serve as a member of the retreat committee. The Lord guided, strengthened, and gave wisdom to every committee member to fulfil their duties. Thank God for the spirit of unity and humility to serve Him and His people during this retreat. Additionally, I thank God for the good voices of the brethren who presented song presentations during each theme message. Furthermore, the Lord has blessed my family by enabling us to join this year-end retreat and be reunited. Thank God for the provision through the church, which sponsored both my family’s retreat fee and flights. This was our first visit to the mission church in Kuching, and our first time having fellowship with the brethren there.

During this 3-day event, the Lord blessed us with spiritual blessings through the preaching of His Word. The 1st theme message was delivered by Pr Cornelius and focused on the “Person and Personality of the Holy Spirit”. He thoroughly explained the Holy Spirit’s attributes of personality (intellect, emotions, will) and the Holy Spirit’s actions in the believer’s life (guiding, teaching, testifying, convicting of sin, interceding, restraining, sanctifying, equipping for service, calling for special service, assuring salvation). As Christians, we should know the workings of the Spirit and worship God accordingly.

For the next two theme messages, Pr Samson focused on the works of the Holy Spirit. It is important to note that every genuine believer has the Holy Spirit, and He is constantly working for the perfection of the believer’s faith. In the 4th theme message (by Pr Cornelius), we were taught about the two opposing forces in a believer’s life: the Spirit and the flesh. If you are led by the flesh, you shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Conversely, if you are led by the Spirit, you will be fruitful in the kingdom of God. With the nine traits listed by the apostle Paul in Galatians 5:22-23, we are encouraged us to bear all of the godly traits and to manifest them until we are perfected by the Lord.

Lastly, Pastor Koshy preached the remaining theme messages on “Living by the Spirit”, based on Romans 8:1-14. The Holy Spirit has quickened us from the deadness of sin, liberated us from the bondage of sin, and made residence in us permanently. He also leads believers to desire and passionately love and serve Christ. Spirit-minded believers must be Spirit-functioned and minded individuals. May we continuously fight against the works of the flesh with the help of the Holy Spirit, and walk constantly in His leading. All glory to God!

Stephanas Tan Yeh Wen

By God’s grace, my family attended the recent Kuching YAF-YF Retreat without much hindrance or sickness. Thank God also that the seven presentation groups (who had prepared tirelessly) were able to present their respective items well, even though some had fallen ill during the course of the retreat. May the Lord be pleased to use their music to edify both the musicians and the congregation.

Familiar doctrines, such as sanctification, calling, equipping, were given greater and more personal emphasis during this retreat. What blessings such doctrines and their implications bring to me! It is comforting that I am able to confess my sins and to trust in Jesus (the very first work of the Spirit in us) – only because of the Spirit that works in me, and not of myself. It is the Spirit that sanctifies me, calls and consecrates me to ministry, equips me with the relevant gifts and right attitudes to serve Him, and even grants me grace to be faithful – not of myself. Praise God that it is the Spirit alone who saves and empowers us!

One practical implication from the doctrines of the Holy Spirit is an emphasis in using the Word of God in evangelism, through which the Spirit of God works in order to bring about salvation. Another is to pray for the illumination of the Spirit upon the preachers and the listeners – for no theological degree nor human intelligence can grant such knowledge to our minds and hearts. Yet another is to trust wholly upon the Word of God in all that we say and do - for it is perfectly inspired and perfectly preserved by the Spirit for us!

Thank God for the messages addressing the gifts which the Spirit has bestowed upon us, as well as the nine traits of the fruit of the Spirit. What a reminder that we should take every opportunity to serve God, no matter how small or laborious, with much joy and thanksgiving, and not out of forced obligation (1 Corinthians 15:58) – relying upon the Holy Spirit to bear the fruit of the Spirit! May we not limit ourselves to ticking off a checklist, but to consider the list of 9 traits as non-exhaustive. 

I also praise God for the reminder that the love borne as part of the fruit of the Spirit and the world’s love is not the same. Though the world has hijacked the term “love” to disguise their lust, yet nothing is further away from biblical love. Such a difference may be seen by the phrase, “preferring one another” (Romans 12:10). So often we emphasise on what others can do for us, rather than what we can do for others! How often have we then imbued the love of the world, rather than bearing biblical love in ourselves! Oh, that we should have more of Christ’s love, and put off, yea, detest, despise, even hate the lust of the world that has clothed itself with the term “love”.

May the Lord be pleased to apply these lessons continually in my life for the benefit of others around me.

Sermon Text: Psalm 98:1–9
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 5th January 2025

READ:

1 Peter 1:23a

^23a Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God.

EXHORTATION:

All genuine Christians are “born again”. A second birth other than the natural birth is mentioned here. Jesus in his conversation with Nicodemus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). So, being “born again” is to enter God’s kingdom. Jesus tells us, “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7). In other words, no one enters His kingdom by virtue of his natural birth. Even though you are born to Christian parents, you do not enter His kingdom until you are born again.

Our text also says that our being born again is “not of corruptible seed”. In other words, it is not by means of any perishable seed of this earth. No earthly or human means, which are perishable, is sufficient to give us access into God’s kingdom.

Rather, as our text says, we are born again “of incorruptible, by the word of God”. It is only by means of the “incorruptible” or imperishable seed that one can be born again. This incorruptible seed, which is the imperishable life, is planted in a man “by the word of God”.

Here, “the word of God” is set forth as the means by which the incorruptible seed is implanted, that one may be born into God’s kingdom. James says in James 1:18, “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth”. The Word of God is the divine means of our regeneration. God’s Word has the power to give life to those “who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).

Later in verse 25, Peter reminded his readers that “this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” The Word of God is brought to us by the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by believing it, we are born again. How important it is that the Gospel be preached everywhere for the regeneration of men! Let us pray that the Lord will raise up preachers of His Word, and that His Spirit would empower them to preach the Gospel effectively. At the same time, let us praise God for the understanding of His Word that He has given to us, so that we might be born into His kingdom. Let us also love the Word of God and meditate upon it daily, that we may persevere in our spiritual life and bear fruits.

READ:

Matthew 24:35

³⁵ Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

EXHORTATION:

What a glorious affirmation by the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ concerning all the words He has revealed to us! Every word in the Bible that He has revealed is here to stay. You may sooner see the heaven and earth pass away than His words fail. The permanency of every word that the Lord has revealed by His Spirit (cf. 1 Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:16) is here guaranteed by Him.

The enduring nature of all the words that He has revealed in the Bible is unequivocally declared by the Lord Himself. He will not fail; neither will His words. We must trust His promise concerning all His words to be true. His words are not transient, but permanent!

Jesus’ assurance concerning the ever-abiding nature of His words was declared not only by Matthew, but also by the other Gospel-writers, namely Mark and Luke (cf. Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33).

Jesus’ assertion of the eternality of His words has been reiterated by His apostles in their epistles. For instance, the apostle Peter said, “… The word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:23b); “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever” (1 Peter 1:25a).

Deplorably, even scholars within the church challenge the authenticity and accuracy of the words of Scripture. Worse still, a vast number of churchgoers, including preachers, do not believe that every word of the Bible is perfectly preserved. But let us pay attention to Jesus’ promise that His words are immortal and immutable. Since we have Jesus’ assurance concerning the unchanging nature of all the words of the Bible, let us boldly reject all the suggestions of errors in the Bible. Every word of the Bible is perfect, true and eternal, not because scholars said so, but because Jesus said so. There is no greater witness to the infallibility, inerrancy, perfection and eternality of the words of the Bible than Christ our Saviour Himself!

Upon the ever-abiding and never-changing words, let us build our lives. There is no other foundation as stable and steadfast like His words to build our lives on. What a precious promise Jesus has given us, that we can fully trust all His words to be true and faithful forever!