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READ:

John 10:27

²⁷ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

EXHORTATION:

This is an emblematic description of the mutual relationship that exists between Christ and His genuine disciples. He described the relationship as that of a shepherd and his sheep. In these words, the Lord profoundly expresses His deep love and commitment to His people. He also assuredly speaks of His people’s commitment to Him.

The Lord calls them “My sheep”. Oh, how lovingly He regards His people as His own. He has taken ownership of them and unhesitatingly calls them “My sheep”. They were once like sheep that have gone astray, but now He has redeemed them by purchasing them with His own blood. He has earlier said that “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). So with pleasure, He now assuredly speaks of them as “My sheep.”

He not only speaks of them as His sheep, but also asserts the relationship He maintains with them. He calls out to them and makes sure that they can hear His voice. He again unhesitatingly declares that “I know them”, and thus manifests His deep affection and care for them. He knows them personally. He is well aware of their struggles, fears and needs. He knows them thoroughly. So He stays by them and leads them forward. He will make sure that they know He is there ahead of them, so they can follow Him with certainty. He never forsakes them, but always guides them forward. Even in dark valleys, He guides them forward with His voice.

The Lord also depicted His people’s response to His loving guidance and care. He said, “My sheep hear my voice”. They do not turn a deaf hear to His calling. They love to hear His voice and are ever ready to respond to His command. They would not acknowledge other voices. Only His voice they will hear. Earlier, He said, “And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers” (John 10:5). They are very uncomfortable when other voices are heard, and quickly turn far away from them. They are not only unenthusiastic about other voices, but detest them utterly. They would only follow His voice. So the Lord said, “and they follow me”. They trust His voice and readily obey His commands. Wherever He leads, they follow.

Dear reader, turn your ears to Christ’s voice, and only to His voice. Do not follow other voices in this world. His sheep are only happy in His pasture.

READ:

Matthew 8:22

²² But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

EXHORTATION:

Jesus’ words were here spoken to a hesitant disciple, who requested that he be first permitted “to go and bury my father” (v. 21). He wanted to fulfil his obligation to his father first. We are not told whether his father had fallen very ill or just died. It appears that he was simply expressing his preference to be at home to look after his father till the latter’s death.

Though it is a commendable thing to be a filial son who cares for his parents, it cannot be a higher duty than following Christ and doing His will. No obligation in life is superior to following Jesus Christ our Lord. All other commitments have to be placed under our commitment to the Lord. Jesus has said on another occasion, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37).

True, many a time, we desire to pursue good things; it is not that we covet to do evil things. However, if we, in choosing to do a lesser thing, forgo a nobler thing (such as a divine call to duty), it would be a serious offence.

Do you say, “Let me settle all my household chores first before I pray and seek His will”? There are many who prefer the inferior matters of this life to the superior matters of Christ and eternity. They would say, “Let me take care of my business first before I dedicate myself to worship Him every Lord’s Day”, or “Let me secure sufficient funds for my children’s education before I give myself to the Lord’s work”, or “Let me first foster my friendships before I come for the fellowship meetings of the church”, or “Let me entertain my clients first, then I will try to learn His Word”, etc.

Such a constant habit of relegating the greater things of Christ and His kingdom in order to enjoy the lesser things of this world is totally obnoxious to the Lord. A man does not need to deny the existence of God, or reject the Gospel message, or throw away his Bible, or commit an awful wickedness to be an utter spiritual failure. The moment he chooses to do anything at the expense of God’s will, he has just cast away the most sublime and superior offer that has been extended to him.

Jesus’ stark warning to the hesitating disciple is most instructive: “let the spiritually dead be concerned about the dead, but you should follow Me always.” Let no one distract you from ardently following your Lord.

READ:

Matthew 4:19

¹⁹ And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

EXHORTATION:

This verse records the words which the Lord Jesus spoke to Andrew and Simon. What a glorious call Jesus extended to those fishermen of Galilee! He took great pleasure in those people who were at the lower strata of society and offered them what they could not have otherwise inherited. His words are full of invitation, incentives and promises. They are for the joyful contemplation and obedience of anyone, regardless of status.

Firstly, we notice that herein is a warm invitation from our gracious Lord. He gently beckons us, “Follow me”. He is sure of the way, for He Himself is “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). What a great honour it is for us to receive an invitation from the Son of God to follow Him all the way to His glorious heavenly abode!

Secondly, He beckons us to accept His leading and demands total commitment from us. We cannot be half-hearted followers if we are to be partakers of the blessings unto which He is leading us. We must give Him our absolute allegiance. He makes no other demand here except that we faithfully follow Him.

Thirdly, He assures us that He will not fail to lead us. The words “Follow me” are very assuring, for they bespeak Christ’s role as our unfailing Leader. He is ready to lead us all the way. He does not give us any notion that at some point in our lives, He would desert us.

Fourthly, He gives us a personal promise, “I will make you fishers of men.” Simon and Andrew were only familiar with mending and casting nets. How could men, who had only been accustomed to boats, nets and fishes, be at home in preaching sermons? How could men of the sea become men of the Word? Nothing is impossible with the Son of God. Just as He promised, He used those fishermen of Galilee to conquer the souls of the rich and poor, the kings and peasants, the scholars and barbarians from around the world. We know, with hindsight from biblical and world history, that they became great soul-winners just as Jesus has promised.

Are you brought low by a sense of your own unworthiness? Do you feel that you can never be useful to lead men to Christ? Do not doubt any more. Accept His call. Follow Him and His will. Then His wisdom and power will transform you to be a soul-winner for His kingdom!

READ:

Matthew 10:38

³⁸ And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

EXHORTATION:

What is peculiar about the “cross” that every follower of Christ must bear? The cross was usually two rough wooden beams – one long and one short – joined together near the top of the long beam. It was an apparatus meant to inflict pain and death. Victims were forced to carry it to the place of their crucifixion. It placed on them not only a heavy burden, but also shame and disgrace. Thus the phrase “carrying the cross” has become a symbolic expression for shame, suffering and death one must endure.

Every follower of Christ has “his” own cross to bear. Christians must be prepared to endure whatever is burdensome, or trying, or considered as disgraceful, in order to be loyal and obedient followers of Christ.

Consecration to our Lord can mean giving up of our desires and pursuits to do His will. To some, it may be the giving up of certain pleasures, gains or advantages for Christ’s sake. To others, it could mean leaving familiar circumstances and people to go to far places in order to preach the Gospel.

Commitment to the Lord Jesus can also cause some to meet with opposition from family members, friends and even authorities. In such circumstances, the cross can mean endurance of reproach, loss of inheritance or possession, persecution and even death!

For others, it may involve the severance of friendships or relationships which are dishonouring to God. For Christ’s sake, Christians must be willing to be separated from every kind of ungodly human relationship.

Those who hesitate to suffer loss and shame would often turn away from Christ. There are wives who will not come to Christ for fear of separation from their unbelieving husbands, and vice versa. There are children who will not come to Christ for fear of their unbelieving fathers or mothers. Similarly, parents deny Christ for fear of their unbelieving children. People who value their family more than Christ will not take a stand for Him.

However, those who endure all kinds of losses and sufferings for Christ’s sake shall have Him to lead them. They will have the Lord to follow after, who will lead them all the way. Christ-followers are happy cross-bearers. They count everything as loss for the joy of gaining Christ for themselves.

READ:

Colossians 3:21

²¹ Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

EXHORTATION:

The advice given here for “fathers” is also for “mothers”, as the Greek word patēr is also translated as “parents” elsewhere in our English Bible (Hebrews 11:23). What is said here should be received by all who are parents.

All parents are commanded not to provoke their children lest they be discouraged. They should immediately refrain from any attitude, word or action that would cause irritation and emotional outburst. They must also be careful not to cause discouragement in the children. Parents must spend time daily with their children, instructing, teaching, correcting, encouraging and even entertaining them. They must make every effort to point children to Christ and His will.

The following unwise actions, which can cause severe provocation in children, should be carefully avoided by parents:

• Too much prohibition or overprotection. This will show up their little trust in their children and deprive the latter of liberty. It can lead to frustration and rebellion. So, give them the necessary freedom and encourage them to be responsible.
• Favouritism and unreasonable comparisons with other children. This can lead to unhappiness and disappointment. Do not condemn the child for not being like other children. Parents must accept every child as he is, and instruct him accordingly.
• Belittling children for their weaknesses. This will dishearten them.
• Being too difficult to please and over-exacting. This will also lead to provocation and disappointment in children. Parents must be mindful to avoid being critical all the time. Instead, make every effort to create a positive, even an uplifting and encouraging, environment.
• Being too quick to judge. This can result in false accusation and produce much displeasure in children. So, do not be hasty in rebuking children.
• Being violent with words and actions. This will cause children to feel oppressed and distressed. Sure, when the children err, they must be rebuked and corrected. The rod of correction may at times be necessary, yet it must be used with discretion and love (cf. Proverbs 13:24; 23:13, 14; 17:10). The rod must not be used to ventilate anger or to exact revenge.

READ:

Colossians 3:20

²⁰ Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

EXHORTATION:

God commands us to have proper conduct towards our dear ones in the family. God is insistent on how His children would regard and relate to one another in the home. All our family relationships are to be managed and nurtured according to the divine guidelines given in His Word. If we truly fear God and maintain a life of piety, then it ought to be seen in our conduct at home, in our relationships to our parents, our children, our spouses, our siblings and our other relatives.

Christian children are commanded to obey their parents. This command to obey requires that children show respect to their fathers and mothers. Holy Scripture repeatedly enjoins children to “Honour thy father and thy mother” (Exodus 20:12; Matthew 15:4; Ephesians 6:2). Children owe their parents an inward affection and regard. They must cultivate a courteous, respectful attitude towards their parents, and honour their parents with tokens of respect.

Even when children have grown up and their parents become aged, love and respect towards parents should continue. Proverbs 23:22 admonishes us, “Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.” Likewise, Proverbs 19:26 cautions, “He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.” Let no Christian ever be disrespectful to their aged and needy parents. When parents grow weak and frail, when they become helpless, or somewhat burdensome, we must shower them with tenderness, love and respect. Let us recall all their efforts and good advice they have rendered to bring us up, and show our thankfulness through our deeds of kindness and respect. Some parents might have failed in their parental duties; yet, Christians are duty-bound to show respect and care towards them at all times.

Younger children and youths are to obey their parents “in all things”. Their attitude of obedience must be shown in all aspects of life. Only when the parents’ instructions are contrary to God’s Word are children allowed to disagree with their parents. Ephesians 6:1 says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” Obeying parents in the Lord is the right thing to do and is well pleasing unto the Lord.

READ:

Colossians 3:19

¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

EXHORTATION:

Concerning the domestic affairs of Christians, God has stipulated differing but complementing duties to husbands and wives. While the wife was commanded to be submissive to her own husband, the husband is commanded to be the loving head of her and the family. In order that the family may function with peace and harmony, and for all of God’s special will and purposes concerning the family to be carried out, both husband and wife must fulfil their roles with great commitment.

Husbands are here commanded specifically to love their wives. The husband must be genuinely delighted with his wife’s presence and company, not seeking other women in sinful pleasure. He is enjoined in Proverbs 5:18-19, “Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.” In contrast, a warning is issued to those who would secretly cherish the company and pleasure of other women: “And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray” (Proverbs 5:20-23).

To the positive command to love, Paul added a negative one: “be not bitter against them.” This second advice suggests that offences and conflicts will occur in one’s marriage relationship. If the husband does not commit himself to love his wife passionately, bitterness will grow rapidly against her. Every Christian husband must see that he gives no room for bitterness to grow, or else harsh and severe dealings will result.

As a wife is bound to be submissive to her husband in spite of his many imperfections, so the husband is bound to love his wife, notwithstanding her shortcomings. A tender-hearted leadership will result in the resolving of many a conflict, while a bitter-spirited approach will provoke greater conflicts and hurts. Husbands are not to be tyrants, but tender-hearted lovers who lead their wives with God’s wisdom to be co-heirs of all of God’s blessings. “Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity” (Ecclesiastes 9:9a).

Christians should not expect the unbelieving world to be always friendly towards them. It will never be possible for them to avoid the hatred of the world. Jesus had categorically said to His disciples that the world would hate them – “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also” (John 15:18-20). When Jesus prayed for the believers, He said, “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14).

The adverse reaction from the unbelieving people is described by the word “hate”. The original Greek word for “hate”, miséō, implies an expression of hostility or ill will either in word or in conduct. The world’s hatred towards Christians will manifest both in verbal and physical assaults; unbelievers may unleash their unhappiness and fury against Christians any time. The apostle Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

John the apostle also reminds Christians about the world’s hatred in 1 John 3:13: “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” From time to time, the unregenerate people will express their dislike and intolerance of the Christian faith and practice. Their antagonistic behaviour should not surprise Christians at all. Christians should always anticipate and be prepared to face strong opposition and severe troubles from the unbelieving world.

Jesus said that hatred against Christians can come even from their closest of family members who are not yet saved. “And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 10:21-22). So the message is clear that Christians must always be prepared for harsh realities of hatred towards them, even from close quarters.

Jesus also said, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles” (Matthew 10:16–18). Even as the Lord cautioned Christians to be careful to do nothing malicious to provoke the hatred of the world, He also told them to be prepared for unsympathetic and aggressive actions from the world.

Reasons for the World’s Hatred

What reasons did Jesus give for the hatred of the world? Why does the world hate genuine and godly Christians, especially when they are only concerned about the salvation and well-being of the souls of men?

The first reason that Jesus gave in our text was that the world hated Him whom we follow. He said in John 15:18, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” The reason why the world turns against Christians is that it hates their Lord and King, Jesus Christ. So whoever that lives to serve Him will also be treated cruelly by the world.

This reason for the world’s resentment is restated by the Lord Jesus in John 15:20 that we may not forget it – “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” Herein is a confirmation of what Christ had spoken about being hated by the world. It is only reasonable to expect the world’s hatred for Christians when we are mindful that it hates their master, Christ, who is far more excellent than them. Just as they have been vicious in their attack of Christ, they will also act viciously against Christians. Just as they maliciously used Christ’s words against Him, they will also maliciously use the words of Christians against them.

The prince of the world, Satan, is the archenemy of Christ. Jesus said, “…the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me” (John 14:30). The satanic hostility towards Christ dominates the whole world, and that undergirds the world’s animosity towards Christians. Matthew Henry said, “If we should put it to the vote between Christ and Satan, Satan would out-poll us quite.”

The second reason that Jesus gave in our text was that Christians do not belong to the world. Jesus said, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:19). While Christians are in the world physically, they are not of the world spiritually because Christ has chosen them for Himself. They are not in the world to live for the world but for Christ. As far as their desires, choices and actions are concerned, they are led by Christ and/for His glory.

Genuine Christians appear dead to worldly passions and goals as Paul said in Galatians 6:14, “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.” Such an impassionate attitude towards the world makes Christians intolerable to the world. Moreover, the words and actions of Christians will be a rebuke to the world that lies in sin. They are exhorted to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11). Hence, the rest of the world finds Christians at odds with them, giving rise to their bitterness, dislike and hatred.

The third reason that Jesus gave in our text was that the world is ignorant of God, the Father. Jesus said in John 15:21, “But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.” Later in verse 23, He said, “He that hateth me hateth my Father also.”

As Jesus reminded the disciples that the fury of the world would rage against them, He also mentioned that it is because they do not know His Father who sent Him to call and save them for Himself. Just as the world’s hatred towards Christians is shown in its hatred towards Christ, it also proves its hatred for God who loves them through Christ. This is wilful ignorance; it is a conscious rejection of the truth of God in Christ, which is embraced by Christians. Such deliberate ignorance of God provokes the world to make war with Christ, His Father and His people.

When the world rejects the authenticity and authority of the Gospel of Christ, its disregard for God who authored and designed it becomes very apparent. Rejection of Christ is rejection of God. Hatred for Christ is hatred for God and this explains the world’s hatred for those whom God and Christ love. The world that hates God will hate His darlings who live in the world.

Sermon Text: Psalm 109:1–31
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 25th May 2025

READ:

Colossians 3:18

¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

EXHORTATION:

Nowhere else can we find the best counsels for family life other than in God’s Word. God, Creator of man and woman, has provided His perfect wisdom for His people to enjoy peace and happiness in their domestic life. Through the apostle Paul, the Lord has provided specific advice for Christians on how each family member ought to carry out his / her role in the home.

The God-given role of a Christian wife is mentioned first. The wife, who conscientiously carries out her responsibilities in her home, will be a woman of honour and praise in the eyes of her husband and children, as well as before all who are acquainted with her family. To her own daughters and many younger women in the church, she will be a pattern to emulate. Proverbs 31:28-29 declares in no uncertain terms, “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.”

The Christian wife’s duty is to be submissive to her own husband. The word “submit” denotes “to subject or be subordinate”. Her submissive conduct is demanded by the Lord because He has appointed the husband to be the “head” or the leader of the household. This divine command to the wives is repeated several times in the New Testament (see Ephesians 5:22; Titus 2:5; 1 Peter 3:1). This divine call to conduct themselves submissively is unambiguous, which should not be taken lightly. In Ephesians 5:24, Christian wives are exhorted thus: “Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.”

The submission of Christian wives to their husbands must be voluntary, for it is said, “Wives, submit yourselves”. When their hearts are engaged, submission to their own husbands will be a pleasure and honour. When wives joyfully submit to their husbands, they shall enjoy the satisfaction and joy that God has purposed for them in their home life.

As far as human relationship is concerned, a Christian woman’s first duty is to her husband, for wives are told to submit “unto your own husbands”. She is created and assigned by God to be her husband’s “help meet” (Genesis 2:18). Unfortunately, many Christian women respect and submit to their bosses more than their husbands, busily serving others’ businesses instead of their own homes. What is most fitting in the Lord is that every Christian wife submit joyfully and willingly to her husband.