Recent Posts

READ:

Colossians 3:16b

^16b Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.

EXHORTATION:

The songs that Christians sing must have marked difference from that of the world. Our music cannot be like the music of the world. While we sing unto the glory of God, the world sings to the pleasure of man. Most of the world’s music reflects the worldly thinking, passions and pursuits. The character of Christians’ songs and music must reflect the spiritual purposes for which the Lord has ordained singing in the church. Our songs should not be chosen for their entertainment value. We ought to sing not for sensory pleasure, but for mutual edification and for the glory of God.

Teaching and admonishing are two purposes of our songs and our singing. We ought to sing songs that provide Scriptural instructions for our souls. Our singing must be calculated to help us to grow in the knowledge of God’s Word. Though not everyone is called to the office of a pastor-teacher or preacher in the church, everyone is nevertheless exhorted to teach himself and one another through the singing of songs. How important it is then that we do not choose our songs merely for their pleasant tunes, but more importantly, for their sound biblical content! Through our singing, may the Word of Christ dwell in us richly with all wisdom.

Another purpose of our singing ought to be “admonishing”. This implies that we sing songs that will minister to each other’s moral and spiritual welfare. Our songs must be those that will urge and strengthen our resolve to live holy lives. So, it goes without saying that we must avoid songs that have a propensity for spiritual and moral corruption, or are of no particular spiritual and moral value.

Paul exhorts us to sing “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs”. “Psalms” refer to the book of Psalms and other psalms in the Old Testament. “Hymns” refer to songs or odes in honour of our God. Through hymns, we praise God for His greatness, His wonderful attributes, His truths, His mighty acts, etc. “Spiritual songs” refer to songs relating to spiritual things as opposed to carnal and worldly things. In spiritual songs, there will be testimonies of God’s goodness, prayers, spiritual encouragement, corrections, instructions, etc. May our songs and music always be sacred unto God’s glory and conducive to our growth in knowledge and holiness.

READ:

Colossians 3:16a

^16a Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.

EXHORTATION:

What is “the word of Christ”? It refers to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Christ is their Author and their subject matter. The Scriptures testify of Him. Jesus said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39).

So, when we listen to the words of the Bible, we are listening to Christ Himself. It should surprise no one that Christ has such titles as “the Word” (John 1:1, 14; 1 John 1:1-2; 5:7; Revelation 19:13), “the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24, 30; Colossians 2:3), and “the truth” (John 14:6). He was “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14); in fact, “grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17)!

We honour Christ by honouring the Scriptures which testify of Him and His will. So Paul exhorts us, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you”. His Word must not be like a guest, a visitor, an acquaintance or a stranger with whom we cherish no special, devout and abiding relationship. His Word must not be like a friend whom we seldom meet up with, but rather, His Word should be as a resident member of our family with whom we are in constant and loving communication.

Let the Word of God dwell in you. To be sure, it is not enough for God’s Word to be on your study-tables, in your bags, in your hands or in your digital communication devices. Rather, you must yield yourselves as sacred “dwellings” to be occupied by His Word. It should be allowed to control and direct your lives at all times.

We are exhorted not only to let the Word of Christ dwell in us, but also to let it dwell richly in all wisdom. It must be allowed to teach, rebuke, correct, instruct, comfort and guide us, so much so that all its wisdom may be seen pre-eminently in all aspects of our lives.

Simply put, no other “occupant” is allowed to remain in us unless it is in full agreement with this chief dweller. Any other human thought, idea, ambition or craving that is contrary to the Word of Christ must be expelled at once. All our thoughts are to be vetted and approved by its wisdom. All our ambitions must be made hallowed by its wisdom. The wisdom of Christ’s Word must guide us all day long, and all the days of our earthly life. Christ’s Word must fully occupy us always. Let its glorious wisdom illumine us within, so that its splendour might shine through us.

READ:

Psalm 19:13a

^13a Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me.

EXHORTATION:

This was a prayer that David, the king of Israel, made to God. In this prayer, he presented himself to God as “thy servant”. Though David was a mighty king on earth, he was never ashamed to think of himself as God’s servant. He acknowledged, at the height of his reign, that it was God who had placed him on the throne in order to do His will. So he humbly confessed before the Lord, “I am thy servant.”

In this real spirit of a true servant of God, the king sought God’s help to enable him to remain faithful and holy unto Him. Being God’s servant, he knew how culpable he would be if he were to sin against his God. So he detested displeasing God by trespassing His laws. His earnest desire and prayer in life was that he would not commit sin against his God.

In the preceding verse, he prayed, “… cleanse thou me from secret faults” (v. 12b). The “secret faults” refer to sins he had not yet recognised, and which remained hidden to him and others. Some sinful passions, thoughts and actions can be so ingrained in one’s way of life that one may fail to identify them as sins, which may furthermore remain hidden to all. Every servant of God, like David, would not like to see such secret sins remain in him, but that he would be purged of them all.

Then David also wanted God’s help to deal with what he called “presumptuous sins”. The word “presumptuous” translates a Hebrew word (zed) that literally means boiling, swelling or inflated. This Hebrew word has often been translated in the Bible as “pride”. So David was particularly referring to sins which proceed from self-confidence, selfreliance and self-exaltation. Such sins would inevitably lead to contempt of God’s majesty and glory. Rebellion and defiance of God’s holy will, instead of submission to service, would eventually characterise the one who commits presumptuous sins.

Unless God restrains us, our hearts will violently boil with a proud and insolent contempt of God. That is why David prayed that God would keep him back from presumptuous sins and not let them have dominion over His servant. Only divine power can restrain such loathsome sins from overpowering us. So, let us earnestly pray that God would prevent sin from dominating and ruining our lives of service unto Him.

READ:

Psalm 119:11

¹¹ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

EXHORTATION:

This confession of David to the LORD reveals to us that he was very conscious of the possibility of being overpowered by temptation of sin. Temptation of sin is a terrible evil that lurks around every man to seek to destroy his testimony, peace and spiritual well-being. There is also a propensity in man to fall into this evil. So David sought for an effective precaution against sin. It was a very wise act by David to safeguard himself against sin. What a good desire it was to fight off sin! Sin will weaken and degrade every man. Sin will ruin his nature and destroy his happiness. We are all in danger of falling into it, especially if left to ourselves, and to our own ideas, inclinations and desires. We need to be ever on our guard. We must always be vigilant and pray for the Lord’s help to safeguard ourselves against sin’s assault.

David had found for himself an excellent precaution against sin in the Word of God. By its very nature, the Word of God is a counter-remedy against sin. Because it is God’s revelation of His truth and wisdom, it promotes holiness and prevents sin. It is the source of everything good and holy, which equips us to stand against sin.

Like David, we must hide God’s Word in our hearts. Having a copy of the Bible or occasionally listening to its preaching is not enough. We must lay it upon our hearts. It must be allowed to cast its light upon our desires, passions, motives and ambitions. If we give it the most prominent place in our hearts, it will teach us what is holy and acceptable to God, and thus will fortify our resolve against every sin.

God’s Word hidden in our hearts will alert us to sins’ stealthy invasions. If we know God’s Word well, we will be able to recognise those things that God abhors and detests. It will not only reveal what God’s will concerning us is, but will also expose the presence of sin. In fact, it will warn us before sin starts its assault. It will sound the alarm before sin intrudes into our life – so we will have enough time to resist and thwart its attack. It will also teach us how to avoid sin and escape before it strikes. It will point us to the “secret” door of escape through which we may flee and be safe. God’s Word will also strengthen our resolve in times of sin’s threats. So, let us hide God’s Word in our hearts like a sword in its sheath, ready to be drawn out at a moment’s notice to fight off sin’s attacks!

Sermon Text: Psalm 108:1–13
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 18th May 2025

(Edited excerpts from the message preached during last Tuesday night’s Prayer Meeting)

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14). 

Although not structured as a formal prayer, Galatians 6:14 conveys the apostle Paul’s deep godly aspiration and resolve out of a heart wholly submitted to God for the exaltation of Christ alone. Paul’s words in this verse contain several traits of genuine prayer: (i) they exhibit a worshipful resolve, (ii) they express the spirit of devotion, even a cry of deep allegiance to the cross of Christ and a forsaking of worldly and self glory, and (iii) they exemplify a heart dedicated singularly to the holy aspiration of magnifying Christ above all else.

A Prayer of Surrendered Boasting

“But God forbid that I should glory...”

Paul’s language (“God forbid”) is strong. “God forbid” translates a Greek phrase of strong rejection – “May it never be!” He was expressing a strong prayerful wish that it would never be found in him to boast in anything that exalts self. He desired to be stripped of every inclination to seek honour from his righteousness, success, or possessions. He wanted any desire or expectation of human praise out of his mind. His prayerful ambition was that he would be delivered from self-exaltation and spiritual pride. 

In the context of this verse, Paul exposed the motives of the Judaizers, teachers who insisted that Gentile believers must be circumcised and observe the ceremonial laws to be fully accepted by God. Paul argued that they did so to avoid persecution and to boast in the outward conformity of their converts. Their focus was on external religion, not inner transformation. The false teachers boasted in the flesh – in outward marks of religiosity, such as circumcision.

We must be aware of our potential to succumb to subtle arrogance that can cause us to boast in our religious rites, roles, titles, performance, etc. So, like the apostle Paul, we must seek God’s help to cast down every trophy of flesh. A believer’s prayer must echo this rejection: a heart emptied of self, so it may be filled with Christ. 

“O Lord, forbid that I should glory in anything of myself, my intellect, my beauty, my success, or my religious heritage. Let all boasting be silent before the weight of Thy glory.”

A Prayer Anchored in the Cross

“... save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ …”

Paul’s prayer was that his soul would glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ alone – not just the wooden beam on which He was hung, but all that it means: the perfect atoning sacrifice Christ made for the forgiveness and justification of sinful, guilty, and condemned humanity. The cross was the symbol of God’s merciful provision for the removal of His wrath against us, that we may be eternally reconciled to God and be heirs of all His promised blessings, including heaven. The cross is not merely the entry point of salvation; it is the daily triumph and glory of the believer in all that God has provided for us through Christ (cf. Romans 8:32). 

This prayer acknowledges the centrality of the cross as the believer’s sole claim before God. Paul utterly rejected any grounds for boasting in himself, his achievements, or religious observances (like circumcision, which he has discussed earlier in the Book of Galatians). The cross is the heart of a Christian’s theology, ethics, worship, ministry and life. The desire and prayer of a Christian’s life and ministry ought to be enjoying and fulfilling the purposes for which Christ died on the cross.

So let us pray, “Lord, teach me to live under the shadow of the cross. In all duties and experiences of my life as a Christian, may I humbly live for the cross of Christ, and not for the honour of self and the world. May the cross be my identity, my song, my hope, and my anchor.”

A Prayer to be Separated from the World

 “... by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” 

To say that “the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world”, is to declare that the world’s allure is dead and powerless to oneself. The world, in its rebellion against God, promotes self-exaltation and glory, so the believer ought to see through its dreadful spiritual state, and pray to God for maintaining a separation from it.  

Paul sees not only the world as dead to him, but also himself as dead to it. This is a two-way crucifixion! Like Paul, every Christian should consider the world to be crucified through Christ. The believer, living by Christ, has a new identity in the world. He is no longer a worldly citizen, but a citizen of heaven on earth. His loyalty is no longer to this world, but to Christ. He lives not for earthly gain, but for divine purposes in Christ. Because of our admiration for Christ, the world should grow dim in our minds. Its pleasures should lose their sweetness, its ambitions their shine, and its applause its value. 

Let us pray, “Lord, make me dead to the systems and values of this fallen world. Help me to detach myself from its pride, its lusts, its carnal passions. Guard me from loving what Thou hast taught us to hate in this world. May I be quick to sever the cords that tie my heart to worldly prestige, fleshly desires, and selfish ambition. Let Thy cross separate my soul from this present evil world, that I may always live for Thy glory.”

READ:

Ephesians 4:30

³⁰ And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

EXHORTATION:

Christians are exhorted here not to act in a way that would cause the Holy Spirit to be sorrowful. The word “grief” denotes pain or sadness felt in the heart of someone who deeply loves another. This is a reminder that we should always seek to please the Holy Spirit, who so affectionately and assiduously works in us.

The apostle Paul has mentioned the Holy Spirit about a dozen times in his epistle to the Ephesians, in connection with what He does for Christians. The Spirit of God has been at work within us to impart spiritual life, and to sanctify, strengthen, secure us for the Lord. By the Spirit, we are sealed unto the day of redemption (1:13; 4:30). He is “the spirit of wisdom and revelation” that gives us the knowledge of the Lord (1:17; 3:5). It is by the Spirit that we have access unto the Father through Jesus Christ (2:18). Through the Spirit, believers are built “together for an habitation of God” (2:22). We are strengthened with might in the inner man by His Spirit (3:16). The Holy Spirit helps us to keep the unity of the church in the bond of peace (4:3, 4). He fills us that we may sing and give thanks unto the Lord (5:18ff). He equips us with the Sword of the Spirit (6:17), and aids us in our prayers (6:18). When the Holy Spirit does all these and so much more to guide, empower and preserve us, how can we grieve Him?

Let us be cautious of our conduct lest we grieve and pain the blessed Spirit of God who dwells within us. An attitude of ingratitude and sin certainly would sadden Him. Paul had already warned in this epistle against theft, falsehood, anger, unwholesome words, etc. Our open and gross sins will grieve the Holy Spirit. Our carnal thoughts and desires will grieve Him. The Spirit of God is pure, ever working to create within us virtuous passions and goals. So, how can we expect Him to dwell in our soul if it is filled with desires and thoughts that are abominable to Him?

The words of Paul remind us of the prophet Isaiah’s words, “But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit” (Isaiah 63:10). Let us not vex the Holy Spirit if we are genuinely thankful that He has “sealed” us for the final “day of redemption”. To seal the soul unto the day of redemption is to make our salvation sure. The only appropriate conduct in view of all that the Holy Spirit does for us is that we yield ourselves to please Him.

READ:

Ephesians 4:29b

^29b But that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

EXHORTATION:

Immediately after prohibiting corrupt communication, Paul encourages good speech. He advises Christians to see that their words are wellchosen, to the extent that they edify others. The conversation of Christians should be honourable and beneficial, so that it edifies, rather than harms or destroys others.

Speech is a special gift from God. We must use it as His Word directs us. Here we are exhorted to use it for edifying one another. The Greek word that Paul used for “edifying” (oikodómēsis) denotes the act of building a house. In Paul’s epistles, it is used to indicate spiritual nurture or advancement.

We must, through our speech, seek to build one another up. We must speak so as to do good to others. By relating our testimony of salvation and sharing the Gospel of Christ with the unsaved, we can point some souls to Christ our Saviour. Through friendly discussions, we can impart God’s truths to the young or less mature in faith, that they may grow in the knowledge of God’s Word. We can comfort those who are weary and sad with God’s promises. We can prevent some from going astray by providing timely and wise advice. We can correct and restore those who have erred in their ways by admonishing them in love.

There is a great need for us to engage in godly conversation that will bring edification to one another. Merely refraining from corrupt speech is not good enough. Great spiritual disaster will come upon our church, friends and family members, if we choose not to speak when there is a need to do so. Where there is a lack of godly conversation, the unhindered growth of spiritual maladies will take root and fester.

We must speak with wisdom and grace to impart spiritual blessings and protection to others. May our words provide spiritual benefits. As Paul said, we must strive to “minister grace unto the hearers.” Proverbs 25:11 tells us, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Appropriate words spoken at the right time in the best manner are beautiful and precious, indeed. Let us remember that our words have power, either for good or evil. Let us, therefore, speak in such a way that will build up our hearers, and not tear them down.

READ:

Ephesians 4:29a

^29a Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth.

EXHORTATION:

This is a prohibition against bad speech. The Greek word for “corrupt” denotes that which is putrid, rotten and hence corrupting, defiling and injurious. Jesus said in Matthew 15:18, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.”

Corrupt communication includes many kinds of bad speech, such as bad language, vulgar and profane exclamations, foolish talking, filthy conversation, unprofitable remarks, profane oaths, lies, false witnessing, angry utterances, provocative words, demeaning statements, hurtful words, curses, threatening, abusive language, ridicule, gossips, slandering, false accusations, proud and arrogant expressions, boasting, flattery, misleading advice, false teaching, unwholesome and filthy songs, etc.

Corrupt communication can easily occur; it is a common malady even in churches and among Christians. Not only do new Christians fall prey to it, even believers who are well advanced in sanctification have been overtaken by the sin of evil communication. We must always be watchful against falling into this unsavoury conduct. Since our bad speech is an expression of our defiled thoughts and feelings, we must strive to cleanse our hearts and minds constantly, and to keep them from being defiled again.

It is also important that we avoid the company of men and women who engage in evil communication. Those who spend time communing with people who are unguarded in their speech will soon be like them. Those who read unwholesome materials or entertain themselves with profane shows will easily learn their bad language and mannerism. 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns us, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”

Godly men will be cautious of what they say. They will pray to God to help them guard their speech. If we learn to control our tongue, we can avoid many embarrassing situations. We can also avoid many quarrels, as well as the poisoning and even severing of friendships. Let us make David’s prayer in Psalm 19:14 ours as well: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”

READ:

Ephesians 4:28b

^28b But rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

EXHORTATION:

A Christian should never pursue any dishonest means of material gain, such as through stealing. He is advised to “labour, working with his hands”. The thief must stop stealing and begin to put in some hard, honest labour. The Greek word for “labour” (kopiáō) denotes toil or engaging in hard work to the point of exhaustion. Paul used this word in connection with “working with his hands”. Christians should prefer hard, manual labour to stealing. The apostle Paul, when he was without any financial assistance, had given himself to hard labour, working with his hands to support the Gospel work (1 Corinthians 4:12). According to Acts 18:3, when he was in Corinth, he supported himself by working as a tentmaker, together with Aquila. In Acts 20:34, referring to his time in Ephesus, he further said “that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.” Without question, he worked hard to support himself and those in need.

Whether it was in a secular profession or in the ministry, Paul was assiduous and hardworking. In 1 Corinthians 15:4, he said, “but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” In 1 Thessalonians 2:9, Paul wrote, “For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.” Like Paul, we must dedicate our hands, our minds and our strength to undertaking and accomplishing tasks that are good, instead of doing that which is bad, contrary to God’s law. We must not be slothful or lazy in our work. We must not detest hard work. Christians must always be industrious people. Whether it is at workplace, at home, or in church, let us be diligent to put our hands to useful and profitable things.

A commitment to hard work will not only help us to cease from dishonest and evil activities (such as stealing), but will also provide us with means to earn a living for ourselves and to help others in need. The Bible teaches us to be eager to help others who are in need. Paul was a tender-hearted, generous person who took lead in helping others (Acts 24:17; Romans 15:26; 1 Corinthians 16:1-9). As he wrote in Galatians 6:10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”