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READ:

Psalm 23:2

² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

EXHORTATION:

The LORD is depicted in Psalm 23 as the Shepherd of His people. Like the shepherd who leads the flock to green pastures and still waters, the LORD leads His people gently to all that nourish and refresh their souls. He is their ever-willing, never-failing Shepherd. He not only knows their needs, but also adequately and appropriately provides for them. This is why the psalmist assuredly said, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).

The psalmist’s delight in the personal attention that he received from the LORD, his Shepherd, is very evident throughout this psalm. The continual use of the personal pronouns “I”, “me” and “my” in this psalm denotes the joy of the psalmist in the personal relationship he enjoyed with the LORD. He was constantly under the loving care of his Shepherd.

The first picture of the shepherd making his sheep “to lie down in green pastures” is indicative of the contentment and repose that the LORD provides for His people. The Hebrew words for “green pastures” can mean “pastures of young grass”. The Hebrew word translated “green” (deshe) refers to new shoots of grass, which the sheep love to feed on. Sheep which are fully fed will lie down on the grass in contentment. Likewise, the LORD’s people who are fed by Him shall always enjoy calm contentment in their souls.

The second picture of the shepherd leading the sheep “beside the still waters” is yet another description of the LORD’s tender care for His people. Normally, the sheep is wary of rapid torrents. The rushing water and its noise frighten the sheep; so it would shrink from drinking of it. Only from quiet bodies of water will the sheep feel comfortable to drink. Thus, the shepherd will have to find some quiet and gentle flowing stream for the sheep to quench its thirst. He pays attention to the sufficient and suitable supply for the needs of the sheep.

The LORD will take care of all His children with a perfect supply for their needs. The supply of His grace will provide for all their needs, both spiritual and material. But are we grateful to the LORD for His gracious provisions and leading? Should we not exalt Him with our testimonies of His goodness, as David did in this psalm?

READ:

Psalm 3:8

⁸ Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

EXHORTATION:

David knew that his deliverance from those who sought to destroy him was entirely in the hand of the LORD. Neither he nor his friends had the power to deliver him from his enemies. Though he saw no scope of deliverance by his or his friend’s efforts, he was confident about the LORD’s power and wisdom to save him from all his troubles.

God’s people have repeatedly been warned that nothing that they put their trust in – except the LORD – shall have the power to deliver them. For instance, Psalm 33:17 teaches His people that “An horse is a vain thing for safety”. Proverbs 21:31 reminds them, “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.” Psalm 147:10 also instructs them that the LORD “delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.” Israel’s great victories over their powerful enemies did not come by their military strength, but by the LORD’s providential interventions. The LORD delivered Israel from Pharaoh’s powerful Egyptian army by opening a path through the Red Sea. He miraculously brought down the wall of Jericho to give victory to Israel, that they may possess it as their promised land. Often, God saved His people by His quiet, unseen yet devastating actions against their enemies.

Even David, when he went against the Philistine giant, Goliath, announced to him, “And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:47). Hence in Psalm 20:7, David also confessed, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”

The deliverance and protection of His people stem wholly from the LORD alone. Psalm 37:39-40 reiterates this very assuring truth when it declares, “But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.” The LORD should always be trusted and praised for saving us from all our distresses. Psalm 68:20 declares, “He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.” Let us not fear our adversaries or adversities, for God will give us wisdom and strength to lead us safely at all times for His own glory.

READ:

Psalm 3:5

⁵ I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

EXHORTATION:

King David was in a time of great distress of heart when he wrote Psalm 3. He was being pursued by his rebellious son, Absalom. He was driven from his throne, his palace and his city. He was forced to roam as a fugitive with a few loyal friends. As the battle raged, he became weary in his body and heart. The nights were extremely dangerous for him out in the open. Any evil could have happened to him in the dark of the night, especially as his ferocious enemies were hot on his heels. However, David trusted the LORD’s protection and cast all his burdens upon the LORD when he prepared to lay himself down to rest in the night. He prayed, “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah” (Psalm 3:3-4).

David, though full of trouble and fatigue, decided to lie down to sleep. He was unlike many who lose sleep over their troubles. Like a child in the arms of his mother, he leaned on the LORD’s arm and slept. As Scripture says, the LORD “giveth his beloved sleep” (Psalm 127:2). David trusted the Keeper of Israel, who “neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4), to preserve his life. Notwithstanding all the dangers and troubles that beset him, David slept quietly and securely.

Though the night was filled with danger, the LORD granted David safety through the night. So when he awoke from his sleep, he said, “I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.” He woke up in the strength of the LORD, with his fatigue gone, and was “recharged” to fight his battle.

When we go to sleep or when we awake from sleep, we must, like David, commit ourselves to the LORD in faith and thanksgiving. We have no power to awake ourselves. Sleep has been referred to as “death’s twin sister”. We hear of many who laid down to sleep in the night but awoke no more; they died in their sleep. Oh, how we ought to be thankful to the LORD when we rise from the bed of repose! May our first waking thought be one of gratitude to our Lord who has sustained us through the night.

Let us daily acknowledge the LORD as our great Preserver. It is the LORD who sustains us when we quietly fall into death-like deep sleep. He keeps us from all dangers and also preserves us from death. The LORD has kept us alive today to praise Him.

READ:

Romans 15:33

³³ Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

EXHORTATION:

Our God is the “God of peace”. Earlier in this epistle, He has already been revealed to us as the God of patience (Romans 15:5), and the God of hope (Romans 15:13). Here and once again in Romans 16:20, He is described as the “God of peace”. Through such names in His Word, God has revealed unto us who He is. The names of God in the Bible are the personal disclosures of His person and perfections. They also reveal various aspects of His relationship with His people. By the designation, “God of peace”, He reveals Himself to us as the author, giver and lover of peace.

In Romans 3:17, the apostle Paul said concerning fallen, sin-plagued mankind, that “the way of peace have they not known”. Man has been utterly ignorant of true peace and the way to obtain it. So, how wonderful it is then that the LORD has revealed Himself to us as the “God of peace” and welcomed us to His perfect peace!

He has declared unto us “the gospel of peace” (Romans 10:15; cf. Ephesians 6:15; Acts 10:36), that “being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). In Romans 5:10, we read: “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (cf. Colossians 1:21-22). By faith in Christ who died for us, we are no more at war with God, but heirs of His kingdom of peace. Oh, what a blessing it is that God has called us, through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, out of our wicked ways to walk according to His godly ways! “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).

Moreover, the “God of peace”, who has called us into His kingdom, wants us to enjoy and promote peace, particularly in the church. No schism is to be brought into the church, whether it be caused by racial or cultural or dietary or any such differences. “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17). In his epistle to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul said, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:33). As God’s people rejoice in the peace that they have inherited in Christ and promote peace in the church, the apostle fervently prayed that the “God of peace” will be with them. God’s presence will sanctify us and show us the way of peace.

Some argue that the thief on the cross was saved without showing acts of faith, using him as proof that salvation requires nothing more than a mental assent, a mere passive belief. Certain streams of “free grace” theology stress that salvation requires only a mental act of trust in Christ, with no necessary evidence in repentance or transformation. 

It is true that those on their deathbed who turn to Christ, may only faintly express their faith and yet be truly saved. But it is not biblically correct to conclude from this, that salvation by grace requires neither repentance nor genuine acts of faith. Those antinomian teachers (also known as “easy-belief teachers”, “grace-without-fruit voices”, etc.) often appeal to the thief’s conversion as proof that salvation requires nothing more than a momentary act of belief. According to them, repentance, transformation, or any evidence of faith is unnecessary. 

Yet, the Gospel account of the repentant thief on the cross (Luke 23:39–43), when carefully read, reveals that the thief’s salvation was not received without repentance and the fruits of faith. Several clear pieces of evidence emerge from his words and attitude, showing the reality of God’s saving work in his heart.

1. A Change of Heart Towards Sin: At first, both thieves reviled Jesus (Matt. 27:44; Mark 15:32). But one thief was transformed. He stopped railing against Christ, and instead rebuked the other criminal: “Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?” (Luke 23:40). This shows repentance—a recognition of sin’s seriousness before a holy God.
2. Acknowledgment of Guilt and Justice: He confessed, “And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds” (Luke 23:41a). True conversion always involves owning one’s guilt, not excusing it. He admitted he deserved the punishment, revealing humility and honesty before God.
3. Recognition of Christ’s Innocence: He declared, “but this man hath done nothing amiss” (Luke 23:41b). Unlike the crowd and rulers, he recognised that Jesus was not a sinner, but the spotless Lamb of God. True conversion discerns the holiness and uniqueness of Christ.
4. Faith in Christ’s Lordship and Kingdom: He turned to Jesus, saying, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom” (Luke 23:42). Though Jesus was dying in weakness, he believed Christ was indeed King with a coming kingdom. This shows remarkable faith, firmly looking beyond Christ’s cross to His reign.
5. A Personal Appeal for Mercy: He didn’t ask to be spared from death or suffering, but simply cried out, “remember me”. This is the cry of genuine faith, casting oneself upon Christ’s mercy alone, without works, ceremony, or delay
6. Submission to Christ’s Authority: By calling Jesus, “Lord” (Luke 23:42), he acknowledged Christ’s authority. He was ready to yield himself entirely to Christ’s rule. True conversion bows to Jesus as both Saviour and Lord.
7. Immediate Assurance from Christ: Jesus responded, “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). This shows that the thief’s faith was genuine, for Christ never gave false assurance. The converted sinner received the promise of eternal life.

Sermon Text: Psalm 119:49–64
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 28th September 2025

READ:

Romans 15:32

³² That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

EXHORTATION:

This was one of the several personal requests that Paul made to the believers in Rome for their prayer. He appealed to them for prayer (vv. 30-32). Though he was a man of great faith, abundant wisdom, astounding courage and extraordinary success in his Gospel endeavours, he constantly solicited prayers of fellow brethren (Ephesians 6:18-19; Philippians 1:19; Colossians 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1- 2; Philemon 1:22; Hebrews 13:18-19). Paul was acutely aware of his needs and weaknesses, and humbly sought the co-operation of his brethren to fulfil his desires in the LORD. Like a thriving businessman dependent on those around him, the apostle in his increasing “business” for the Lord sought the prayers of fellow Christians.

Paul asked them to pray for his upcoming ministry in Jerusalem, where there were many hostile unbelievers who could cause him serious harm. So he would have them to pray for his deliverance from the violence of the hostile unbelievers, and for his service to be accepted by the saints in Jerusalem. He then desired the earnest prayers of the believers in Rome concerning his plan to visit them. Even as he yearned to have the joy of seeing them and of being refreshed by their fellowship, he knew there were many obstacles that could impede his intended journey to Rome.

To God’s servants like Paul, nothing is more reviving and refreshing to their hearts than the loving presence and communion of God’s people. How we ought to pray that we will be used of the Lord to minister joy and comfort to His servants who labour in His vineyard! We should not only pray for safety and success in their ministries, but also for us to be a means of spiritual and physical refreshing to His faithful servants. There is no better way to show our brotherhood and solidarity with the ministers of the Gospel than our prayerful availability and refreshing fellowship.

Though Paul desired the joy and comfort of their fellowship, he remained submissive to God’s sovereign will. So he asked them to pray that he “may come … by the will of God”. He trusted in the wise disposing of God’s providence. For Paul, God’s will mattered more than his own desires. He only finally arrived in Rome as a prisoner for the Gospel to testify before Caesar (cf. Acts 21:17-28:16; Philippians 1:12, 13; 4:22). Truly, man proposes, God disposes! God’s greater purposes must prevail in and through us.

READ:

Romans 15:11

¹¹ And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.

EXHORTATION:

Paul was particularly mindful of his special calling as “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13), and hence his joy in seeing thousands and thousands of Gentiles turning from idols to worship the living and true God through the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:9). He rejoiced that God had shown such great mercy towards the Gentiles and received them into His kingdom. He wanted the believing Jews also to rejoice in the salvation of Gentiles and receive them into the church to worship God together with them.

So Paul said in verses 8-9, “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.” Though Jesus Christ was “a minister of the circumcision” (i.e. being born a Jew according to the promises of God to the forefathers of the Jews and ministered among the Jews), His atoning death benefited not only the Jews but also the Gentiles. Paul then reasoned that the Old Testament Scriptures pointed out that God had always planned to call the Gentiles unto the worship of God. The apostle did so by referring to four Old Testament portions: Psalm 18:49 in verse 9, Deuteronomy 32:43 in verse 10, Psalm 117:1 in verse 11, and Isaiah 11:1, 10 in verse 12. All of those verses show that it was God’s design that the Gentiles should join the Jews to worship God.

The verse for our meditation cites Psalm 117:1, where the Gentiles are beckoned twice to praise the LORD. The word “laud” means praise. All people, both Jews and Gentiles, must gather to praise the LORD. He is worthy of the praise of all the peoples of the world. There is no other Saviour for man (whether Jew or Gentile) to be saved from his sins so that he may be reconciled to God.

The blessing of salvation comes with the responsibility of glorifying God among all people. We must declare His Gospel so that people from all nations, tribes and languages may call on His name and praise Him. Let us therefore serve the Lord, with the prayer “That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee” (Psalm 67:2-3).

READ:

Romans 15:7

⁷ Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

EXHORTATION:

In the early churches, disagreement and disputes did arise for varying reasons. Tensions were caused by Jewish and Gentile differences in matters such as dietary practices and other ceremonial observances. With the growth of Christianity, problems inevitably also increased. Unpleasant disturbances did arise in the life of the early church from time to time. It was not easy to get every new believer to understand and cast aside the errors of his traditions and habits. So often the apostles had to deal with discord and strife, even as they pressed forward with the preaching of the Gospel near and far.

When the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome, he was very concerned about the peace and unity of their fellowship. He would have all believers show mutual love and care. He wanted the brethren to please one another instead of staying aloof and distant from one another.

Christians must be warm and friendly. We must interact with people in the church with a welcoming, approving disposition. Warm-hearted treatment of others will help us quell any anxiety, suspicion or even resentment. Though trivial differences can at times estrange us from one another, let us not become hostile and unfriendly. Let us be conciliatory and seek to resolve matters with the guidance and help of fellow brethren, if necessary.

Our mutual acceptance must be pivoted on our adoration and emulation of Christ, our blessed Saviour and Lord. The exhortation is that we receive one another “as Christ also received us to the glory of God”. Our treatment of others is to resemble Christ’s behaviour towards us. Christ’s tender affection towards us must be the pattern, motivation and inspiration for our conduct towards one another. When we feel rather uncertain about being friendly to someone, let us consider how our Lord has first shown mercy and love towards us.

Christ has accepted us freely and heartily, though we were once hostile and guilty. He welcomed us right away into all His glorious inheritance and has made us joint-heirs with Him. So let us deal with others kindly, with a willingness to forgive and overlook their infirmities and offences. May we always be ready to show Christ-like receptiveness to fellow believers.

READ:

Romans 15:2

² Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

EXHORTATION:

No Christian is exempted from the exhortation given in this verse. Every Christian is urged to “please his neighbour”. In the light of the context of this verse, the word “neighbour” denotes a fellow church member or a Christian brother. To “please” another is to conduct oneself in a polite or courteous manner towards another.

Many biblical admonitions, if carefully implemented, will enable us to be “pleasing” towards one another. Some of such admonitions are briefly enumerated below:

• We must greet one another, showing respect and love. 1 Corinthians 16:20 says, “Greet ye one another with an holy kiss” (cf. Romans 16:16; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14).
• We must be kind-hearted to all, showing love and compassion. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love” (Romans 12:10; cf. John 13:34).
• We must show respect to all, even to those who are younger and immature, as we are admonished: “in honour preferring one another” (Romans 12:10; cf. Philippians 2:3; 1 Peter 5:5).
• We must be welcoming to others in the church. Romans 15:7 urges us, “Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God” (cf. Romans 14:1-3; Matthew 10:40).
• We must be helpful and caring towards one another, even to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2; cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:14).
• We must be patient towards others. Ephesians 4:2 instructs us, “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” (cf. Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13).
• We must “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24).
• We must encourage and edify one another. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do” (cf. Romans 14:19; Ephesians 4:16, 29; 1 Thessalonians 4:18).

In a word, it is for the expressed purpose of edification that we ought to “please” one another.