Recent Posts

READ:

Philippians 4:20

²⁰ Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

EXHORTATION:

This is one of the many doxologies in the Bible. A doxology is an utterance or a short hymn of praise to God. The word “doxology” comes from the Greek words, doxa (“glory, grandeur”) and logos (“word, speaking”).

Giving glory to God is the believers’ greatest duty on earth. It is their natural inclination to ascribe to God the glory (i.e. the honour and praise) due unto Him. Glory is due unto our God. His people are repeatedly exhorted in the Scriptures to be mindful of this chief end. “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness” (1 Chronicles 16:29; Psalm 29:2). Similarly, “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts” (Psalm 96:8).

Observe the apostle Paul’s utterance, “God and our Father”. In the previous verse, he had said, “my God shall supply all your need”. Paul was speaking assuredly of God’s gracious provision for all his needs and those of the believers. Here he calls all believers to join him to give glory to God by referring to Him as “God and our Father”. We must, like Paul, urge one another to gather together in the church to praise God as His children. How wonderful it is to glorify God as our Father!

God is our Father in Christ Jesus. Jesus taught us to pray and glorify Him, saying, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9). We must praise our God because “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him” (Psalm 103:13). We should never regard Him as a despotic ruler of the universe. He is no tyrant, but a kind and loving Father to all His people. As a father is concerned for his children, so is God concerned for all the believers. He will supply all our need “according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Therefore, to God our Father, be glory for ever and ever!

May it never be said of us that we have not returned to give glory to God our Father. Let us be God’s thankful and worshipful people always. One activity of God’s people here on earth that will continue into eternity, even after their life on earth is over, is their giving of praise unto God. All His redeemed and the angels shall praise Him in His celestial glory for ever. God is to be praised for ever. “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen” (Romans 11:36).

READ:

Philippians 4:19

¹⁹ But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

EXHORTATION:

Being thankful for the love and concern expressed by the brethren in the Philippian church through their financial support, Paul was moved to utter these words. Just as the brethren were concerned for Paul’s well-being, he was also concerned about theirs. He knew that they showed generosity towards him not because they themselves were free from financial needs. Paul could do little to help them on his own, but he prayed that God would provide for all their needs. Essentially, he was saying, “Brethren, I am unable to return your kindness, but I pray that my God will supply all your need just as He has supplied my want through you.”

The expression “my God” conveys Paul’s confidence in God as his unfailing Provider in all of his life’s needs. God was his most benevolent benefactor. The sentiment conveyed here by Paul is very much like that of David who said, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Because God has been wholly in charge of all of his life’s needs, he is also assured that God will attend to the needs of his fellow Christians at Philippi.

Paul’s words, “my God shall supply all your need”, exalt God as the most merciful and faithful Provider of all His people. God’s ability and willingness to supply all our need, as well as His commitment to do so as our covenant God, are conceived in Paul’s words. God undertakes to meet all our needs. Yes, our needs (both temporal and spiritual) are many, but the extent of His supply is “according to his riches in glory”. God gives unto His children, not as a poor man who struggles to provide in the face of scarcity, nor as a rich man who gives grudgingly. He supplies according to His boundless riches in glory. He will look after us till we get to the glorious celestial home which He has prepared for us.

How inadequate words are in describing the riches of God! The grandeur of His supply is conspicuous throughout the universe – in the light of the sun, in the starry sky, in the flowers of the field, in the birds of the sky, in all things both seen and unseen. “The whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3). It is God’s inexhaustible supply that is promised to us which will be channelled to us by Christ Jesus. Christ is the guarantee of the divine supply. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).

Dns Diana Chan

Glory be to the Holy One of Israel, our Redeemer! I thank God for His grace, mercy and strength in enabling me to join the Bible Witness Israel Bible Study Tour 2023. The main reason for me joining the tour is that I would like to visit Gethsemane BPC, Ethiopia, which was our transit point on our way to Israel.

When we were in Ethiopia, it was a joy to meet Rev Ephrem, Pr Engida, and the other preachers and their family members, as well as several of the church brethren! It was so heart-warming to see how the brethren were so formally attired, so cheerful and ready to receive us in the church in Alem Gena. I praise God that both the brethren from Ethiopia and Singapore could congregate for fellowship and worship led by Pastor Ephrem. Pastor Koshy preached the Word of God in that meeting. Pr Cornelius led our Church Choir members in the team to give a song presentation. 

Thank God also for the Christian hospitality of the Ethiopian brethren who hosted us to a lovely lunch.

I thank God for Pastor and Dn Lok for their labour in planning and organising the tour, even having to make ad-hoc changes during our journey. Thank God for His grace, good health and protection throughout the trip. Praise God for the unity, encouragement and care for one another. It was encouraging to see the stronger adults helping and supporting our senior brethren, especially in manoeuvring difficult terrain and steps. Special mention must be made of the young adults who constantly availed themselves, ever ready to provide additional help. 

Praise the Lord for the lessons learnt from GBI on the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah, Haggai and Zechariah, as well as 1 Samuel. Biblical history was brought to life as we journeyed through the land of the Old and New Testaments. The various sites, such as the wilderness of Judea, Ziph, and Gibeah, brought to mind how David and his six hundred men had to flee from King Saul and his three thousand soldiers in the wilderness, desert, hills and caves. Praise God for preserving His servant, David, and his loyal men. Indeed, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

Almost every morning, before embarking on the journey, we would assemble in quietude in a room. Pastor would lead us in singing, devotion and prayer, and remind us to focus our minds on God in the Bible Study tour. I also thank God for the culminating point at the end of our tour, which was our worship in the chapel at the Garden Tomb. We had Holy Communion, in remembrance of God’s plan of salvation for mankind through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, for our sins. May the remembrance of the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to spur us to love the Lord, trust in Him and serve Him.

To God be the glory, great things He had done!

Abigail Koshy

I really thank God for a wonderful time in Israel as part of the Bible Witness Israel Bible Study Tour 2023. It was a blessed eight days in the Promised Land, tracing biblical events in God’s promised land for Israel. Visiting the Promised Land has always been my earnest desire, and I am thankful to the Lord for the answered prayer to go as a family this year. God has provided for all our needs along the way, and given us the strength to carry the little ones in all our travels. Praise the Lord for endurance, safety and good health. Each day was fast-paced and filled with many places to see – from Joppa (near Tel Aviv) to the Sea of Galilee and the surrounding towns where Jesus had ministered. Enroute to Jerusalem, we crossed through the Judean wilderness (present-day West Bank), walked through the old city and the city of David, and visited significant sites around the Dead Sea. 

The Bible indeed comes alive! Most places we visited were archaeological excavations of biblical cities, and various locations of biblical events. I was struck by the beauty of the land: the olive trees and palm dates, vast lakes and bountiful springs, as well as the rolling wilderness and arid weather. I loved its topography: vast hills and valleys, deserts, plains, lakes and seas – places which our Saviour trod and travelled across during His earthly ministry. Above all the sights, most of which are overrun by sheer idolatry and vendors seeking the tourist dollar, one thing stands out clear to all who believe in the Truth: “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life” (1 John 5:20).

Finally, I thank God for our very knowledgeable Jewish tour guide who, along with Pastor’s daily devotions, made the trip an in-depth Bible Study in a moving “classroom”. May our continual prayer be: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces” (Psalm 122:6-7).

Pr Cornelius Koshy

I thank God for the grand opportunity to go through Ethiopia and visit the brethren who serve in the Gethsemane Church and GBI campus in Alem Gena. Ethiopian Airlines’ resumption of the route from Singapore to Tel Aviv (through Addis Ababa) was just in time for the BW Study Tour to Israel – praise the LORD! As Paul says, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal 6:10). We seized this opportunity to show our love to our fellow Ethiopian brethren (cf. Rom 12:9a – “Let love be without dissimulation”), and to spend time in worship and thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness through the past 17 years! I also thank God for nine GCC singers who cheerfully sang the encouraging hymn, “He Leadeth Me”, bringing a part of Singapore-style singing to brethren in Ethiopia. The whole team was treated to a sumptuous spread of authentic Ethiopian cuisine, which was concluded with live-roasted, ground and brewed Ethiopian coffee! 

The bus ride back to Bole International Airport for our connecting flight to Israel was a test of faith! We did not anticipate an afternoon traffic congestion, and many of us were anxious because we had only about two hours to travel back to the capital (Addis Ababa), get our luggage and check in to the next flight. Some urged the driver to “go fast!”; others tried to contact the airline. Everyone prayed earnestly, and when we finally reached the airport, Pastor led us in a prayer of thanksgiving, and the team moved quickly as one unit to the gate. We praise the Lord for truly, “He leadeth me, O blessed thought … By his own hand, he leadeth me!”

On a personal note, I thank God for this third visit to the Holy Land, which strengthened my geographical knowledge of the biblical accounts. At each site, I was transported back to its biblical narratives, and my heart was encouraged by the spiritual lessons and promises attached to each location. There was also a renewal of eschatological anticipation for Christ’s return during this trip. Apart from visiting Megiddo, where the nations’ armies would gather to battle Christ (Rev 16:16), we spent an hour in a private garden in Gethsemane, on the western slope of Mt Olive. This was a special booking made possible by the tour agent. Gethsemane (church) was in Gethsemane (cf. Luke 22:42)! Pastor exhorted from Zechariah 12-14 and we contemplated Christ’s second coming, which would unfold in the very space and land where we were. Such contemplations, made in meaningful places, tend to be etched deeply and enduringly in one’s mind. 

May the joys of living in Christ and our love for Him endure all the way till He calls us home, or when He returns! All glory be to God! 

Sermon Text: Psalm 55
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 17th September 2023

READ:

Philippians 4:13

¹³ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

EXHORTATION:

This is the solemn witness borne by the apostle Paul while he was bound in chains and imprisoned for Christ in Rome. His confinement and intimidating situation could have broken his spirit and left him in utter distress. He could have wept over his inability to do what he had been doing before his arrest and confinement in the high-security prison of the Roman emperor’s palace. As he was not allowed to visit the churches which he loved so dearly, he was left yearning for their fellowship which was deprived him. “For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:8). Being also severely hampered in the oversight of all that he had been praying and planning for the Gospel’s advancement, he was most concerned about the preaching ministry in those churches and their spiritual safety (cf. Philippians 1:15- 16, 27-30).

Regardless of all those heart-breaking deprivations, Paul was absolutely confident that his Saviour and Lord would continue to strengthen him to do all that he had been called to accomplish. He did not fear that his present imprisonment would shut him away from divine purposes and power. Instead, he believed with all his heart that all that had happened to him would lead him to new frontiers of Gospel advancement.

Earlier in this epistle, Paul had comforted the Philippian Christians who were anxious about his arrest and confinement by reporting to them that the Lord had paved a way to new Gospel frontiers through his incarceration. “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel” (Philippians 1:12). In the next verse, he explained that the palace (of Caesar) and its vicinity had heard of his suffering for Christ. Apparently, the Lord had given him opportunities to explain his faith to the guards, officials and workers whom he met in the palace’s prison. Thus, the Gospel spread quickly through those who believed through Paul’s testimony. Even within the palace, some had turned to Christ, as Paul wrote at the end of this epistle that “all the saints” in “Caesar’s household” joined him to salute the Philippian Christians (Philippians 4:22). Paul could not have devised a plan so effective as this to enter Caesar’s palace with the Gospel, Caesar being a sworn enemy of the Gospel. In effect, it was Christ who sent Paul into the palace as a prisoner to preach the Gospel! Christ can fulfil all His will concerning us, just as Paul had testified.

READ:

2 Thessalonians 3:13

¹³ But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

EXHORTATION:

As much as this exhortation is a warning to Christians against becoming weary in well doing, it is also an encouragement to continue in their commitment to be charitable and helpful to others in need. Throughout the New Testament, Christians are urged to be welldoers. Jesus exhorted His followers in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Likewise in Titus 3:8, we are instructed by Paul “that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.”

The apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” So, how do we know what are the good works that God wants us to fulfil? 2 Timothy 3:16-17 teaches us that “All scripture is given … that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” In pursuing well doing, we are obeying the will of God revealed in the Bible.

Even among those who oppose us, we are commanded to show our good works. We read in 1 Peter 2:12, “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” In 1 Timothy 2:9-10, Christian women are told that what is proper for godly women is not so much “broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array” as “good works”. In 1 Timothy 6:18, rich Christians are admonished to be mindful “that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate”. Though widows are often needy people, they too are encouraged to be engaged in well doing, so that they may be found worthy to be in the list of women who can be entrusted with responsibilities in the church. In 1 Timothy 5:10, Paul advised that such a widow should be “well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.”

Quite often, we may be disappointed and even discouraged by the ungratefulness and abusive reaction of the recipients of our kindness. However, we should not allow our hearts to grow weary in well doing.

READ:

2 Thessalonians 3:7

⁷ For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you.

EXHORTATION:

The early Christians paid much attention to learning from the apostles. Acts 2:42 records, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship”. In fact, the early Christians also paid attention to the apostles’ conduct. Many of the early Christians, who came from heathen families and societies, were accustomed to immoral and ungodly ways of life. Even those who came from Jewish background needed to shed their hypocritical, legalistic way of life. They knew that the best examples they could pattern their lives after, were the lives of the apostles and those who walked after them.

The apostles had always been careful to provide an example for the early Christians. So Paul could undoubtedly say, “for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you”. In his earlier epistle to the Thessalonians, Paul reminded them, “Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:10). The lives of the apostles constitute an irrefutable testimony of the kind of godly living which they could hold up before all Christians and say, “Now, follow us.” Paul said, “Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me” (1 Corinthians 4:16). Again he said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” To the Philippian saints, he beseeched, “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample” (Philippians 3:17).

It is God’s will that the ministers of the Word should be examples to the flock. To Timothy, his protégé in the ministry, Paul said, “be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). In similar fashion, Peter admonished the elders, “Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3). An important and abiding duty of every leader of the church in all ages is that he should so live his life that his people can follow his example to live a life of piety. Unfortunately, many leaders of the churches today are seen having the “Do as I say, not as I do” philosophy. Leading by example is often missing in many pastorates in these days. A pastor should never live in a manner which another believer cannot do likewise. In both public and secret areas of his life, he must be blameless and worthy of emulation. So, pray for exemplary pastors!

READ:

2 Thessalonians 3:5

⁵ And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

EXHORTATION:

This is Paul’s pastoral prayer and wish for the church. He prayed that the Lord would “direct” their hearts. The Greek verb for “direct” generally means to guide one’s way straight towards a place. Paul’s desire is that every Christian will be constantly led forward by God into a deeper, firmer relationship with God and Christ. No higher prayer can be offered than this – that by the influence of the Spirit of God, we may be led into the vibrant, unhindered operation of God’s love.

Christians’ continuous advancement in their spiritual relationship with their God and Saviour must always be sought after. Their spiritual life should not be stagnant, but constantly growing towards greater experiences of spiritual realities.

Like Paul, who trusted the Lord to direct the believers, we too can trust and pray to Him for our spiritual growth. Without the Lord’s direction, we will be like sheep that have gone astray, prodigals that have left their heavenly Father’s loving abode. If we would pray, He will lead us back to His loving presence and establish us in His love.

Hearts led by the Lord will not only obtain the joy and blessings of divine love, but will also grow in their love for God. More love for God will be seen in all aspects of their lives. Their love for God will manifest in greater appreciation for God’s Word, greater commitment to prayer, loving and generous service in the church, enthusiastic communion with God’s people, and compassion for lost souls. It would be impossible to suppress their love for God, as they grow to love Him with all their heart, mind and strength. May it be our desire to love as God has loved us!

Together with “the love of God”, the apostle Paul also mentioned “the patient waiting for Christ”. The Greek word translated as “patient waiting” denotes the idea of “the ability to continually bear up under difficult circumstances”. Impatience does not go along with love. Love begets patience. Patient waiting is the fruit of growing faith and love. It endures all circumstances with constancy, courage and steadfastness. Like Christ, we must also patiently suffer all things in love, for we know He is coming again to reward us. Therefore, in anticipation of the Lord’s return, we ought to bear difficulties, offences and sufferings with patience.

READ:

Romans 5:6

⁶ For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

EXHORTATION:

We once lived in great peril, having no strength to help ourselves out of our sins, misery and condemnation. Our impotency to help ourselves out of our utter wretchedness was an eternal peril that snared our souls. Our condition was pathetically awful, as we were “without strength”.

Our utter inability to please God – because of our sins – had left us completely open to the full force of God’s curse and wrath. “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another” (Titus 3:3). Our wretchedness reflected our cursed state – “for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Galatians 3:10).

Our sins had left us in dreadful spiritual, moral, emotional and even bodily weakness. Ungodliness had brought upon us many evils, namely the wild passions, the miseries of life, gloomy and dismal prospects, banishment from God and condemnation. It had wrecked our lives and left us in total spiritual and moral paralysis. Oh, how true it is that we had been “without strength”! What a terrible, tragic condition was ours! This malady is not a calamity befallen upon us, but a condition brought about by our own deeds. Nevertheless, how consoling it is that “in due time Christ died for the ungodly”! The divine intervention on our behalf did not come too late. Christ came to this world at the divinely appointed time. The time had been declared by the Old Testament prophets (cf. Daniel 9:26). As Paul said in Galatians 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law”.

When no man could help, Christ came. Christ means “Anointed One”. Christ, the Son of God, came as God’s appointed Saviour. He was endued with God’s perfect wisdom, power and authority to be our Saviour. He cannot and will not fail. Oh, what great news it is that God’s anointed one, Christ, has come to rescue us from our certain peril! How gracious it is that Christ “died for the ungodly”! He laid down His life on the cross, bearing upon Himself the divine justice against our sins. By His death, we have redemption. Truly, “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

READ:

Revelation 12:11b

^11b And they loved not their lives unto the death.

EXHORTATION:

This is a description of the attitude of the saints towards their own lives during the Great Tribulation period. It has already been stated in the first part of this verse that they will wholeheartedly trust in the blood of Christ to overcome the ferocious fury and hostility of Satan against their souls. They are also determined and devoted to bear witness for Christ. They fearlessly confess Jesus Christ and testify concerning Him in the midst of atrocity and violence committed against them. They are fearless and undeterred by the fierce persecution. Violence, blood, suffering and death will not stop them from living out their lives for the testimony of Christ.

The saints of Christ do not go into hiding to avoid the wrath of Satan and his hosts. They will maintain their evangelistic efforts even if it means death to them. Thus, John goes on to pinpoint the attitude behind their bold testimony, i.e. they do not love their lives to the point of death. They refuse to live for themselves. They are least concerned about their own safety when it comes to testifying for Christ.

They truly epitomise Jesus’ teaching on discipleship: “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). The true follower places Christ above everything else, even above his own life. Furthermore, Jesus said, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34). Denying oneself and bearing the cross are essential components of a life that is faithful and fervent for Christ. In other words, the faithful believers maintain their witness even if it means martyrdom.

In Revelation 2:10, the believers in Smyrna were told: “Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Many Christians will be persecuted, though not all will be put to death. So Christians must be willing to suffer and die for Christ, if necessary. They should not love a life that does not bear testimony for Christ. If the world and Satan should crush their efforts to live for Christ by inflicting death, they would happily accept it. Like Paul, their testimony would be: “Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death” (Philippians 1:20).