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READ:

Isaiah 45:6b

^6b I am the LORD, and there is none else.

EXHORTATION:

Through the prophet Isaiah, the LORD declares Himself as the Supreme Sovereign who has no match or equal anywhere. He is the undisputed King. Even the new mighty king Cyrus of Persia, who would crush and conquer the might of great Babylon, would serve the LORD. Irrespective of his exploits and subjugation of the world’s powerful kings and princes, Cyrus would be under the LORD’s dominion (cf. Isaiah 44:28; 45:1-4). Cyrus would act just as God commanded him. The sway that the LORD would have over Cyrus and all his political and military activities, provides irrefutable proof of the LORD’s total domination and incomparable might and glory. The LORD would use Cyrus as His instrument to accomplish His purposes concerning the Jews and the city of Jerusalem. Hence, the LORD’s assertion, “I am the LORD”, denotes His sovereignty as incontestable and never-diminishing. This statement is not a mere identification of His name, but a revelation of His greatness and sovereignty. As it is written in Psalm 95:3, “For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” To all God’s servants, the name “the LORD” (or Jehovah) means that He is the Almighty God. So the psalmist said, “For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods” (Psalm 135:5). The assertion, “I am the LORD”, means that the LORD God is sovereign above all and all else are under His feet.

The assertion, “I am the LORD”, also affirms His self-existence and unchanging nature. In Isaiah 44:6, God, who is “the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts”, declares: “I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.” In Malachi 3:6, the LORD affirms, “For I am the LORD, I change not”. His unchanging commitment to His people is often avowed by the declaration, “I am the LORD your God” (cf. Exodus 6:7; Leviticus 18:2, 4; Deuteronomy 29:6; Ezekiel 20:5, 7, 19, 20).

The proclamation, “I am the LORD”, also refutes all ideas of the existence of other gods, hence His unequivocal statement: “there is none else.” In Isaiah 45 and 46, the LORD has iterated seven times that there is none else besides Him (Isaiah 45:5, 6, 14, 18, 21, 22; 46:9), as a warning to the Jews of Isaiah’s day who went after the idols of the surrounding heathen nations. The name “the LORD” (or Jehovah) must evoke in us faith, love, reverence, submission, worship, obedience and allegiance to Him. We must flee all forms of idolatry and yield only to the LORD.

READ:

Isaiah 45:6a

^6a That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me.

EXHORTATION:

The LORD had just declared through Isaiah that He would raise a heathen king, Cyrus, who would let the Jews (being in captivity for seventy years) return to Jerusalem to rebuild it (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1-4). Cyrus was not yet even born when the LORD foretold (through Isaiah) about his rise to great power and wealth, and also how he would authorise the return of the Jews and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. It was about 150 years before Cyrus was born that those prophecies concerning him were declared by Isaiah.

Those prophecies about Cyrus were of a peculiar nature, as the LORD would use a heathen king to accomplish His purposes concerning His people, Israel. Ezra 1:1-2 records, “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, ... the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.” Thus we see God’s sovereign power over all men – even over His powerful enemies – clearly demonstrated here. No man is beyond the control of our great God.

Having declared what He would accomplish through Cyrus, the LORD mentioned as one of His purposes for using a heathen king – “That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me.” People from the east (“from the rising of the sun”) and the west shall know that there is no other God except the LORD God of Israel, who has revealed Himself in His Word. Through God’s acts of chastisement, restoration and renewal of Israel, as well as through all that had happened and will happen to present-day Israel (including its wars, catastrophes and final restoration), the world would know that the LORD God of Israel alone is God and there is none else. Though the LORD was not universally acknowledged in Cyrus’ day, He will be eventually (cf. Philippians 2:10-11). Seven times in Isaiah 45 and 46, the LORD declared that “there is none beside me” (Isaiah 45:5, 6, 14, 18, 21, 22; 46:9), to drive home the point that He alone is God while all else are fictitious deities. In a world filled with idolatry and polytheism, it is truly amazing that the LORD says that the world would know that He alone is God. Let us preach the Gospel, that more and more people may know the LORD as the only God.

READ:

Psalm 100:3b

^3b We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

EXHORTATION:

Israel was called by God to be “his people”. All genuine Israelites could say, “we are his people”. God has so often referred to Israel as “my people” (cf. Exodus 3:7, 10; 5:1; 2 Samuel 3:18; Psalm 81:8). Likewise, in these days, God has called us (who are not of Israel) through the Lord Jesus Christ to be His people. In 2 Corinthians 6:16, we read: “For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Again in Titus 2:14, we read that Christ “gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

How great indeed is God’s grace towards us, that we can say: “we are his people”! Though we were once alienated from God, His grace has received us as “his people.” 1 Peter 2:9-10 declares, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” Truly, it is a very great honour which God has bestowed upon us, that we can boldly say: “we are his people”.

Since He has received us as His people, He will also care for us as “the sheep of his pasture”. Psalm 95:7 records thus, “For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.” The LORD will take care of His people as tenderly as a shepherd cares for his sheep. “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11). The LORD will see to all our needs, and guide us every step of the way.

God’s people must acknowledge that they are not self-made individuals. Rather, God has created and redeemed them and He now nourishes and nurtures them daily. We are what we are because of the LORD’s gracious provisions and guidance. So, like the sheep that gather around their shepherd, let us commit ourselves to the LORD, our gracious and loving Shepherd, with grateful hearts. Let us say to our God, “So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever” (Psalm 79:13).

READ:

Psalm 100:3a

^3a Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves.

EXHORTATION:

Biblical religion is knowledge-based; it is based, in particular, on the knowledge of the living and true God. True worship never occurs without the knowledge that the LORD is God. False ideas of God lead to idolatry and superstitions. Hence, the admonition to all is: “Know ye that the LORD he is God”. The name “the LORD” in Hebrew is “Yehowah”, which is transliterated into English as Jehovah. This name of God appears 6,518 times in the Hebrew Old Testament Scriptures. In the King James Bible, “Yehowah” is translated as “LORD” 6,510 times, “GOD” four times, and “JEHOVAH” four times. It has never been used to refer to any other god or person in the Bible. The LORD is God in the fullest, most absolute and most exclusive sense.

“Yehowah” denotes the self-existence of God (cf. Exodus 3:13-15). The LORD is the eternal God. He is without beginning and end. He is also our Creator. It is the LORD who “hath made us, and not we ourselves”. Hence, we must know that there is no God besides the LORD. Unto Israel, it was declared through Moses, “Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him … Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else” (Deuteronomy 4:35, 39). Likewise, the prophet Jeremiah declared, “But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king” (Jeremiah 10:10). It is repeatedly asserted that the LORD of Israel (who has revealed Himself in the Scriptures) alone is God (cf. Joshua 22:30; 1 Kings 8:60; 18:39; 2 Kings 19:19; Isaiah 44:6, 8, 24; 45:5-6, 22; Hosea 13:4; Joel 2:27; John 17:3; Acts 17:23-24).

Every worshipper must acknowledge and confess that the LORD alone is God. Even more, they must seek to know Him more and more with great wonder, thankfulness and reverence. God’s people have been instructed: “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9). Through the prophet Hosea, the LORD also said that He desired “the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6). We must know the LORD and prove our knowledge of Him by our faith, obedience, zeal and love towards Him.

Sermon Text: Philippians 4:8–13
Speaker: Pr Cornelius Koshy
Date: 24th November 2024

Beloved brethren,

Warm greetings to you in the glorious name of our Saviour from Nairobi, Kenya! My wife Carolyn and I arrived here on Tuesday afternoon, after completing eight blessed days of ministry in Ethiopia.

We are grateful to God for the continued prayers and encouragement from our elders and staff back in Singapore, who have faithfully kept in touch via WhatsApp concerning the ministry’s progress. Their dedication to the Lord’s work and intercessions for us have been a great source of comfort and strength.

We praise God for His enabling grace upon our preachers, who have ministered His Word faithfully in all the church’s meetings. May the Lord continue to bless and edify you through their diligent service.

8 Days of Ministry in Ethiopia

Our days in Ethiopia were both challenging and rewarding. The high altitude took a daily toll on me, causing persistent sickness. Yet, God’s presence and gracious strengthening were evident throughout. He faithfully provided timely relief from physical distress, enabling me to teach God’s Word to the GBI students for four hours each day.

Carolyn’s supportive presence and care were a source of great comfort. Additionally, the local servants of the Lord—Rev. Ephrem, Pr Engida, Pr Imane, Pr Bayera and Pr Bedada—were incredibly attentive to my struggles and extended their assistance with kindness and thoughtfulness. The families of Rev. Ephrem and Pr Imane, who reside on the church and GBI campus, also contributed immensely to our well-being. They prepared nourishing and suitable meals daily, ensuring that we were cared for physically, as I focused on ministering spiritually. Through it all, God’s grace and the love of His people sustained us.

Teaching the 26 full-time students of GBI was a joyful experience, as all of them were eager to learn God’s Word. Not all students could communicate in English, so Rev. Ephrem, Pr Engida and Pr Imane helped them interpret my lectures. They also helped in the Q & A sessions, which the students greatly appreciated.

Likewise, Pr Bayera and Pr Bedada helped Carolyn to interpret her teaching of God’s Word to the children who came daily to the Gethsemane Children’s Ministry. About 110 children attend classes held from 8.30am to 12.30pm. Ten teachers, led by the preachers and Sis. Gete, care for and teach these children. Through this ministry to the children, preachers find opportunities to visit families in the neighbourhood with the Gospel, and invite them to the church.

Last Sunday morning, the Addis Ababa congregation came to Alem Gena for joint worship. We praise God for the many familiar and some new faces we could fellowship with. Rev. Ephrem led the worship, the young people’s choir sang Amharic worship hymns, I preached the Word from Ephesians 2:18 on “Our Access to God through Christ”, and the sisters provided a sumptuous lunch for all the worshippers.

Dear brethren, it has been almost 20 years since God opened the door to Ethiopia before us through Rev. Ephrem. This work has been strengthened by fellow labourers joining him to spread the Gospel and teach the Word. The works in Addis Ababa and Alem Gena must be further strengthened with our prayers and support. Upon my return, I desire to share more of the ministry needs and opportunities with you. Your prayers, generous support, and visitation to this mission station have not been in vain, for it continues to bear many fruits that will last for eternity. May God bless and strengthen this Gospel frontier opened to us!

4 Days of Ministry in Kenya

This East African mission trip was not part of this year’s ministry plan. It was unplanned until late October, when the Lord began to burden my heart through a call from Rev. Mark Kim, the principal of Bible College of East Africa (BCEA). Rev. Kim invited me to join him and his co-labourers for the College’s 59th Graduation Service, scheduled for 23rd November 2024. When he called me, Rev. Kim was facing many challenges in a new Gospel work in Rwanda, another East African nation. He has been labouring in Rwanda for the past few years, establishing a mission station. Through his efforts, the Gospel was proclaimed to thousands, and by God’s grace, over 800 people began gathering regularly for worship. However, recent government restrictions have forced the church to cease operations. This has been a deeply challenging and disheartening time for Rev. and Mrs. Kim, and their eldest daughter, Sis. Ha Young, who have laboured tirelessly for the Gospel in that mission station.

Feeling compelled to visit and encourage them during this period of great trial, I sought the counsel and approval of our church elders. They unanimously supported the plan and encouraged me to undertake this journey from 11th to 26th November 2024, accompanied by my wife. They recognised the importance of her presence and support during this mission.

Rev. Kim returned to Nairobi from Rwanda on Monday to supervise and attend BCEA’s graduation. At the same time, his wife and daughter stayed back in Rwanda to support the ongoing work, such as the daily children’s ministry and other administrative matters. During his absence in Nairobi, the work of BCEA has been managed by Rev. Eben Yoon, whose family work with him. He is ably supported by a team of full-time and part-time lecturers, including Pr James Tan and his wife, Sis. Charmaine (both graduates of FEBC and members of Tabernacle BPC, Singapore).

Presently, BCEA (Nairobi) has 76 students undergoing theological training. I have ministered God’s Word to them on three occasions in the last three days. I’m also supposed to preach God’s Word during the graduation service on “Spirit-Separated Men for the Ministry”, taken from Acts 16:1-3.

The Lord has sustained this tremendous work over the past 59 years. The early 25 years of BCEA were under the leadership of American Bible-Presbyterian missionaries sent by the Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions (IBPFM). Since 1990, this has been under the faithful and fruitful leadership of Rev. Mark Kim. The BCEA has set up a ministry in Arusha, Tanzania, where Rev. Park Seung Kyu and family (FEBC graduates) serve with two other BCEA graduates. We are glad to see Rev. Park’s family in Nairobi as they have also arrived to join the graduation service.

Rev. Ephrem and Sis. Gete, our Ethiopian missionary family, had graduated from BCEA (Nairobi) before coming to Singapore for studies in FEBC. Rev. Ephrem is also joining us in Nairobi and on our scheduled trip to Rwanda. After spending Sunday and Monday with the brethren in Rwanda, we plan to return to Singapore, God willing, on Tuesday.

We praise the Lord for your prayers and support in sending us forward on this journey after a godly sort. May God help us always to do well, according to His Word, for the Gospel mission works everywhere.

Joyfully in His service,
Your Pastor

READ:

Psalm 46:10

¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

EXHORTATION:

The psalmist was speaking about the heathen nations that rage against God’s people (Israel) in vain. Their rage was utterly crushed by “the LORD of hosts”. The LORD had overthrown the foes of His people, and had prevented them from utterly destroying His people.

The LORD, who is the Mighty Conqueror, wants His people to “be still, and know that I am God”. It is very important that we hush our tumultuous hearts, suppress all the passions of our hearts and restrain our minds from wandering thoughts. We must cease from fear, anxiety, bitterness, boastfulness and all other kinds of frenzied activity that distract us from fully focusing on God and His mighty acts. Even amidst the commotion of war, God’s people should quietly wait on God to work for them.

David’s words in the battle against the Philistine giant, Goliath, are illustrative of the stillness we must have in our hearts – “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). When we are embattled, we must quietly and firmly acknowledge in our hearts that “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD” (Proverbs 21:31).

Moreover, before the presence of the LORD, everyone ought to quieten his heart and contemplate the mighty work which the LORD has done for the defence and deliverance of His people. The stillness intimated here is not that of indifference, indolence or dejection, but of humility, faith, meditation and thanksgiving. Before the presence of our great God, we must maintain a holy silence of submission and worship. “Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation” (Zechariah 2:13). We must make every effort to acknowledge and praise God for the work He has accomplished to protect and deliver us.

The LORD also declares in the hearts of His people that “I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth”, to His great glory. His mighty acts will draw praise even from the heathen. They will know that their idols are nothing and will exalt the LORD’s name above all else. Then one day, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:15).

READ:

Psalm 4:4

⁴ Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

EXHORTATION:

Man’s experience on earth is such that committing sin is more common than refraining from it. At every provocation or temptation, man finds himself easily in the sway of sin, unless he guards himself with God’s help. In fact, even without any external provocation or temptation, man is found gravitating towards sin. So, the counsel by David is a crucial one to us all. David’s admonition to everyone is: “Stand in awe, and sin not”.

The Hebrew word translated as “stand in awe” carries the idea of trembling within. Some have translated it as “be angry”, suggesting that Paul had taken his admonition in Ephesians 4:26 – “Be ye angry, and sin not” – from David’s words. There may be some truth in that. David was here addressing men who were trying to discredit him with their vain words and lies (cf. v. 2). His counsel to those restless men was to “stand in awe”, that they might abstain from sinning. They ought to tremble with godly fear regarding their sinful conduct and its consequences. Their hearts must be stirred against their sins.

We must heed David’s counsel so as to prevent ourselves from sinning foolishly. Let there be always a fear and dread upon our minds, which arise from a sense of divine holiness and justice against sin. There is no greater prevention against sin than a due sense of the presence of the Almighty God who “is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11). If we nurture and maintain a holy reverence for our sovereign God’s glory, and a holy dread of His wrath and curse, we will not dare to provoke Him with our sinful conduct. Let us be “tremblers” rather than “triflers” before God.

David’s next advice against sin is to “commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still”. The proper attitude of awe ought to be nurtured by communing with our own hearts. Teaching ourselves how to think and act in a way that would rid our lives of all sinful conduct is a solemn duty we should not neglect. We must take time to look into our hearts to watch out for any seed of sin germinating within us. We must search our hearts to uncover and remove the roots of our misdeeds, as well as teach our hearts the godly ways in which we ought to walk. To truly nurture our hearts, we must find a place and a time of quietness, hence the need to retire into our chamber (“bed”) and examine our hearts before the LORD.

READ:

Psalm 46:1

¹ God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

EXHORTATION:

The psalmist here instructs God’s people concerning how they ought to possess indefatigable faith in God, even when they are encircled by terrors and troubles. The psalmist is not only an example of unfaltering faith, but also an encourager who exhorts fellow believers to put their confidence in God. The psalmist’s confession of God’s goodness towards His people is remarkably invigorating.

Here the psalmist makes three assertions about God which believers should affirm wholeheartedly in their times of troubles. The first truth that we should affirm in the midst of our troubles is that “God is our refuge”. Some have built for themselves what appear to be well-fortified castles with tall, strong walls and thick iron gates, guarded by hosts of strong men with powerful weapons. Yet time and time again, such manmade refuge have been breached by enemies and all kinds of perils. A far superior shelter is the LORD God for all who trust in Him. He is their impregnable refuge. Taking shelter in God is far better than running into man-made shelters. God is our safe shelter!

The second truth that God’s people must affirm always is that God is their “strength”. When they feel weak and defenceless, God is the source of their strength. They can come to Him, and renew their strength. God’s omnipotence provides His people with assurance and motivation to endure their troubles and accomplish all that God has called them to do. Let His people believe that God’s strength is their strength. Let them arise in confidence to fulfil all His good purposes, even when troubles assail them. God is our unfailing strength!

The third solemn truth that God’s people must affirm constantly is that God is “a very present help in trouble.” When trouble is near His people, God is nearer to them than the trouble. He never withdraws Himself from His troubled people. He draws near to His children in their trouble. God is closer to His people than their nearest and dearest family member or friend. He will be with them as their Help. His presence will be nearer than the trouble. He will never be absent from His people. Troubles confronting God’s people are not a sign of God’s abandonment of His people. Rather, they are an opportunity bestowed by God for them to experience the grandeur of His presence. Come, let us sing the forty-sixth Psalm.

READ:

Jeremiah 1:8

⁸ Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

EXHORTATION:

The LORD expected His servant, Jeremiah, to embolden himself against all that was terrifying his heart. Fear was preventing Jeremiah from enrolling in the prophetic ministry to which the LORD had called him. Fear was destabilising him and almost dispossessing him of the resolve and readiness needed to be an obedient and effective preacher of God’s Word.

Courage and fearlessness are much needed to a live a life of faith and righteousness in this wicked world. Fear will make us falter, and disobedience to God will then characterise our lives. So, fear should not be allowed to remain in our hearts. This especially applies to those who are called to be preachers of God’s Word to rebuke the sins of the people.

The LORD said to Jeremiah, “Be not afraid of their faces”. It is now apparent from the LORD’s words that the actual fear Jeremiah had in his heart was the disapproval and retaliation of the people to whom he would be sent to rebuke, correct and instruct according to God’s Word. There was a greater hindrance in Jeremiah’s heart than his earlier reasoning that he was an inexperienced, ill-equipped, ignorant “child” (1:6). That was a flimsy, unconvincing excuse before the LORD. The real reason for his hesitation is now addressed by the LORD, i.e. his fear of people’s unhappiness with the message.

Thus, the LORD told Jeremiah to disregard the frowning brows, stern looks and angry countenances of his hearers. Sinful men would express their disapproval of and disgust for God’s truth by snarling at the preacher. Cowardice has no place in the preaching ministry. If one is to faithfully communicate the divine message to the people, one must overcome their menacing looks, slanderous words and hurtful actions.

The best remedy against fear of man is in the form of the promises of God, such as “I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.” The LORD is His servant’s ever-present Protector and Deliverer. Steadfast faith in God’s promises and presence will help us to conquer fear and be filled with boldness. Faith draws us to God and all His purposes, but fear insidiously draws us away from God and all His purposes. God has committed Himself to be with us and deliver us, so why fear? Only believe!