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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!

READ:

Jeremiah 1:7b

^7b For thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

EXHORTATION:

Jeremiah, a fearful, reluctant young prophet, is here being encouraged and instructed by the LORD. Jeremiah’s protest was overruled and his divine commission reiterated. It had pleased God to employ a weak and timid Jeremiah to dispense His Word. It is not a man’s self-confidence or volunteerism that matters in the LORD’s work, but his divine call and commission. No one should thrust himself into the role of a minister of the Word. To take upon oneself the office of the ministry is to be brazen, presumptuous and irreverent in the work of the LORD. Many of the men who filled the prophetic office of Israel were men whom God had not called. The LORD spoke concerning them, “I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you” (Jeremiah 27:15). Hananiah was a pretentious prophet whom the Lord rebuked through Jeremiah, saying, “Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie” (Jeremiah 28:15). When a man enters the sacred office of a preacher without being commissioned by God, he is akin to being a deceiver who misleads the people with a self-conceived message that destroys the souls of the people.

Here, upon reiterating His divine call, the LORD stipulates Jeremiah’s task as a prophet of Judah. Firstly, he was to go to all that the LORD would send him. Everyone whom God calls will have a divinely appointed place and people to minister His truth. The LORD’s servant must comply with the divine deployment (wherever it may be), even though he would experience hatred, persecution and even death in the course of his ministry. The choice of where one ought to minister is not a personal prerogative. This great lesson can be seen from Jonah’s story; the LORD will certainly reprimand any who neglects his appointed place of ministry.

Here the LORD also delineates Jeremiah’s message to the people. The LORD demanded, “whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak”. The LORD’s messenger is not allowed to speak his mind, but to declare only that which the LORD has revealed as His Word. No preacher should ever craft a sermon to please his own or the hearers’ thoughts and feelings. God’s charge is: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2).

READ:

Jeremiah 1:7a

^7a But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child.

EXHORTATION:

The LORD is teaching Jeremiah, the young preacher, to overcome his timidity, sense of inadequacy and reluctance to enter the ministry to which he had been called. His response to the LORD’s call was: “Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child” (Jeremiah 1:6). Jeremiah feared that his inexperience and lack of knowledge would render him ineffectual in the ministry.

Such a situation is common even today in the church. The sense of unworthiness has caused some to dread the duties and responsibilities of the ministry. They become timorous and unwilling to accept any duty in the church. The feeling of incompetency has compelled many to decline responsibilities in the Lord’s work.

However, we notice that the LORD’s word to Jeremiah (who feared the call of duty) was: “Say not, I am a child”. The LORD would not let Jeremiah sink into despondency and remain unfruitful in the ministry. The LORD graciously addressed his fear and prevented him from further sliding into his sense of inadequacy.

God’s word to the prophet – “Say not, I am a child” – implies that Jeremiah should not linger any more. He must ignore his own feelings and get into action, just as the LORD had spoken to him. He must believe that the LORD would be able to supply him with wisdom and strength fully equal to the task he had been commissioned to do.

The LORD is able to take a timid man, such as Jeremiah, and equip him for His work so that the glory may be His. By calling and empowering such “ill-adapted tools” for the accomplishment of His purposes, the LORD manifests His great wisdom and power. When God takes a man, who is plagued by a debilitating sense of utter inadequacy, and accomplishes His design through him, all human reasoning shall be thrashed and the magnificence of His wisdom and power shall be exalted.

Many children and young people have been called by the LORD to accomplish His purposes. Samuel, David, Jeremiah, Daniel, Timothy, and many more had been called and separated by the LORD from their childhood or youth, in order to accomplish His great purposes which far surpassed their stature. No one is too small that God cannot use him.

READ:

Colossians 4:6

⁶ Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

EXHORTATION:

A Christian’s speech, as much as his conduct, must befit his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our speech must not be like that of the unregenerate people. Our speech should never be channels of boasting, arrogance, lies, deceit, lust, profanity, hatred, curse, intimidation, violence, vanity, flattery, foolishness, idle talk, swearing, slander, gossip, or false teaching.

Our Lord’s speech was impeccable. There was never an imperfect or condemnable word that had proceeded from His mouth. In Luke 4:22, we have a record concerning Christ’s speech: “And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.” Yet, His enemies were “laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him” (Luke 11:54; cf. Matthew 22:15; Mark 12:13). In the end, they could not find anything wrong with His speech, and resorted to engaging false accusers against Him. Our conformity to Christ demands our conformity to His speech, hence the divine imperative: “Let your speech be alway with grace”. This is an exhortation to cultivate speech that is spiritually wholesome, fitting, truthful, loving, kind, sensitive, encouraging and gracious as well. Our speech must demonstrate the grace of God that is operative in our hearts.

At all times, we must maintain gracious speech. Gracious speech must be a habitual characteristic in our interactions with fellow men. In all circumstances of life, we must learn to maintain gracious speech. Whether it be a casual conversation with family members or friends, a stressful situation at home or work, a time of provocation and persecution, a time of Bible Study, a time of giving counsel, or a time of play, let us be careful to maintain gracious speech. Our speech should never be abrasive, rash, vitriolic or nasty.

Now, this does not mean that our speech must be “dripping” with undue words of niceties. But as Paul adds, it must be “seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man”. Our speech ought to be not only gracious, but also effective like the seasoning effect of salt. As salt penetrates the meat to give it taste and prevent decay, so must our speech be reproving, correcting and instructing. We must speak wisely, with spiritual discernment, in order to answer every man appropriately.

Sermon Text: Philippians 4:4–7
Speaker: Pr Cornelius Koshy
Date: 17th November 2024

Living as a righteous person in a hostile world brings unique challenges and tests. The righteous person’s desires often clash with the prevailing values of the world, which prioritise selfish ambition, power, and material success over humility, integrity, and faithfulness. Yet, the desires of a righteous person remain rooted in seeking God’s will, living justly, and walking in love and truth, even when surrounded by forces that resist or oppose his righteous desires.

I would like to share two thoughts for your instruction, caution, and encouragement, so that you may know how God cares for the desires of the righteous while He opposes the expectations of the wicked.

God Cares for the Desires of the Righteous

The desires of a righteous person hold a unique place in God’s heart, for they reflect a soul seeking alignment with God’s will. The Bible teaches that God not only knows our outward actions, but also understands our innermost desires. For righteous people, these desires go beyond mere personal gain and resonate with a longing for God’s presence, purpose, and guidance.

God knows our desires. As David said in Psalm 38:9 – “Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.” David acknowledged that all his desire is before the Lord. This desire encompasses his deepest longings, needs, and hopes. His desire is more than just material; it is also a spiritual yearning for God’s presence and goodness. 

David had been suffering. He said, “There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger” (v. 3a). He also mentioned that his iniquities were a heavy burden on him (v. 4). He yearned for healing and forgiveness from God. Amid his suffering, David turned to God, knowing that God alone understands the full extent of his pain and desires.

God possesses an intimate knowledge of every desire that His children hold. He knows our hearts even before we bring our desires to Him in prayer. Whether spoken or unspoken, each longing is laid bare before Him.

There is no need for elaborate words or hidden feelings—everything is laid bare before the Lord. This echoes the sentiment found in Psalm 139:1-4, where David acknowledged that God knew his every thought, word, and action even before he expressed it. He wrote, “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.”

There are moments when we may struggle to express our needs and desires clearly, being overwhelmed by our circumstances. Yet, even in those times of confusion or emotional turmoil, God fully understands our inner longings. He perceives our deepest thoughts and knows what burdens our hearts, even before we can find the words to articulate them.

When all we can do is sigh or groan in our distress, these groans, too, become prayers in His ears. A troubled soul’s earnest, heartfelt cry reaches God as powerfully as a perfectly spoken prayer. So David said, “and my groaning is not hid from thee.” Here, “groaning” refers to his deep inner pain, perhaps both physical and emotional. It is a word that conveys more than just sadness—it represents the weight of suffering that David was experiencing. Yet, despite his silent or quiet groans, David knew that God heard and understood even the unspoken cries of his heart.

It is a comfort to know that our loving God sees and understands us completely, even when all we can offer is a groan from our troubled hearts! He is always aware of our needs and desires, and His compassion towards us never wavers.

God Confounds the Expectations of the Wicked

Proverbs 11:7 declares, “When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.”

Human life is filled with expectations and dreams. People set high goals for themselves: students strive for top grades, professionals aim for career success, and families seek security, comfort and a sense of pride in their homes and possessions. Many people achieve these dreams through hard work and perseverance, in fulfilment of their earthly aspirations. Yet, this proverb provides a stark reminder of a reality beyond earthly success. For those who live without repentance—the “wicked”, as Scripture calls them—there is a bitter disappointment awaiting them beyond the grave.

When people live apart from God, placing all their hope in temporary achievements, they face the crushing truth that those worldly gains cannot follow them into eternity. The Bible reveals that for an unrepentant sinner, death is not simply the end of earthly pleasures and possessions, but the beginning of a tragic eternity. Everything the wicked have worked for—their wealth, power, influence, comforts—will perish. At that moment, their cherished expectations vanish. The “hope” that unjust people cling to in this life is revealed as a mirage, leaving nothing but emptiness and loss.

Moreover, for those who reject the forgiveness and salvation offered through Jesus Christ, death is not only the end of earthly hope, but also the end of any chance for eternal peace and joy. The wicked do not enter into the rest or honour of heaven; instead, they face eternal separation from God. Scripture warns of “the disappointment of endless shame and suffering in hell”, a truth that urges us to reconsider where we place our hope. For those who live without repentance, every earthly pleasure and achievement ultimately become meaningless, unable to satisfy in the face of eternal loss.

In the light of this, Proverbs 11:7 challenges us to examine our hearts. Are our greatest expectations and hopes rooted in fleeting, worldly success, or are they founded in God’s eternal promises? We can only escape the fate of eternal disappointment through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. In Him, our hope becomes more substantial than worldly achievements or wealth; it is the promise of everlasting life, peace, and joy in His presence. 

So, let us turn away from sin, and embrace the grace of God through Christ. Let us build our lives not on fleeting dreams but on the solid foundation of faith, which offers hope that does not perish in death. Only by following the Lord can we secure a future free from disappointment and that leads to eternal joy and fulfilment in His presence. Let this truth stir us to prioritise what truly matters, and seek God’s forgiveness, so that we may find lasting peace and hope beyond this life.

READ:

Colossians 4:5

⁵ Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

EXHORTATION:

Christians are instructed here concerning their conduct “toward them that are without” the church. Relating to people outside the household of faith poses peculiar challenges to the Christians. Unbelieving family members, colleagues at work, fellow students, neighbours and other associates – all have principles or philosophies of life and conduct that are contrary to the biblical counsels that God has given for believers to live by. Many things that are lawful in this world are unlawful according to God’s Word. For example, while there exist legalised gambling and prostitution in our societies, Scripture prohibits them completely. While many think that participating in different religious worship ceremonies / activities is good, such conduct is condemned in the Bible as abomination. Christians cannot join those who practise things that are prohibited in the Bible.

So, Christians are admonished to “walk in wisdom toward them that are without”. Our lives must be guided by the highest wisdom of God’s Word. God has said in Deuteronomy 4:6, “Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” In the same manner, Psalm 111:10 instructs His people, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” By living wisely according to His Word, we seek not the honour and praise that cometh from man, but from God (cf. John 5:44; 12:43). The praiseworthy conduct of a Christian is that he walks in the wisdom of God’s Word.

In Romans 16:19, the apostle Paul commended the Roman Christians who walked in obedience to God’s Word as wise. He said, “For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.” Christians’ conduct must always be a testimony to the righteousness and goodness of their Lord and His counsels.

We also should not give opportunity to the unbelieving to malign our faith because of our unwise conduct. But we must “buy up” (“redeem”) every opportunity to bear a good testimony for the Lord. Let us not just wait for opportunity to fall into our lap. Let us arise and shine for Christ!

READ:

Colossians 4:2

² Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.

EXHORTATION:

All believers are here commanded to pray with earnest perseverance. The Greek word translated as “continue” (proskarteré?) has the idea of “to continue to do something with intense effort, even with the possibility of difficulties along the way, until one has brought it to the wished-for end”. Firstly, our prayers must be earnest before God. Prayer should never be perfunctory. A casual or superficial attitude in prayer is akin to being irreverent before God. An indifferent heart in prayer is tantamount to mocking God’s holy and solemn presence. Wandering hearts and sleepy prayers are not befitting the majestic presence of our gracious God. Secondly, there must be devoutness and commitment to prayer. Jesus said, “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint”. Not that we are to be always on our knees, but that the spirit of prayer should never be laid aside. We must have a prayerful spirit all the time. We must also delight in frequent prayers, whether they be short or protracted prayers. God must be frequently sought, for He alone is our help.

Scripture records many examples of men and women who frequently prayed. In this chapter, the apostle mentions his co-labourer, Epaphras, as “always labouring fervently for you in prayers” (Colossians 4:12). Such constancy in prayer has been the secret of God’s servants who are Godhonouring. We must take care not to be drawn away from prayer by laziness, pleasure, business, etc.

We are also called unto watchfulness in prayer – “watch in the same”. The word rendered “watch” has the idea of “refrain from sleep”, “stay awake”, “be alert”, “be vigilant”. When physical tiredness and sleepiness prevented Peter, James and John from being awakened unto prayer, Jesus rebuked them: “What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:40-41). Even physical fatigue is not a satisfactory excuse for failing in prayer. Christians must be awake unto the pressing matters of life and ministry, so as to bring them to God in prayer.

Whenever we pray, we must not fail to be thankful towards God. We are more prone to ask or complain than to give thanks. When we pray, we must be grateful for the blessings already granted and for the promises He has given unto us. Beware: ungrateful men are not fit to pray.

READ:

Philemon 1:7

⁷ For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

EXHORTATION:

These words of the apostle Paul are a testimonial to the far-reaching effects of Christian charity exhibited by Philemon, a rich Christian man who lived in Colossae. Philemon’s love for Christ was demonstrated in his expressions of love towards fellow Christians. He was joyful and ready to communicate to fellow Christians who were in need.

Paul mentioned that because of Philemon’s deeds, “the bowels of the saints are refreshed”. The word “bowels” here denotes deep-seated affections. The saints who were ministered to by Philemon were much encouraged in their hearts, for he had “refreshed” them. The Greek word for “refreshed” suggests that he made provisions for the saints’ physical and spiritual rest from toils of life and work. The kindness he had shown to Christians had done much to make them happy. It appears that he was helpful not only to Christians who lived in his place, but even to the travelling preachers and brethren who passed through his city.

Acts of kindness and love, no matter how small they may be, can have enormous impact on the lives of people. Charity shown towards one needy individual can also become a help to many others who are associated with him. The fragrance of Christian love will reach far beyond one’s area of life and ministry. Philemon little dreamed that his help and support to some suffering brethren in Colossae would find their way across the sea and would cause the apostle Paul and his fellow labourers in the Roman prison to rejoice greatly.

Like Philemon, let us delight ourselves in the duty of Christian hospitality and charity. To seek the well-being of fellow Christians around us would result in the strengthening of the Lord’s work everywhere. When we strengthen the faithful, in times of their needs and difficulties, with the good things we possess, we cheer their hearts and minds to press on in their service for the Lord. So, may we give ourselves to comfort the godly according to the ability that God has given us.

Moreover, Paul’s commendation of Philemon shows how important it is to appreciate and encourage those who attend to the needs of others. When we see God’s grace working through other Christians, let us rejoice and give thanks to God on their behalf.