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READ:

James 5:16b

^16b The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

EXHORTATION:

What is effectual fervent prayer? The words “effectual fervent” are translated from one Greek word (energoumenē) from which we get the English word “energy”. Here it denotes an energetic, operative prayer. We must not be contented with weak prayers.

The energetic, effective prayer comes from “a righteous man”. In the context of our verse, the righteous man is the one who confesses his sins to the one whom he has offended in order that they may be reconciled and pray together. He is a man who seeks to live a life of purity, peace and prayer. It is to such saints, who are dedicated to living a holy, amicable and prayerful life, that effectual prayer belongs.

Weak, ineffectual prayers proceed from spiritually and morally weak people. As Christians, we must seek to possess a life of effective prayers. If we would pursue holiness, fellowship and joint-prayers with God’s people, we will soon be heirs of a powerful life of prayer. If we were to be blessed with a powerful prayer life, we must cease from all sins and offences, and live a devout and dedicated life of Christian fellowship.

The success of prayer is intimately connected with our Christian character. The prayer of the righteous is sincere, and it does not proceed from insincere lips, or a hypocritical heart. The Lord is pleased to hear those who obey His Word sincerely; hence, he will answer their prayers.

Proverbs 15:8 tells us that “the prayer of the upright is his delight.” Proverbs 15:29 says, “The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.” Psalm 34:15-17 remind us that “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.” The blind man healed by Christ commented, “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth” (John 9:31).

Hence, prayer is more than a mere good spiritual discipline of the righteous; it is their channel for asking and receiving God’s wonderful provisions. Let us therefore pursue a life of purity, peace and prayer that “availeth much”.

READ:

James 5:16a

^16a Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.

EXHORTATION:

The situation in view here is that of Christians who suffer from some form of sickness, apparently as a chastisement for their sins. They are advised to confess the offences they have committed to those whom they have injured. The specific reason for such an advice is that the offenders who have fallen sick “may be healed”.

The “confession of sins” taught here, is not to a priest, as the Catholics teach. No mention at all is made here of a priest or even of a minister of religion as the one to whom the confession is to be made. The confession referred to is for “faults” with reference to “one another”. In other words, if one has injured another, he should confess it to the one whom he has hurt. Nothing is mentioned here about confessing faults to those whom we have not injured at all. There is no mention here of absolution (or pardon granted) either by a priest or any other person.

Upon the confession of faults to one another, they are instructed to pray one for another. The offender and the aggrieved party should pray for each other. In other words, confession should not be made perfunctorily, but in a truly devout spirit, that is, in a spirit consistent with prayer. Confessing of sin should not be done merely to get through a duty. It must come from the heart, in such a way that the brother whom he has offended would be moved to pray with him.

It also teaches us that when the offender (being sick) is unable to visit the aggrieved party to offer his sincere apologies but indicates (in some ways) his desire to make confession, the offended person must not haughtily refuse his humble request. The offended person must be humble and patient enough to examine his own heart so as not to deny the request of the repenting offender. Both must get together and pray one for another. Mutual prayer demands mutual love and confidence. Quarrelling and fault-finding will prevent us from praying together. So we should forgive each other freely and from our hearts, because not forgiving hinders prayer (Mark 11:25-26). We must also desire each other’s spiritual and physical good. It is such mutual love and prayer that will be rewarded with the restoration to health of the sick Christian. It is ungodly to keep a cold, haughty distance and perpetuate mutual estrangement ever after.

Sermon Text: Philippians 4:14–20
Speaker: Pr Cornelius Koshy
Date: 30th March 2025

Elder Mah Chin Kwang

God’s Word in Deut 32:7 declares, “Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.” God’s call to remember, consider, and ask of the old days was for a blessed, spiritual purpose. It is that God’s people down the ages, through the recollections of their fathers and leaders, may explain to and direct the younger generation to the Lord God Almighty as they recount God’s wondrous works. This we must do on this blessed occasion, and for always.

The blessedness of being involved in the conception, birth and growth of our church spanning four decades enables me to witness the constant gracious and mighty Hand of the Lord over our church. There are certainly many items for thanksgiving. I shall testify of one - the Lord’s answering a prayer of old. 

The prayer I made regularly was: “that our church would always stand squarely on the Word of God.” It was a personal but necessary prayer, as many controversies surround contemporary Christendom. I am convinced that the church that does not stand firmly on the Bible would, over time, drift away from the Lord. By His divine grace and providence, the Lord answered that prayer. He brought our Pastor in December 1990, who has served to this day. Notwithstanding the great need that our church faced, amidst much pains and tears, the Lord kept this church faithful to His Word, through the labours of His servant. Certainly, it is through the enabling grace of the Lord upon our Pastor that our church continues to take that stand. May we all rejoice, give thanks, and pray that the Lord will always give us such like-minded pastors and leaders. 

We rejoice in the Lord that our church is engaged in many ministries here in Singapore, in several other countries and beyond, as well as through the internet. However, more than this, it is the Lord’s faithfulness in blessing our small group by providing, sustaining and directing us that we ought to praise and thank Him for. All glory be unto His majestic Name!

Elder Lim Ah Sang

All praise be unto God for His goodness towards Gethsemane BP Church in all these 37 years! The fearless, strong, faithful and consistent preaching and teaching in this church against sin and worldliness must be treasured as the working grace of God. In addition, the timely providence of God for the many works He has entrusted to Gethsemane, as well as the weekly, well-attended prayer meeting (which at times involving fasting), is spiritual evidence of God’s presence in this God-honouring church. God be praised for working through us. May God keep us humble and continue to work in and through us for His glory.

In the last days, perilous times shall come, and they are here now. Are we not seeing some of the signs that indicate the imminence of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Matt 24)? What is our response to Jesus’ question in Luke 18:8b, “when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” May Gethsemaneans take to heart this question of the Lord. May none of us be found among those who fall away, or those whom Jesus will profess in the day of judgment: “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt 7:23).

May God be gracious and merciful, keeping us true and faithful to Him. Let us persevere in His works with much love and prayer for one another, and with a pure heart, as we serve our Great God and King. To God be the glory.

Elder Low Boon Siang

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 136:1).

I thank God for Gethsemane BP Church, a Bible-believing church firmly grounded in sound doctrine. Since my conversion at 18, I have spent the past 23 years as a Christian here, experiencing His marvellous grace and goodness. Throughout these years, God has faithfully guided and preserved me through various seasons of life, including my time as a student, in the army, as a working adult, in marriage, in parenting, and as a church elder. Though there were many struggles and temptations, God has always been my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

Secondly, I thank God for the faithful preaching in this church. Through our Pastor’s exhortation of the Word, I was often rebuked, corrected, and instructed in the way of the Lord. Although at times painful, these teachings were necessary for my spiritual growth, guiding me along the path of righteousness. I also thank God for the many godly examples in the church—young and old, single and married, parents and grandparents—who have demonstrated how Christians can live abundant lives in Christ. Their testimonies encourage me to walk faithfully and strive to be a godly example to the generations to come.

To all in Gethsemane BP Church, especially the youths and young adults, I urge you to cherish the Word of God, for it is your most trusted guide in life. Be consistently fed by God’s Word so that your ways align with His will, and you may live a God-honouring life that blesses others. As J.C. Ryle wisely said, “Happy is that man who possesses a Bible! Happier still is he who reads it! Happiest of all is he who not only reads it, but obeys it, and makes it the rule of his faith and practice!”

As we commemorate 37 years of God’s faithfulness, may we press on in faith, trusting in His grace and serving Him with gladness. “Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him” (Deut 13:4).

Elder Ng Poh Kok

“The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad” (Psalm 126:3).

Looking back fifteen years ago, the Lord drew my family to Himself, deepening our spiritual life to realise the hope and experience the favour He granted us. His divine providence has seen us through many trials and wonderful lessons in life. When we joined GBPC, we were warmly received into the fellowship of God’s people, and with that experience, we wanted others to feel the same too. Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed, but God is able to help, and God is able to do more than we can think and do.

I thank the Lord for raising up a banner of truth, GBPC, in a time like this, to champion the cause of Christ and to make Him known in many countries. As we celebrate the 37th Anniversary of GBPC, may the love of God continue to transform the lives of many and make us channels of blessing to others. Let me bring to your remembrance a quotation from missionary C.T. Studd: “Only one life to live ‘twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” 

Elder Francis Lee

“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Ps 103:1-2). 

On this 37th Anniversary of Gethsemane B-P Church, I thank God for His bountiful blessings upon the church, which has grown from a small band of eight people (when our Pastor came here to serve in early 1991) to the present-day congregation of almost 400 members and regular worshippers. By the Lord’s grace, we have increased in numbers to be used by Him to bring the Gospel message near and far, from Singapore to many overseas countries. I also thank God for giving us faithful ministers of His Word – our Pastor and our faithful preachers – who have laboured tirelessly to teach us the Word of God. Praise God that our church has proclaimed and defended God’s Word faithfully for the past 37 years, as the pillar and ground of God’s Truth (1 Tim 3:15b). 

May we, in thankfulness for God’s blessings upon our church, respond by dedicating ourselves to do His will and abound in the work of the Lord. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom 12:1-2). Let us not be moulded by the world but be spiritually transformed, exercising our spiritual gifts (Rom 12:6-8) to serve the Lord with humility (Rom 12:3), with unity (Rom 12:4-5), with genuine love in truth (Rom 12:9-10), with diligence (Rom 12:11), and with hope, patience and prayer (Rom 12:12).

Pastor Prabhudas Koshy

Looking back, I marvel at the divine Hand that has been at work in my life and ministry, orchestrating events in ways I could never have foreseen. My heart is overwhelmed with gratitude to our faithful and merciful God.

I did not know that God, through the efforts of Elder Mah Chin Kwang and other brethren, had begun a small congregation that would later become my place of pastoral ministry. Yet, in His perfect timing, as soon as I completed my first four-year course in theological studies, the Lord led me to this very church—Gethsemane BPC—where He had prepared a field for me to labour in His name.

Here, in the loving fold of this congregation, God continued to pour out His blessings. He granted me a wife who has stood by my side, persevering in faith and devotion, as we together served Christ in His church. Through the years, He has blessed us with three children, each now married and blessed with children of their own. And by His grace, we, as a family, have been given the privilege to serve the Lord full-time in various ministries, both locally and overseas.

Yet, beyond our immediate family, we rejoice in the greater family God has given us in GBPC. This church has been a place where we have received the warmth of His love and care, where we have been edified in the truths of His Word, and where we have co-laboured with dear brethren for the salvation of more souls and the furtherance of His glorious Gospel.

As we reflect on God’s goodness, let us be encouraged by His promise in Hebrews 6:10, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Our labour in the Lord is never in vain, and He is ever faithful to remember the sacrifices made for His name’s sake. To God be all the glory, honour, and praise. Amen.

READ:

Psalm 27:13

¹³ I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

EXHORTATION:

This testimony of David shows how important it is for God’s children to keep their confidence and hope in the LORD’s goodness, even when they are in the midst of hostility. David was in a terrible condition of mind because of his enemies’ concerted efforts to destroy him. So he cried unto God, in the previous verse, saying, “Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty” (Psalm 27:12).

When numerous, formidable enemies surrounded him, David’s only assurance was that the Lord would be good to him. He believed that God would uphold him and would deliver him from the devices of the wicked men.

It was David’s faith in the LORD’s goodness that strengthened his heart to endure his intimidating circumstances. His remembrance of God’s goodness inspired courage and awakened fortitude in him. In a time of perplexity and trial, he had confidence in God, and believed that He would uphold his weakened heart and hands. He believed that God would permit him to see the evidence of His goodness and mercy while yet on earth. It granted his troubled soul nerves of steel to press on, and trust in God to conjure up victory out of seeming defeat.

Our hearts can faint if we do not put our trust and hope in the LORD’s goodness. When the heart is dejected, it would refuse to believe that there will be deliverance and blessings. The best cure for such devastating pessimism is our hope in the LORD’s goodness. If we believe, first and foremost, that the Lord is good to all who trust in Him, our souls shall find strength to hold off the assault of doubt and pessimism.

Our Christian life must be full of persistent belief in God’s goodness. In our enterprises for God, in the midst of our inward conflicts and our fears, as well as in times of our victories and prosperity, our only safeguard is to believe in His goodness. Only faith in the LORD’s goodness can excite our hearts to the most courageous of actions of faith. Such confidence in the LORD would arouse the most holy and earnest passions within us. It would help us to be diligent and prevent us from falling short of all that is expected of us as God’s servants.

READ:

1 Peter 5:7

⁷ Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

EXHORTATION:

Christians have great hope of exaltation at Christ’s coming, which is yet future. What about the humbling ordeals in their life on earth? Well, 1 Peter 5:7 avows that God will abide with them as their support in their humbling circumstances. Early Christians suffered much humiliation and debilitating circumstances. Because of their faith in Christ, they suffered loss of family standing, loss of friends, loss of status and respect, loss of their livelihood and, in extreme cases, loss of even their lives. These were real experiences of Christians of Asia Minor in those days. Certainly, many of them also experienced other disappointing and disheartening situations, such as what you and I face in our lives today.

The Greek word for “care” (mérimna) refers to the feeling of anxiety or dread in view of dangers or misfortune that have occurred. Such feelings would have a debilitating effect on our lives. Therefore, Peter urges us to cast our cares on God. We are not to allow our minds to become selfpitying or self-condemning. Whether they be cares caused by trials or by our sins, let us lay all upon our Lord who, in His mercy and love, cares for us. We must not try and handle them on our own. We must place all our cares, whether big or small, in the Lord’s hand, knowing that He cares for us and will manage all our problems according to His eternal power and wisdom. Each time a new burden arises, turn it over to Him in prayer.

Peter himself had full knowledge that the Lord cared for him. Jesus called Peter to follow Him (Matthew 4:18-20), healed his mother-in-law (Mark 1:29-31), gave him a big catch of fish (Luke 5:1-11), sharply rebuked and corrected him (Matthew 16:21-25), helped him pay his tribute or tax (Matthew 17:24-27), rescued him from sinking into the sea and rebuked his “little faith” (Matthew 14:22-33), prayed for the protection of his faith which was under attack by Satan, who had desired to sift him like wheat (Luke 22:31-32), healed the ear of Malchus which he had severed (Luke 22:50-51; John 18:10-11), and also delivered him from prison (Acts 12). Peter had experienced firsthand the goodness of the Lord in such great abundance that he had no qualms in exhorting us to cast all our burdens on the Lord.

The Lord is neither unaware nor unconcerned about what His people are going through. He will support them and help them so that they may serve Him with joy of heart.

 

READ:

Matthew 6:33

³³ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

EXHORTATION:

Instead of being preoccupied with material provision for our daily lives, we are exhorted here by the Lord Jesus Christ to make God’s kingdom and His righteousness our primary object of attention. We must be deliberate to give preference to spiritual matters over worldly matters. Nothing should be allowed to take precedence over our commitment to seek the spiritual and moral excellence in our lives. Moreover, we must exert great care and diligence to live a consecrated life to God. It must be our chief business on earth. Our hearts, minds and bodies must be wholly dedicated to fulfilling our spiritual duties, both in public and in private.

There are those who seek to be religious for the sake of material gain. They appear to be very prayerful and devout. But let us not forget that the first things in their lives are not what they appear to do, but the motive of their hearts. When piety is expressed for temporal advantage, it is not the kingdom of God that is first sought after, but the material gain. Therefore they seek first the temporal advantages.

Let not our hearts be deceived into making spiritual matters subservient to earthly matters. Let us not seek God and His kingdom so as to become wealthier and healthier. In fact, we must let all our pursuits in life be subservient to our desire for God, His kingdom and His righteousness. Whatever be our engagements in life, we must remember that we have a higher goal. And in whatever relationship we have with men, we should never forget that we have a greater commitment to God.

We are specifically instructed by our Lord to seek first “the kingdom of God”. What is the kingdom of God? It is to have Him reign over our hearts. His will must be our highest concern. Our prayer always ought to be: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). It is also to serve Him in His kingdom. The Lord exercises His authority and will today through His church. So, we must serve the Lord in His church to exalt His greatness. We must give ourselves to the extension of His kingdom through the preaching of the Gospel. We must also live in obedience to His Word to promote His righteousness. Let us also look forward to His coming as King of kings. If these are our chief concerns of life, the Lord promises to take care of all our needs.

READ:

Matthew 6:31

³¹ Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

EXHORTATION:

Often we are very concerned about what we shall eat, drink or clothe ourselves with. Such concerns about our mundane provisions have seldom been thought of as an evil matter. But our Lord Jesus reproves us for being anxious about the provision of even basic necessities. If the Lord prohibits anxiety about gaining such essential things for our life, how much more condemnable would be our craving for luxuries of life. Uneasiness and displeasure created by an inordinate desire for material extravagance would surely be severely condemned by our Lord.

God’s children should live in quiet dependence and confidence in Him. This quiet dependence on God translates into our happiness, usefulness, strength and security. There are great spiritual advantages in not being fretful over our daily provisions but trusting God for them. When we depend on Him for our daily supplies, we will find ourselves strengthened and growing in faith. We will also experience greater confidence and courage to attempt great things which God would have us to undertake.

There is no advantage in excessive carefulness. Worrying not only destroys our happiness, but also proves us to be without faith and confidence in the goodness of our Lord. It will also lead us to many evils, such as bitterness, murmuring, covetousness, jealousy, envy and theft. Anxiety does us harm. It can numb our minds from conducting ourselves wisely, and push us into hurtful imaginations, speech and behaviour.

Christians ought to rely on God’s Fatherly care. They must exercise confidence in God and expect that He will bestow upon them whatever is necessary for them. If they do not constantly teach their hearts to look to God for help and provisions, they will fall into despair and gloom.

Brethren, believe in God’s promises and dispel your anxiety. If you truly believe in the goodness and faithfulness of God, you will not be tormented by unnecessary anxiety. It is incongruent to say that you believe in God and His promises, and yet worry whether He would grant you what He promises. The Lord forbids all His people from being anxious. Instead, He wants you to trust Him to protect you and provide for you. Remind yourself of God’s goodness and faithfulness, and stay happy in Him. Why worry when you can trust and pray to an ever-benevolent God?

 

READ:

Psalms 34:4

² I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

EXHORTATION:

The title of Psalm 34 indicates that it is “A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.” That particular incident is described in 1 Samuel 21:10-15. Being pursued by a very jealous and angry King Saul, David knew his life was in danger and ran away to Achish, the Philistine king of Gath. (By the way, Achish is referred to as Abimelech in this psalm’s title as Philistine kings were commonly known by that designation.) Despite trying to conceal his identity, David was soon recognised by Abimelech and his people, who said, “did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?” (1 Samuel 21:11). David was apprehensive that he might be betrayed and be delivered up by Abimelech to Saul, so he resorted to pretending to be mad, supposing that this would win pity and protection from Abimelech. However, Abimelech was unwilling to provide asylum to a madman; David soon left him, and sought refuge in the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 21:15; 22:1). In this psalm, David expresses thanksgiving and praise to God for being his help and deliverer. So he said, “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

This fact tells us that David depended wholly on the LORD in his trouble. His heart was obviously ill at ease in those days, constantly devising ways of escape from his trouble. But he had not forgotten to seek the LORD, whom he trusted. Though his strategies were imperfect, he looked to the LORD in his difficulty. He earnestly and diligently sought the LORD in quiet, private prayers for divine protection and strengthening. Half the trouble is gone when God’s servant seeks Him in his troubles. In prayer, he can look to God for guidance, and submit his every thought and device to find the resolve to wade through all the overwhelming problems.

David here testifies that “he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” His prayers had helped to silence his fears, enabling him to leave his case with the LORD and wait for His deliverance with great composure. David was a great man of endurance and fortitude because he was a man of prayer. Prayer helps us to calm our frightened, anxious souls. The more we dwell on our troubles, the more fearful we become. But if we turn to and commune with God in our prayers, He blesses with His presence and we shall find freedom from the grip of fear. The presence of God is the best remedy to our disquietude and fear.

READ:

James 1:20

²⁰ For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

EXHORTATION:

Here we are given the reason for James’ earlier admonition that every Christian ought to be slow to wrath. “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”

A great number of Christians are in need of this reminder, for many seem to be ignorant of this truth or have conveniently forgotten about it. Christians so often foolishly fly into a rage without having full understanding of a matter, or worse, after having misunderstood or misjudged a matter. One’s impatience and ungoverned temper often numb his mind from exercising proper reasoning and righteous judgment. A volatile temperament will also certainly hinder one from exercising Christian graces such as patience, mercy and forgiveness.

Every Christian ought to take seriously the caution that “the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God”. Scripture does teach us abundantly how the wrath of man works against the righteousness of God. Proverbs 27:4 warns us that “wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous”. When anger is unchecked, it produces merciless and hurtful conduct. The anger kept within the heart will soon become uncontrollable, suddenly ventilating itself by yelling at others, shouting insults and vulgarities, hurting and injuring others, throwing things around and destroying them, etc.

Proverbs 15:18 states, “A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.” A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension and easily picks up a fight. In this proverb, he is set against the peacemaker, which demonstrates how quarrelsome an angry person could be. Anger and hatred will cause strife in the family or at the workplace or in the church (cf. Proverbs 10:12; 29:22).

Proverbs 29:22b points out that “a furious man aboundeth in transgression.” There is no stopping the offences by an angry person. Mischief will flow from an angry, passionate, furious disposition. Furthermore, “He that is soon angry”, warns Proverbs 14:17, “dealeth foolishly”. Verse 29 of Proverbs 14 affirms this fact by pointedly declaring that “he that is hasty of spirit (i.e. to anger) exalteth folly.” So let us restrain our wrath at once, and refrain from sin.