Sermon Text: Psalm 134 & 135
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 17th May 2026
Sermon Text: Psalm 134 & 135
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 17th May 2026
Acts 4:31—“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”
The context of this passage was a time of mounting persecution against the early church. Peter and John had been threatened by the Jewish rulers for preaching Christ crucified and risen. Yet instead of retreating in fear, the believers gathered together in prayer. They did not pray first for safety, comfort, or escape from suffering. Rather, they prayed, “Lord… grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word” (Acts 4:29). Their great concern was the faithful proclamation of Christ.
The Lord answered immediately and powerfully. “The place was shaken where they were assembled together”. This shaking was not mere emotional excitement but a divine testimony that God had heard and approved their prayer. Throughout Scripture, physical shaking often accompanied manifestations of God’s glorious presence and power (Exodus 19:18). More importantly, “they were all filled with the Holy Ghost”. This does not refer to a new indwelling of the Spirit, for these believers already belonged to Christ. Rather, it speaks of a fresh empowering and strengthening for holy service and courageous witness.
The result was unmistakable: “they spake the word of God with boldness”. True spiritual fullness does not lead to self-exaltation or disorder but to fearless proclamation of divine truth. The Spirit magnifies Christ and emboldens His servants.
We are reminded that spiritual courage and bold witness are the fruit of prayer. Weak prayer meetings often produce weak witness. But when believers unite in earnest dependence upon God, He strengthens hearts for faithful testimony. In an age of compromise and fear, the church must again seek the Spirit’s enabling through prayer, that the Word of God may be spoken with holy boldness and unwavering conviction. If the early church prayed until they were filled with holy boldness, should we not ask whether our lack of courage in witnessing reveals a lack of earnest, Spirit-dependent prayer?
Acts 4:12—“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”.
These words were boldly proclaimed by the Apostle Peter before the Jewish rulers shortly after the healing of the lame man at the temple gate. The religious leaders sought to silence the apostles, yet Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 4:8), fearlessly testified that the miracle was accomplished through “Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead” (Acts 4:10). In a hostile setting, Peter declared the absolute exclusivity of salvation through Christ alone.
This verse is one of the clearest statements in all Scripture concerning the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. “Neither is there salvation in any other”. Salvation from sin, guilt, condemnation, and eternal judgment cannot be found in religion, morality, ceremonies, philosophy, or human effort.
If there is “none other name”, then the name of Jesus is entirely enough. No church, preacher, saint, or earthly mediator can save the soul. Christ alone is the divinely appointed Saviour. As Jesus Himself declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
The phrase “whereby we must be saved” reveals both divine necessity and human urgency. Man is not merely spiritually weak but spiritually lost and condemned apart from Christ. Salvation is not optional advice but an absolute necessity for every sinner.
It comforts us because the saving name of Jesus is sufficient for the vilest sinner who comes in repentance and faith. Though we can contribute nothing to our salvation, this truth both humbles and comforts us. Moreover, in a world filled with confusion and religious pluralism, the church must lovingly but firmly proclaim Christ alone as the only Saviour. Let us therefore trust wholly in Him and unashamedly make known His saving name to others.
Hebrews 1:8—“But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.”
Hebrews 1 was written to exalt the absolute supremacy of Jesus Christ above all created beings, especially the angels. The author counters the distorted thinking that Jesus Christ is merely a high-ranking angel or a created being. Using the Old Testament as a divine legal brief, the author reaches a Christological crescendo in verse 8: “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.”
This passage is a quotation of Psalm 45:6–7. Theologically, it offers one of the most explicit declarations of Christ's Deity in the New Testament. Note that it is the Father speaking to the Son, addressing Him as “O God” (Greek, Ho Theos). This isn't a title of honour given to a man; it is an acknowledgement of His divine nature.
It is one of the clearest testimonies in Scripture to the deity of Christ. Jesus is not merely a teacher, prophet, or exalted servant. He is the eternal King whose throne can never be shaken, diminished, or overthrown.
The throne speaks of sovereign authority, while the sceptre signifies royal rule. Yet the distinguishing mark of Christ’s kingdom is this: “a sceptre of righteousness”. Earthly kingdoms are often stained by corruption, injustice, oppression, and human pride. But Christ reigns in perfect holiness, truth, justice, and purity. Psalm 45:6–7, from which Hebrews quotes, reminds us that the Messiah “lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness”. His reign is morally perfect because His nature is perfectly holy.
What comfort this gives to believers living in a confused and sinful world! Governments change, societies decay, and human leaders fail, but Christ’s throne is “for ever and ever”. His righteous rule shall never end. Therefore, Christians need not despair when evil appears strong. The King upon the eternal throne governs all things wisely and righteously.
Hebrews 1:3—“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
In this soaring Christological declaration, the writer of Hebrews presents Jesus not merely as a messenger but as the ultimate revelation of God. Contextually, this was written to Jewish believers tempted to retreat into the shadows of the Old Covenant. The author counters this by showing that Christ is the substance that the shadows prefigured.
Two phrases of this verse define Christ’s nature. First, He is “the brightness of His glory”. He is the radiant outshining of God’s own glory, not a reflection but the very effulgence of the divine nature. Christ is the out-raying (brightness: apaugasma) of the Father's essence. To see Jesus is to see God in His full radiance. Second, He is the express image of His Person”. The Greek charaktēr refers to an exact imprint, like a seal pressed into wax. Jesus is the precise representation of God’s invisible being.
Furthermore, Christ’s Sovereignty and Sufficiency are defined. He “upholds all things”. He sustains all things. The universe is not a runaway clock but is sustained by His “word of power”. It is not self-sustaining; it is upheld, moment by moment, by Christ.
Yet, this cosmic Ruler is also our Priest. Having “by himself purged our sins”, He has accomplished the work that animal sacrifices could never fully accomplish. This points to the sufficiency and finality of His atoning sacrifice. He needed no assistance; He accomplished redemption alone (Isaiah 63:3).
Finally, “he sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high”, signifying the completion of His work and His exaltation in supreme authority. In the ancient Tabernacle, there were no chairs because a priest’s work was never done. But Jesus sat down because the debt was paid. Are you weary from trying to “cleanse” yourself? Look to the One who has already purged your sins. Your salvation rests on the finished work of the One who holds the stars in place. Amen.
Hebrews 1:1–2—“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.”
The Epistle to the Hebrews opens not with a greeting, but with a grand theological declaration. The author addresses a community tempted to retreat into the familiar ceremonies of the Old Covenant. By contrasting “time past” with “these last days”, the text establishes a timeline of progressive revelation. While the “sundry times” (various periods) and “divers manners” (visions, voices, types, symbols, etc.) were indeed true and divinely given, they were nevertheless partial and incomplete in their revelation. They were but preparatory and shadows of the fullness that has now been revealed.
These verses present the Supremacy of Christ as the definitive, perfect Word of God. The shift is from “the prophets” to “the Son”. Christ is no mere addition to the prophetic line, but the definitive and crowning disclosure of God Himself. Christ is both the Messenger and the Message: the perfect expression of God’s mind (John 1:18). He is “appointed heir of all things,” affirming His sovereign authority, and “by whom also he made the worlds”, declaring His eternal deity and creative power.
The prophets spoke God’s word; Christ is the Word (John 1:1). There is no higher voice, no further revelation beyond Him. People often search for “sundry” signs or “divers” feelings to confirm God’s presence. Many look for new revelations or mystical experiences to steady their faith. However, Hebrews anchors us in the finished work of the Son. If you want to know what God is saying, look at Jesus.
Listen to Christ with reverence and obedience. In a world of many voices, God has spoken decisively through His Son. The question is not whether God has spoken, but whether we trust and follow Christ and His Word. To neglect His Son is to reject God’s final word. Therefore, let us receive, trust, and submit to Christ, in whom God has fully and graciously revealed Himself.
Joel 2:23—“Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.”
Following the call to “rend the heart”, Joel shifts from the “howl” of judgment to the “hymn” of restoration. In an agrarian society shattered by drought and locusts, rain was the ultimate sign of divine favour. The “former rain” (autumn) prepared the soil for seeding, while the “latter rain” (spring) matured the harvest. Their absence meant famine; their return meant life. Thus, this promise is not merely meteorological, but covenantal, revealing God’s renewed favour upon a repentant people.
This verse emphasises God as the Sole Provider. The Canaanites looked to Baal for rain, but Joel redirects Zion to “rejoice in the LORD your God”. His physical blessings are designed to follow a heart that has been taught to walk in His ways. The abundance of the rain is a visible seal of a restored covenant.
Seasons of loss and dryness are not final for those who turn to God. When sin has been confessed and hearts have been humbled, God delights to restore, sometimes outwardly, always spiritually. He brings renewal to barren hearts, revives cold affections, and causes fruit to grow again.
A life wasted in worldliness is not beyond recovery. If you have returned to Him in sincerity, trust His timing. Your dryness is not a permanent state; it is the stage upon which His refreshing grace will soon fall. He not only forgives but restores joy. Therefore, do not merely seek the blessings; seek the LORD. For true gladness is found not in the rain, but in the God who sends it.
Joel 2:13—“And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.”
In the Ancient Near East, tearing one‘s clothes was the ultimate outward sign of grief or horror. Following the locust plague and the threat of an invading northern army, the Jews had plenty of reasons to mourn. However, the prophet Joel delivers a strong corrective: God is unimpressed by the theatricality of torn fabric. He demands a deeper, more violent disruption of the status quo. The “rending” must move from the linen to the life; the sorrow must be internal before it can be instrumental.
God, therefore, commands something far more searching: “rend your heart”. True repentance is not ritual display, but inward brokenness before God. Psalm 51:17 says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
The call to brokenness and repentance is not based on the fear of a tyrannical God, but on the nature of The LORD Himself. Sinners must turn, for there is no restoration without it. Yet the ground of hope lies not in human sorrow, but in divine mercy. Joel echoes God’s self-revelation in Exodus 34:6 that “he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.”
We turn not because we are certain of our own goodness, but because we are certain of His. The ground of hope of forgiveness and restoration lies not in human sorrow, but in divine mercy. The phrase “repenteth him of the evil” does not suggest a change in God’s moral mind, but a change in His disposition toward a people who have changed their hearts. When the heart is rent, the judgment is bent by His mercy. For where there is genuine repentance, there is abundant mercy.
All praise and thanks to the Lord for His grace and mercy towards the Gethsemane Seniors’ Ministry. As we commemorate 21 years of God’s abundant goodness, care and faithfulness upon this ministry, our hearts are overwhelmed with joy and gladness. “O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 107:1).
This year, we rejoice that the Seniors’ Ministry had the privilege to hold a retreat on 29th April 2026. It was a blessed and spiritually enriching gathering, centred on the theme “Walking with God”. A total of 77 seniors and helpers gathered at the National Service Resort & Country Club (NSRCC) bungalow for a day of fellowship, instruction, and encouragement in the Lord.
The morning session was led by Elder Mah Chin Kwang, and all the participants sang together joyfully to praise the Lord. Our speaker, Pastor Prabhudas Koshy, expounded from Scripture on what it truly means to walk with God, drawing on the example of Enoch (Genesis 5:24). He emphasised a life marked by continual trust, communion, obedience and hope in the Lord, reminding us that our earthly life is brief and swiftly passing. The message was not only doctrinally enriching but also pastorally fitting in addressing the unique spiritual needs and challenges faced by seniors. Pr Daniel Lim joyfully interpreted the sermon for the benefit of our Mandarin-speaking brethren.
We thank God for Daniel Svasti, Thomas Tow and Francis Tan, who testified to the goodness of God in their lives in recent years. Pr Daniel and Bro Peng Kwang interpreted the testimonies. One common thread running through their testimonies was the edification and encouragement they received through the fellowship of the Seniors’ Ministry’s weekly meetings.
The retreat also provided an opportunity for non-Christian friends of our church members (who attended the retreat) to hear the Gospel from those assigned to them. The fellowship among the participants during lunch and in the post-lunch activities (e.g. games) was warm, rich with mutual encouragement. Participants were greatly refreshed by the hymn singing, sharing sessions, and times of interaction, which strengthened the bonds of Christian love among the seniors.
For the glory of God, unknown to many, much effort had gone into the smooth execution of the entire retreat. Behind the scenes were lots of hard work and logistical arrangements, as well as extensive planning by brethren who truly laboured with much love. We thank the Lord for His gracious presence throughout the retreat and for helping all who laboured to make it a pleasant and edifying event.
The Seniors’ Ministry covets your prayers, that we may live graciously for the testimony of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him” (Psalm 28:7).
Held on 1st May 2026
Apart from our own youths, about 35 non-Gethsemane youths also participated. We thank God that one youth turned to the Lord Jesus in repentance and prayer of faith at the end of the meeting. There were also youths from overseas (Malaysia, Philippines and Canada) who joined the meeting online. Let us continue to pray for all who heard the Word which Pastor Koshy expounded from Luke 12:10–21 on the topic, “A Materialistic World: A Distressed Mind”. Let us prayerfully encourage our youths to be excellent witnesses of Christ amongst their peers!
A Note from a Participant:
Hi Titus, it was truly a privilege to be sitting under faithful teaching tonight. This was a very timely reminder for me, especially being in a season of waiting that often accompanies uncertainty. I thank God for revealing my hidden sins of desiring control, and how tonight’s exhortation was a conviction that walking the way of the cross and thus gaining Christ alone is far, far more precious than the lures of this world. May God help us not to waste our lives on this side of heaven.
Sermon Text: Psalm 133
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 10th May 2026