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READ:

1 Peter 5:5a

^5a Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder.

EXHORTATION:

The apostle Peter requires the younger believers to submit unto “the elder”. Apparently, such submission to “the elder” is with respect to the latter’s age as well as office in the church.

It is not uncommon to hear of young men viewing older folks as outdated and outworn. Young people tend to spurn the ideas and suggestions of older men. They show frustration with older men’s cautious and patient approach to matters; they even judge the latter to be slothful or obstructive. To add insult to injury, some young people seem to have lost all proper manners, behaving rudely and crudely towards elder Christians. Such uncouth, impudent conduct runs counter to the divine counsels.

Scripture demands that young men must show respect unto the elder. “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:32). Reverence for the elderly must be inculcated as being part of the fear of God. If we fear God and keep His commandments, then we must also show respect and submission to the elder.

Young people must realise that years of learning and experience will have added greater wisdom and understanding to a godly elder. Indeed, “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31). So, there is much wisdom in submitting to a godly elder. Respect for age is not only good manners, it also constitutes wise and godly conduct as taught in God’s Word.

Godly and pious aged men can be a great source of wise counsels and guidance. Having accumulated years of experience, they are qualified to be young people’s advisers and guides. Their biblical instructions should not be rejected. In fact, it is to the young people’s advantage that God has provided them with godly elders in the church. They should not only show respect, but should also diligently seek and follow their wise counsels.

What if an elder is wrong? What if he has spoken or acted unwisely? 1 Timothy 5:1 advises us to “rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father”. We must not adopt a harsh, crude manner when we correct him. Rather, we must with meekness persuade him. We must appeal to his mind, showing politeness and respect due unto a father.

Romans 12:1 exhorts, “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.”

The opening chapters of Romans (1-11) unveil a breathtaking panorama of God’s gracious redemptive plan. The magnificent display of divine benevolence that gives us His great salvation compels a response. Gratitude alone is insufficient. The apostle Paul insists that consecration, the total surrender of our lives to God, is the only fitting response.

Paul’s directive in Romans 12:1 is clear: we are to “present” our “bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God”. He also says it is our “reasonable service”, or proper spiritual worship. The Greek word for “present”, which is “paristemi”, conveys ideas such as “stand by”, “offer yourself”, “yield something”, or “place something at one’s disposal”. To “present your bodies” means to make yourself available and ready for God’s use.

There is a misconception among some that salvation solely concerns the soul, leaving the body free for worldly pursuits. This is a dangerous oversimplification. Our physical existence is an integral part of our being, and as such, it must also be dedicated to God. A life divided between spiritual devotion and worldly indulgence is contradictory. True consecration demands the surrender of our entire being, both body and soul.

This sacred offering includes every part of our bodies —eyes, ears, hands, feet, etc. Are our eyes focused on what honours God, or are they consumed by worldly distractions? Do our eyes see things that are not godly in the mobile phone you hold in your hands? Do our ears listen to music and conversations that uplift the soul, or are they polluted by harmful influences? Are our bodies adorned in a manner that reflects our identity as God’s children, or are they clothed in immodest apparel? And where do our steps lead us — towards a life of holiness or a path of compromise and sin?

Paul urges us to “present your bodies a living sacrifice”. In the Old Testament, animal sacrifices involved slaughtering the animal and placing its lifeless body on the altar. Today, we are called to present ourselves as living sacrifices on the altar of God’s service. Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross grants us salvation and renewed life in Him to serve God. Our lives are redeemed to live as an offering to God’s glory.

Have you dedicated your body solely to God? You should desire that your body be used exclusively for the Lord’s glory and His divine will. We should not lift a finger unless it is for the Lord’s glory. Whenever you allow your body to be used outside of God’s will, you are effectively yielding it to an ungodly thought or person, or the world, or the devil. So, let our mouths offer praises and thanksgiving, our hands generously support God’s work, our legs follow where He leads, our eyes study the Scriptures and delve into His Word, and our ears listen to His teachings and godly music. By doing such things, we present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and surrendered to God.

From Despair to Devotion

A Testimony by Tan Yeh Wen

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

A few weeks have passed since the end of the Missionary Conference, but it has allowed me time to reflect on the events that took place. It would be inappropriate of me to withhold mentioning the incredible testimony from the Lord that no human could orchestrate.

When Pr Cornelius first proposed the idea of having a Cantata for the Missionary Conference, I was thrilled. I knew there would be challenges, but given how God had sustained my family through previous experiences, I was thrilled at the opportunity to serve Him!

Once the plan was confirmed, all involved put in much effort, but the process wasn’t without its challenges. Yocheved and Hua See fell ill at different times, leading to Hua See missing some of the practice sessions.

Furthermore, our initial plan to provide the combined choir with a new set of scores was unexpectedly thwarted. To make matters worse, Yocheved developed Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (HFMD) the week before church camp. The situation mirrored the challenges we faced in December 2023, when COVID affected my family while we were involved in the Youth Choir’s Christmas Carols presentation in the Philippines. Fear began to creep into my heart. Nevertheless, with the support and prayers of our fellow brethren, though after much internal struggle, I decided to attend the Missionary Conference with my family, taking all necessary precautions to avoid contact with others. I am grateful to everyone who helped make arrangements so that we could be there and listen to the messages.

While there, I had hoped that Yocheved’s illness would resolve quickly, so our whole family could share the Lord’s goodness with the brethren. However, on Tuesday evening, I was also diagnosed with HFMD. To ensure everyone’s safety, I chose not to attend the Missionary Conference meetings, and isolated myself completely from all other participants.

How disheartening it was to be plunged into despair after being so hopeful! Were all my efforts in vain? The situation felt overwhelming and distressing, and I struggled against murmurs of complaint taking hold of me. Thankfully, God helped me resist those feelings. How could I question God’s providential plan? Here is an excerpt from a message I sent to my fellow conductors: “As I worked leading up to this missionary conference, I had to arrange the piece ‘God Moves in a Mysterious Way.’ Truly, God’s ways are mysterious, and this time of ‘dark’ providence is no exception…”

The following day, Rev. Donald dela Cruz’s message deeply resonated with me, providing much-needed clarity on the situation. Here is a summary of a message I shared with the choir: “…John 3:30 – ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’ Like Paul, my heart prayed for God to remove my afflictions from me if He be pleased. Like Paul, God has answered me, not as I intended, but in His way… Let God take all glory in my sufferings (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:9).”

Through his message, I was led to understand three key points: 1) God might be using me as an example to those who would face similar challenges as mine; 2) to glory in God alone and not seek personal exaltation; 3) the ultimate reward is that God is magnified, above all else. I found peace when I finally grasped what God intended to accomplish through me! In the light of this, my absence from performing and the anticipated joy of presenting music seemed insignificant, compared to the glory God has revealed. Indeed, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me” (Psalm 103:1)!

I eagerly watched the choir’s webcast, filled with peace from the hotel room. Their performance was admirable. Indeed, the hymns, “I’d Rather Have Jesus” and “Hymn of Dedication and Service”, resonated deeply with me – causing me to question if I’d truly served for God’s glory or personal acclaim. As a full-time worker, should I seek comfort or relentless service? I pray for a heart of joyful surrender, always remembering His glory. Whenever I am tempted to murmur or complain about my service to Him, may I be reminded that I should joyfully surrender to His gracious and wonderful will!

Sermon Text: Psalm 85
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 18th August 2024

READ:

1 Peter 2:17

¹⁷ Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

EXHORTATION:

The apostle Peter here instructs Christians on their conduct in society. Though Christians are free in the Lord Jesus Christ, they must not act irresponsibly in the communities which God has placed them in. In the preceding verse, Peter exhorted: “As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” To guide Christians in their proper conduct as God’s servants in their respective communities, Peter gives them four rules of conduct.

Firstly, Peter commands Christians to “honour all men”. Believers must treat every person with dignity and respect. Respect and honour must be accorded to even unbelievers as human beings. We must recognise the worth of all human beings in God’s sight and live so as to attract them to faith in Christ. A contemptuous disposition will not help us in our efforts to win them for Christ. The poor and the afflicted in society must not be despised. Proverbs 17:5 says, “Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.”

Secondly, Christians are commanded to “love the brotherhood”. All human beings should be respected, but there is a special bond among fellow believers. Christians are not only brethren, but a brotherhood, i.e. one body in Christ. Christians are a fraternity united in Christ. We gather in the church as members of one family with a special fraternal affection for one another. Loving the brotherhood of believers is our duty and privilege. Loving and being loved fortify every Christian as he lives in a world of many temptations and trials. A sympathetic demeanour towards fellow Christians is crucial to Christian camaraderie and advancement.

Thirdly, Christians are taught to “fear God”. The highest reverence and total submission must be due unto our God at all times. If this be found wanting, none of the other three duties can be performed rightly. As Ecclesiastes 12:13 tells us, “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

Finally, Christians are commanded to “honour the king”. Early Christians were commanded to respect the Roman emperor Nero’s authority though they could not but loathe his crimes. Christians must give due honour to those who rule the country. We may not agree with their beliefs and practices, but we must honour them for their office’s sake.

READ:

Psalm 112:1

¹ Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

EXHORTATION:

This psalm begins with the sound of great joy and worship: “Praise ye the LORD”. The Hebrew word translated here as “Praise ye the LORD” is Hallelujah. In fact, it is a call or a command to God’s people to praise the LORD. It is a call to worship the LORD.

It is our duty as God’s people to encourage one another to praise the LORD, for He is worthy of our praise. “Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee” (Psalm 67:3, 5). The LORD always deserves praise, so we ought always to render it. Let us not be forgetful to praise the LORD; it is always good to be stirred up to praise the LORD.

God’s people must praise the LORD that there is always a remnant group of people who fear Him and obey His Word in this world of rebellion and wickedness. Everyone who praises God is a blessed individual.

The word “blessed” denotes spiritual happiness. True happiness belongs to those who fear the LORD. Reverential worship and joyful obedience to God are the hallmarks of those who fear the LORD. Lives that are fully centred on the worship of God will exhibit great joy. The fear of the LORD will keep the corruptions and shame of sin out of their lives, as well as keep them pure and happy in His presence.

Those who fear the LORD will have His wisdom to lead them away from all the perils of sin and ungodliness. Their reverential approach to the Word of God will fill them with its eternal wisdom and truth. They take great pleasure in the commandments of the LORD, unlike those who grudgingly approach the Word. Therefore, their lives will be filled with the goodness and blessings of His counsels.

The lives of those who fear the LORD and delight themselves in the Word of God will be filled with divine blessings. As Psalm 111:10 says, “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.”

The tragedy of those who do not fear the LORD is that they walk according to the follies of their sinful hearts. Because they despise God’s Word, they will be without the light of His wisdom. Conversely, those who fear the LORD and delight in His Word will be filled with joy and praise unto Him.

READ:

Job 28:28

²⁸ And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

EXHORTATION:

Job was, according to God’s testimony, “one that feared God, and eschewed evil” (Job 1:1, 8; 2:3). However, Satan challenged the genuineness of Job’s fear of God, saying, “Doth Job fear God for nought?” Satan was suggesting that the reason for Job’s fear of God was the divine protection and blessings he enjoyed; but if God would remove His protection, Job would deny God. Similarly, Job’s friends also accused him of not having the fear of God. One of them said to Job, “Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God” (Job 15:4). But the truth of the matter was Job feared God and hated evil, and his accusers did not! Therefore he, not they, had wisdom and understanding.

According to the verse for today, Job held firm in his conviction that the essence of God’s message to man is that the fear of the LORD secures wisdom and holiness for oneself. One’s wisdom and holiness are not based on one’s cleverness or power of reasoning. In fact, Scripture warns us, “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil” (Proverbs 3:7). This is a strong prohibition against intellectual pride which promotes self-sufficiency, self-conceit and self-reliance. To be self-contented with one’s own wisdom will cause a person to forsake and forget the LORD, who is the source of true wisdom. To trust in oneself and one’s own wisdom is a terrible folly. God denounces this attitude in Isaiah 5:21, saying, “Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” Proverbs 26:12 also vehemently condemns self-conceit: “Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.” Likewise, Proverbs 28:26 cautions: “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool”. No man is wise enough to conduct all the affairs of his life by his own knowledge and discretion.

Far from being confident about our own thoughts and ideas, we must examine their genuineness, motive, accuracy, etc. We must not accept them without first evaluating them under the light of God’s perfect wisdom as revealed in His Word. We must always be predisposed to referring all our thoughts to God first. We must fear the LORD as such fear is the best corrective to our own wisdom, which engenders arrogance, presumptuousness of mind, self-deception and proneness to sin. The wisdom coming from the fear of the LORD always teaches us to resist sin.

READ:

Proverbs 1:7

⁷ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

EXHORTATION:

The fear of the LORD is not just an initial attitude necessary for obtaining wisdom. Neither is it represented as an attitude that can be ignored later in life. It is expected to be a permanent attitude, as it is always a prerequisite for wise living.

Though the word “fear” is often used in a negative sense, it is also portrayed in the Scriptures as a positive attitude that we must have towards God. While the phrase “the fear of the LORD” denotes the sense of dread and terror of His wrath against sin and rebellion, it also denotes the idea of reverence, worship, submission and filial confidence that His people expresses towards His greatness and glory. So, “the fear of the LORD” indicates the right attitude of heart towards God, as opposed to the unbelieving and disobedient attitude towards Him.

“The fear of the LORD” is then the reverential attitude that keeps us submissive to the LORD, and away from all wickedness which He hates. The covenant name of God, “the LORD”, in the phrase further enhances this understanding, for it demands a reverential, submissive, loyal response from His people.

We are urged in Proverbs 23:17 to maintain the fear of the LORD all through the day – “but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.” The fear of the LORD must be a habitual influence upon our thoughts, ambitions, relationships, communications and activities. This holy frame of mind should characterise us in all of our lives’ private and public affairs all the day long, not just during times of prayer and worship.

When we fear the LORD, our minds will be attuned to the good and perfect will of God. It will keep us in reverence of His Word, which is the source of His wisdom, truth and power for our daily Christian living. It will restrain us from the follies and corruptions that accompany all defiant and godless minds. It will direct us to all good and glorious virtues that are promoted by God’s wisdom. Hence, the fear of the LORD is the root of wise conduct and right living. Only a fool would think that fearing the LORD is unwise; only a fool would show his contempt for divine wisdom and truth. Not to fear God is to wallow in the corruption and foolishness of a defiant, unbelieving, unrestrained and disobedient mind.

READ:

Romans 12:16b

^16b Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

EXHORTATION:

Having commanded Christians to “Be of the same mind one toward another”, the apostle Paul then further advises them on how to maintain such a harmonious co-existence with fellow Christians. According to this apostolic advice, the Christian unity within the church is largely dependent on how each would think of himself in relation to others.

Hence Christians are told: “Mind not high things”. In other words, no Christian should be thinking of high things for himself. Seeking or aspiring honour, rank, wealth, company of wealthy men, etc. would lead to self-aggrandisement at the expense of others. Being too ambitious prevents one from accepting humble positions and tasks for the glory of God and for the betterment of others. Being high-minded or snobbish prevents one from stooping down to serve ordinary people or those who are of low degree. Thinking too highly of oneself can lead one to despise others and even to engage in “smear campaigns” to damage others’ reputations.

Every Christian ought to be humble and not try to grasp things which are out of his reach, or too high for him, or beyond his capacity. In order to serve everyone equally, he has to get off his “high horse” and get low to attend to their needs. We are also advised to “condescend to men of low estate”. We must not disdain to take notice of, or greet, or commune with, men of lowly (temporal or spiritual) condition. We must make special efforts to humbly mingle with the lowly.

Moreover, we are also warned to “be not wise in your own conceits”. No one should conduct himself as though he has all the wisdom while others have none. It is ungodly to think of oneself as socially and intellectually superior to others. Such an one is not so in the eyes of God and others. Self-conceit is often attended with bad consequences. It spoils a man’s usefulness and prevents his improvement in knowledge. It induces him to reject wise counsels given to him and to treat fellow Christians contemptuously, eventually bringing shame and pain upon himself. Proverbs 3:7 warns us, “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” Likewise, Isaiah 5:21 cautions: “Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” So, let us avoid being wise in our own minds.

READ:

Romans 12:16a

^16a Be of the same mind one toward another.

EXHORTATION:

The original Greek words used by the apostle Paul can also be translated as “thinking the same thing to one another”. It is not an exhortation to think on the same thing, but a call to think of everybody in the same way. We must treat everyone equally. In the church, we are not to show favouritism or to prefer one group over another.

The church should not be divided along racial or cultural or economical or educational lines. The church must be united, irrespective of the differences in members’ backgrounds. The church is a place where people of diverse backgrounds ought to come together as God’s people united in truth and love. Every member of the church must sincerely endeavour to communicate with other members of the church with respect and love.

Paul exhorted the Philippian church, “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27). Paul also instructed them, “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:2).

Major causes of disunity and conflict within a church (though she may be united in doctrine and purpose) can be traced to sin, pride, selfcentredness, selfishness, anger, bitterness, jealousy, competitive spirit, power play, unforgiveness, vengeance, etc. We must guard our hearts against all these destructive feelings and conduct, lest we become vehicles of schism within the church.

Internal discord is shattering to the church. Every church member must have a commitment to peace and unity within the church. Each of us must strive to be a peacemaker. We must pray that we will not be a troublemaker. A sincere commitment to forgiveness and reconciliation must characterise every Christian. The apostle Peter instructed in 1 Peter 3:11, “Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.” We must not let unhappiness and hurt caused by others to grow into bitterness and vengeful behaviour. We must pursue the path of love, forgiveness and reconciliation. Likewise, we must cease from being jealous of and hostile to those whom God has been using increasingly. Let us pray that God will make us promoters of godly unity in the church.

READ:

Romans 12:15

¹⁵ Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

EXHORTATION:

The church being one, there should be common empathy in both sad and joyful experiences of her members. In 1 Corinthians 12:26, Paul said, “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” Likewise, in Philippians 2:4, Paul exhorts, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” We must show friendly concern in the good and ill that happens to other persons. Our mutual interest in members’ happiness and sorrow would enhance the bond of fellowship in the church. Two aspects are involved here.

Firstly, we are exhorted to “Rejoice with them that do rejoice”. We must truly rejoice at the well-being of fellow brethren. We should not frown at the heartfelt and godly rejoicing of those who have been endowed with good providence. Disapproving or condemning such divinely favoured joy is not befitting of a Christian. We should appreciate their happiness and share in their joy with appropriate words and actions. It is the Christians’ duty to spread happiness and God-given enjoyments everywhere.

Here are some biblical examples of “Rejoice with them that do rejoice”. In Luke 1:57-58, we read, “Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.” Jesus also spoke of a woman who found her lost silver coin and then “calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost” (Luke 15:9). It must be our joy to participate in others’ rejoicing, and also to welcome others to participate in our joys.

Secondly, we are exhorted to “weep with them that weep”. Sympathising with those who are afflicted and grieving is a solemn act of true Christian charity. Inability to grieve for another’s misfortune is both unfeeling and unchristian. A strong warning is further given against gloating over others’ misfortune in Proverbs 17:5, “Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.”

Be that as it may, this exhortation to mutual encouragement does not sanction Christians’ participation in sinful mirth or inconsolable mourning; it pertains only to just and reasonable joy and sorrow of fellow believers.