Sermon Text: Psalm 85
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 18th August 2024
Sermon Text: Psalm 85
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 18th August 2024
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.
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!
Today, I would like to publish the gist of the sermon I preached last Tuesday, during the 19th Anniversary Thanksgiving of TGCM and prayer meeting, to benefit all the worshippers in our church. In Matthew 5:14-16, as Jesus addressed “his disciples (who) came unto him” (cf. Matt. 5:1), He declared–“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
This was Christ’s declaration concerning His dedicated followers that they are “the light of the world” (v. 14a). His point was that as He came to the world as the Light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5), His genuine followers will also act as His light in this world of darkness. Jesus came to give His light to those who “sat in darkness” and the “shadow of death” (cf. Matt 4:16; Luke 1:79). As the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:6–“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Christ, the eternal Light, illuminates us so that we may be His radiant “moons” in this dark world. Through those who have received His light, Christ desires to shine His Gospel light upon many more in this dark world. The apostle Paul echoes Christ’s will concerning all believers in Philippians 2:15-16a, “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life …”. Christians are not meant to be quiet, reserved and secluded. Rather, they must actively demonstrate their belief and dedication to Christ.
Christians are to be like a city that is set on a hill and cannot be hidden. Just as a city on a hill cannot be concealed from people’s view, no Christian can hope to live unnoticed. In encouraging believers to be beacons of God’s glorious light in a world shrouded by sin, Jesus is also cautioning them against isolation that hinders God’s glory. Jesus further emphasises this truth by noting that no one lights a candle, only to hide it under a bushel. A lit candle serves no purpose if kept out of sight; it should be placed on a candlestick to illuminate and benefit everyone. It is senseless to hide away a lit candle. A hidden candle benefits no one.
Every follower of Jesus must conduct himself in a manner observable to others, so that others may see it and praise God for it. Every life illuminated by Christ will inevitably bear the fruit of good works. The light of Christ shining through Christians will manifest as visible acts of kindness and compassion, honesty and righteousness, fairness and goodness.
Brethren, let the radiance of your Christian benevolence draw the world to God’s splendour. Our good works are not to win praise for ourselves, but to turn people’s hearts to our great God, who has made us His children so that we may be beacons of His salvation, goodness, grace, and glory.
Report by Rev. Donald dela Cruz
We are currently continuing the construction of the worship hall. We are nearing completion of the walls, which will then fully close up the worship hall. God’s provision is just on time, so we will not get wet as we worship during the coming rainy season. Praise the Lord for the love gifts we received from the Gethsemane B-P Church, Singapore, and the brethren during the Missionary Conference 2024. The sum we received is enough to construct the wall. After the walls are finished, we do not need to transfer our things, as the workers are all from the company of Dn Kyt. May the Lord help the workers as they diligently build the hall. As the Lord provides, our next target will be the toilet facility, and the way side pavement (which will be useful during the rainy season when the surrounding area becomes muddy).
The Church Session has appointed Dn Jumar as the Clerk and Dn Kyt as the Treasurer. Dn Jumar will also be in charge of the Youth Ministry, while Dn Kyt will lead the Children’s Ministry. Both ministries will be under my direct supervision. Thank God for their willingness to serve in these ministries.
The school year has opened yesterday. The group we are affiliated with for the School Missions went yesterday to meet with the principal of Mangaldan National High School, in order to confirm the schedule for teaching God’s Word on their campus. The school is the biggest secondary school in the town, with more than 8,000 students on its enrolment.
The Lord has helped us through amidst the recent two typhoons. Though there was persistent rain for 8 days, the Lord has preserved the brethren, and there was no flooding in our area. Providentially, the Lord also stopped the rain (temporarily) last Sunday so that the brethren could come for worship. All praise be unto the Lord!
Sermon Text: Psalm 84
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 11th August 2024
Sermon Text: Psalm 83
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 4th August 2024
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine” (1 Timothy 5:17).
This verse teaches us how we ought to regard the elders, who are the officers of the church. Elders are ordained by God to oversee or supervise the church. Acts 20:28 reminds the elders to “Take heed... to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers...” As “overseers” of the church, the elders must rule the church according to God’s Word. That is why in 1 Timothy 5:17, we find the expression, “the elders that rule well”.
The New Testament uses the Greek word presbuteroi for “elders”. The Presbyterian churches derive their name from this Greek word for elders. The name “Presbyterian” denotes that the church is ruled by elders appointed by God. It appears that the Bible expects every church to be ruled by more than one elder, as the word always appears in the plural in the New Testament concerning church leadership.
Generally, all elders are responsible for the church’s administrative matters. However, there are some elders whom God appoints to rule and teach God’s Word. These elders, as 1 Timothy 5:17 says, “labour in the word and doctrine”. They study the Word of God, and faithfully teach us its truths. Such spiritually gifted men, whom God has enabled to be elders who rule and teach, are called “pastors” (Ephesians 4:11).
God wants us to count our pastors and elders, who carry out their duties faithfully and fervently, as “worthy of double honour”. They deserve all the church members’ respect, submission and esteem. So, be sure you are courteous towards your elders and obey their faithful, biblical counsels.
Respecting our elders and pastors goes beyond mere courtesy. It involves recognising their God-given authority, and acknowledging their diligence in leading the church. Elders who “labour in the word and doctrine” dedicate significant time and effort to studying and teaching Scripture, providing spiritual guidance, and ensuring that the church remains grounded in biblical truth. Their role is crucial for the spiritual health and growth of the congregation.
Supporting our pastors and elders is not just a suggestion; it’s a biblical mandate. It includes praying for them, offering encouragement, and providing practical assistance when needed. The Greek word used for “honour” can also denote financial support (cf. Matt. 27:6, 9; Acts 4:34; 1 Cor. 6:20). Its meaning aligns with the modern term “honorarium”, which denotes monetary compensation given as a token of respect. When we biblically honour and support the church pastors and elders, we not only encourage them to fulfil their calling and duty, but also contribute to the solemnity, joy, unity, health and progress of the church.
The Word of God repeatedly calls on Christians to hold their leaders in high regard, recognising their significant role in the congregation’s spiritual growth and stability. We are to take this to heart, and act on it. Hebrews 13:7 exhorts us, “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.” This verse underscores the inseparable link between leadership and discipleship in Christ’s body. By recognising their role in teaching the Word of God and observing their faithful living, believers are encouraged to emulate their faith and support them in their ministry.
Hebrews 13:17 further reiterates, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” When church members are submissive and cooperative, leaders can serve the Lord in the congregation with joy rather than burden.
Defiance of Leadership
One of the most problematic situations in today’s congregations is the modern culture of individualism. Many people resist the idea of submitting to authority, viewing it as a personal infringement. Such modern mentality makes it difficult for people to discern biblical leadership and authority.
Christians need to distinguish between legitimate spiritual authority and abusive power. When church leaders insist on obedience to clear biblical teachings, this should not be seen as an abuse of power. Proper biblical authority is based on biblical principles and teachings, and it should be welcomed and obeyed. Church members must recognise the authority of church leadership as a stewardship, not a despotic rule (cf. Heb. 13:17). Church leaders will be held responsible for how they guide and nurture the flock of God, and for the spiritual condition of their flock. They will face divine judgment if they do not teach the truths of God with authority as church leaders.
Just as it is incumbent upon leaders to teach the Scriptural principles with authority, it is binding on the church members to obey them. How can church leaders effectively govern and care for the congregation without their cooperation? Leaders can provide effective guidance only when their counsel is respected and obeyed.
Submission is not about blind obedience to the leaders. It is about acknowledging and submitting to the leadership’s biblical instructions and counsel. The proper biblical relationship between leaders and church members results from mutual respect and submission to the truths of Scripture.
In conclusion, every church member has a duty to honour our elders and pastors, especially those who excel in teaching and leading according to God’s Word. Let us commit to showing them “double honour” through our respect, support, and obedience to their godly guidance. In doing so, we not only fulfil a biblical mandate, but also strengthen the unity and effectiveness of our church ministries.
To the praise and glory of His grace, we gather together to rejoice in the Lord for the twenty wonderful years of His faithfulness upon the church. As the chorus of the hymn that we love to sing reminds us, “Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided…” Indeed, our twenty years of existence and ministry is a testament of God’s unfailing care!
It was on July 4, 2004, when we first gathered together for worship in a rented hotel function room. We were so much younger then, both in faith and life, striving to grow and mature in our walk, service and witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. Thereafter, it pleased the Lord to bring more people to the church, causing them to hear and believe in the Gospel. Like newborn babes, many of us have grown, by the grace and mercies of God, to serve in various areas of the church ministry. Praise God for enabling us to serve together, “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12).
Not only has the Lord added unto the church such as should be saved and thereafter serve, He has also expanded the ministries of the church with the establishment of The Gethsemane Care Ministry (TGCM) in 2009 and the Gethsemane Bible Institute (GBI) in 2011. Praise God!
Then in 2020, at the height of the pandemic when we were not able to come together for worship, by God’s providence, we considered a viable option of gathering together via the internet – by way of “live streaming” our church meetings through the social media platform. And while I used to think about the “live streaming” as good only during the pandemic, little did I know that the Lord has opened a door of opportunity for us to proclaim the Gospel far and wide, reaching out to more people, including our relatives and friends, long after we have resumed the usual physical, in-person worship service. Furthermore, like-minded brethren in other parts of the country and the world were also able to continue to join us online.
Today, we remember the Lord’s goodness right from the very beginning: we reflect on how the Lord has sustained and strengthened the church all these years; we rejoice in all that the Lord has done and is doing, in and through the church. Also, let us not forget to thank the Lord for Gethsemane BPC, Singapore, for their love and care, “even as a nurse cherisheth her children” (1 Thess. 2:7b), as well as for their prayers and support all these years. Likewise, our gratitude to the like-minded churches that have co-laboured with us and served as our missions partners.
Coming together, may we echo the words of the psalmist: “I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee” (Psalm 145:1-10).
Moving forward, let us make that resolve to abide in Him, and remain faithful and true in our walk and service to our God!
Blessed 20th Anniversary!
Pastor Reggor Galarpe
Sermon Text: Psalm 82
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 28th July 2024
In July 2004, the Lord opened a door for us to spread the Gospel in Cebu City, the Philippines, through Reggor Galarpe, a then recent graduate of Far Eastern Bible College. He was ordained in 2007, during our 2nd Missionary Conference, to be the pastor of Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church in Cebu. To this day, the Lord has graciously strengthened Pastor Reggor to continue ministering faithfully and fervently in the ministry of the Word. Like all dedicated ministers of the Gospel, he has laboured diligently to care for the flock that God has brought to Gethsemane B-P Church, Cebu. Despite various personal and ministerial challenges, the Lord has enabled Pastor Reggor to provide pastoral leadership to the congregation in Cebu and to oversee the ministries that the Lord has opened in Bohol, Bogo and San Antonio, where Pr Edsel and Eld Eliezer are currently ministering the Word.
Today, the brethren are gathering in Cebu for the 20th Thanksgiving Anniversary Service. Let us, as a united body in spirit, join them to praise our God of salvation for the many Gospel doors He has opened over the past 20 years through the work begun by Pastor Reggor. Let us also pray for his family, co-labourers and the brethren of Gethsemane B-P Church, Cebu, that they will continually bear a good testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ through holy living and faithful preaching of the Word.
Below, we include Pastor Reggor’s recollection of the beginning of the work in Cebu, and an article, “Suffering Minister of Christ”, to stir us to remember and uphold, in our prayers, Pastor Reggor and all other servants of God in the Philippines and in all our mission stations around the world.
Pastor Reggor’s Recollection
As I ponder how the Lord has called me into the ministry, I cannot help but look back to 1999, when the Lord led me to a Christian drug rehabilitation centre. There, I came to know the Lord Jesus Christ and accepted Him as my Lord and personal Saviour. It was also there that I first met Pastor Koshy, who came for a visit after a mission trip to Leyte in the year 2000.
While I was about to complete my one-year rehabilitation programme, a door was opened for me to go and study at the Far Eastern Bible College in Singapore. It was the ministry leaders who encouraged me to be trained and equipped for the ministry. Upon my arrival in Singapore, I started attending church services at Gethsemane B-P Church and was subsequently baptised by Pastor Koshy. I then became a member of the church on 17th September 2000.
As a Bible college student, Pastor Koshy ensured that I was involved in various church ministries. I praise God for all the opportunities to serve in different areas, from ushering to teaching and preaching God’s Word in different fellowship groups. These experiences helped me understand and appreciate the work of the ministry.
In 2001, the Gethsemane Filipino Fellowship started, opening another opportunity to serve. It was during that time that I began to have a serious burden to reach out to people, especially to my fellow countrymen working in Singapore, share the Gospel with them, and lead them to a saving knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. From this ministry came the burden of bringing the Gospel to my country through a Bible-Presbyterian witness.
After completing my studies in 2003, I came back to Cebu with the zeal to start a mission church, but only after my one-year commitment to serve in a Christian drug rehabilitation centre where I came from. With much prayer and encouragement from Pastor Koshy and the “mother” church in Singapore, I was commissioned to be Gethsemane B-P Church’s missionary to the Philippines. And by God’s grace, the mission church in Cebu was inaugurated in July 2004.
I thank the Lord for His grace when, in November 2007, I was ordained to the pastoral ministry, together with Rev Ephrem Chiracho (Gethsemane B-P Church of Ethiopia), during the 2nd Missionary Conference held in Cebu City, the Philippines.
I praise and thank the Lord for His leading and guidance upon me and for blessing the church with a fruitful harvest of souls and a flourishing ministry, which includes The Gethsemane Care Ministry and Gethsemane Bible Institute. I am also thankful to the Lord for raising up faithful men to co-labour with me in the ministry. Praise and glory be unto His Name!
(An edited version of his testimony in our 25th Anniversary publication.)
Ephesians 3:13 – “Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.”
Herein, we witness the thoughts of a faithful and compassionate pastor deeply concerned for his flock’s spiritual well-being, even amidst his own afflictions. Paul wished that the Ephesian believers, upon hearing of his imprisonment and sufferings (Eph 3:1), would not be distressed or weakened in their faith and service to the Lord. This reflects his tender and caring pastoral heart, which prioritised the spiritual progress of God’s people above his own relief from personal burdens and troubles.
Though Paul was a prisoner, he thought and wrote as a free man. In his heart, he was indeed the Lord’s free man. Although the enemy confined him, they could not suppress his godly desires and prayers for God’s flock.
To many believers in Ephesus, Paul’s arrest and subsequent imprisonment seemed like a significant setback for the church and the cause of the Gospel. They grieved over his prolonged imprisonment and intense, ongoing suffering. Paul’s mind was consumed with concern for the steadfastness and progress of the church in the Lord’s work. He earnestly desired that they would not lose heart because of his tribulations. Even in his afflictions, Paul thought and acted as a loving, responsible and fervent pastor of God’s flock. His heart reflected the same concern for the church as that of Jesus Christ. What an exemplary model for all ministers of Christ, especially in these times of declining pastoral ministry!
Two expressions denote the purpose of his suffering. The phrase “my tribulations for you” indicates that a significant portion of his sufferings, both before and during his imprisonment, was for the benefit of the Ephesian believers. Just as it pleased God to save them through the suffering and death of His Son, Jesus Christ, it pleased Him to minister divine truths, nourishment and comfort to them through the sufferings of His servant, Paul. In 2 Corinthians 1:6, Paul wrote, “And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.”
The second expression, “which is your glory”, portrays his sufferings as having an exalted dignity that reflects glory on the believers. Paul was saying that his sufferings were permitted because God regarded them as worthy of bestowing honour and glory upon the church. Although suffering in itself is not glorious, suffering on behalf of Christ and His people holds a special honour due to His glorious purposes. God mightily uses His servants, who willingly labour and endure many afflictions, to bestow spiritual blessings upon His people. Let us give thanks for all His faithful and fervent servants everywhere who endure their many afflictions to nourish and protect God’s people, so that they may be presented to Christ as a glorious church.
1 Peter 2:16 addresses the concept of Christian freedom, urging believers not to use their liberty as “a cloak of maliciousness”, but rather to live as servants of God – “as free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.”
While the freedom offered by Christ is complete (cf. John 8:36), believers often struggle to understand and apply it correctly. The apostle Peter deals with the challenges of fully experiencing this freedom.
Firstly, in the preceding context of 1 Peter 2:16, the apostle stresses Christians’ duty to submit to civil and ecclesiastical authorities, indicating that true Christian freedom does not justify rebellion. Instead, it involves obedience and respect for those in positions of authority, rejecting any misuse of freedom for personal defiance or selfish gain. Our freedom in Christ does not release us from our God-given obligations. It is distorted thinking that Christians are free from all moral laws and divine demands, and can indulge in any behaviour without consequences. To think of Christian liberty as a licence to neglect the importance of personal responsibilities and the pursuit of holiness is a great error!
So, Peter warns, “as free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness”. The Greek word for “cloke” (epikaluma) means a veil or cover, symbolising how some Christians misuse their spiritual freedom to mask “maliciousness” (Greek, kakia: evil or wickedness). Some who claim to be Christians engage in sinful activities by hiding behind the facade of Christian freedom. Within the church, there are various cases of abuse of Christian freedom, such as justifying spiritually unwholesome or sinful behaviour under the guise of spiritual liberty. Examples include indulgence in alcohol, entertainment, or pursuing material wealth at the expense of spiritual growth and service to the Lord. These actions contradict genuine freedom in Christ, leading to entanglement with worldliness and sin, rather than liberation. Christian freedom is not about selfish ambition or personal glory, but an increasing commitment to please the Lord with obedience and service to Him.
Jesus addresses such hypocritical behaviour in John 15:22, exposing the true nature of sin – “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.” Jesus came to remove all the “cloaks” that people use to cover their sins. True freedom in Christ means liberation from the deceit of sin and a genuine transformation towards righteousness, not an excuse to continue sinful lifestyles.
Peter further states that believers are liberated to become “servants of God”. True freedom in Christ should inspire believers to embrace their honourable role as God’s servants. In John 12:26, Jesus declares that the Father will honour those who serve Him – “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” This eternal honour is unlike the fleeting nature of worldly achievements. Serving God requires following Christ alone, not succumbing to worldly ambition or self-interest. Obedient service is evidence of true freedom from sin and Satan’s influence.
Romans 6:22 reinforces that freedom from sin leads to service to God: “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 7:22-24, Paul discusses the idea of being “free” yet serving God. Believers are freed from sin and lust to serve Him, highlighting that true freedom in Christ involves willingly becoming servants of God.
Christian freedom is not a licence for self-indulgence or for pursuing worldly pleasures and honours. Instead, it is a transformative liberation that should lead believers to serve God and align their lives with His purposes wholeheartedly. So, let us forsake worldly ambitions and sinful behaviour, and use our lives to honour God, knowing that true freedom comes from Him, who has freed us from the dominion of sin and Satan to serve His glorious purposes.
God has enabled our church to be actively involved in providing theological training to those who desire to serve the Lord in His church, especially in full-time service. God has enabled us to set up the Gethsemane Bible Institute in three countries – Ethiopia, the Philippines and India. About two years ago, the Lord also opened the doors to theological training in N.E. India, through Soli Deo Gloria Reformed Bible Academy.
With the help of our Bible Witness Media Ministry and Pr Samson, we have developed an online ministry of GBI since 2014. We have provided recorded lectures on the GBI website (www.gbi-online.com), and live online lectures for students of institutes in India. GBI Online also offers courses for preachers and pastors (Pastoral Biblical Studies—PBS) to further strengthen their understanding and ability to expound the truths of the Scriptures. For this particular course, God’s servants from several countries meet together online every Monday morning to study various topics.
God willing, the new semester of GBI Online will begin tomorrow. You can benefit from the courses we offer from GMC by attending the lecture onsite or joining online. Please register today for various courses announced in today’s church bulletin. If you need further course information, please contact Pr Samson Hutagalung (phone: +65 6741 1910; email: dean.gbionline@gmail.com).
We praise God for the generous support of God’s people, which has enabled us to freely provide these lectures to local and foreign students. Apart from the regular expenses for hosting lectures from GMC, we also have to spend money on upgrading the equipment (computers, audio-video cameras, etc.), servers, website, etc. Currently, our staff, with the help of some brethren in our church, are working to improve our GBI website and its various features to benefit online students.
We request your continued prayer and financial support for GBI Online, so that God’s servants can be well equipped for the work of the ministry of the Word around the world. Once again, through the forwardness of your love for Christ and the riches of your liberality towards His work, may GBI be further set forward for the furtherance of His kingdom.
Sermon Text: Psalm 81
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 21st July 2024