Sermon Text: Philippians 1:3–11
Speaker: Pr Cornelius Koshy
Date: 7th July 2024
Sermon Text: Philippians 1:3–11
Speaker: Pr Cornelius Koshy
Date: 7th July 2024
Report by Pr Kelvin Lim
“It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
The LORD our God is faithful! He has established a witness for Himself in Pangasinan, the Philippines. For the last decade, the faith of the saints there has been strengthened by the preaching and teaching of His infallible and inerrant Word through the labour of Rev. Donald dela Cruz.
The 10th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of Gethsemane B-P Church, Pangasinan, was held at the function hall of Trish Hotel. More than 90 people came to witness the LORD’s faithfulness in sustaining this Gospel work for 10 years! The joy of the people could be seen from the smiles on their faces. They rejoiced heartily with songs of thanksgiving in worship of the LORD. The church choir also presented a hymn to the glory of God.
Rev. Reggor Galarpe, pastor of Gethsemane B-P Church, Cebu, was the Lord’s messenger for this blessed occasion. He exhorted the congregation from Acts 6:1-7 on the topic, “The Church and Its Deacons”. Next, he installed the elected deacons (Bro. Jumar Balicao and Bro. Kyt Bince) in their office, and thus inaugurated the Church Session. After which, there was an infant baptism. Pastor Donald baptised baby Daniel, the son of Dn Kyt and Sis. Charlene. The service ended with a benediction.
After the service, buffet lunch was served. The people continued to fellowship one with another, praising God for His goodness unto all. Indeed, it is a blessing to witness the bond of the brethren. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1).
As for me, I am very thankful unto the LORD just to be there. I am grateful for the hospitality of Pastor Donald and Dn Kyt. Dn Kyt picked me up from the airport on my arrival and bought me dinner before sending me to the hotel, while Pastor Donald hosted me for lunch before sending me to the airport for my departure. During my stay in the hotel, I was glad for the company of Rev. Reggor. We talked into the morning like we used to when we first met 24 years ago. We recollected the goodness of the LORD, and encouraged each other to press on in the work of the Gospel. Finally, I was surprised to see Bro. Jordan and Bro. Julius—they came specifically to rejoice with the brethren on this blessed occasion! This reminded me of what the psalmist said, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Psalm 122:1). All glory be unto the LORD our God!
Report by Bro. Rayson Tan and Bro. Titus Ho
This year’s CYC took place from 18th to 21st June, with its theme (in the form of a question), “Ready to Reap What You Sow?”, taken from 2 Corinthians 9:6 – “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”
During this four-day conference, youths from our church (Gethsemane BPC) and fellow Bible-Presbyterian churches (Blessed Hope, Calvary Pandan, Calvary Tengah, True Life, Truth), along with other invited friends from non-BP churches, came together to study the Word of God. We thank God for His wisdom and grace upon Pastor Koshy & Rev. Samuel Joseph, as they preached 7 theme messages that challenged the youths to reflect on the type of “seeds” sown in their lives thus far. Are they sowing seeds of worldliness, or are they sowing things of spiritual and eternal value?
Message 1 introduced the theme question, expounding on 2 Corinthians 9:6 and highlighting the principle of “proportional reaping”, with the exhortation on always abounding in the work of the Lord.
Message 2 (based on Hosea 10:1-2) emphasised the importance of being Christ-centred in our service. Using Israel’s unfruitfulness attributed to their lack of commitment to the LORD, we were warned to have the right focus when serving the Lord.
Message 3 reminded us, through Proverbs 22:8, on the potential youthful bad decisions that lead to negative consequences. As even small compromises can grow into significant issues, hence Galatians 5:9 stresses the need for wisdom in our decisions and actions.
Message 4 exhorted us, from Romans 12:11, to maintain a sense of fervency and passion in serving the Lord, which comes when we remember the Gospel and what Christ has done for us on the cross.
Message 5 warned of ungodly men and false teachings that should invoke vigilance in us to conscientiously guard ourselves. Galatians 6:7-10 urges us to be continually discerning “sowers” of sound doctrine, that we may remain steadfast even in this sinful world.
Message 6 taught us, from Matthew 9:32-38, to resonate with the burden of being an effective soul-witness for Christ, through the talents He has uniquely bestowed upon us. The spirit to serve isn’t dictated by one’s proficiency of talents, but a humble attitude to learn and serve for God’s glory.
Message 7 warned us, from 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, to eradicate a legalistic thinking when doing the Lord’s service, for it is by faith that we render our spiritual gifts for the Lord’s service.
Together with the messages being expounded in the morning sessions, each day’s afternoon segment was correspondingly filled with a time of discussion and activity. The youths were allocated groups, that were facilitated by an adult leader and a mature youth. Through this, the youths had a chance to recount each day’s theme messages to be applied accordingly in their lives.
Day 1 - Ice-Breaker Activity
During the afternoon of CYC Day 1, we thank God for an enriching ice-breaker session, where the youths went around to interact, via a questionnaire that request information (specifically related to each youth) on key characteristics of church ministries and even the CYC committee.
Day 2 - Forum Sharing by Full-Time Ministers & Workers
During Day 2’s afternoon session, a selected panel of full-time ministers and church workers were invited to share the Lord’s calling for them to serve full-time. This forum gave the youths insights on the careful preparation when it comes to such service of the Lord. One biblical admonition from Romans 12:1-2 stood out – “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.” Truly, may the youths continue to be consecrated Christians in the various callings of life that our Lord has placed them in, be it in school, work, or at home.
Day 3 - Recording Activity
On Day 3, the CYC attendees had the opportunity to witness the Lord’s work done through the productions of Bible Witness Media Ministry for BWTV. Through this brief hands-on exposure, the youths (alongside their voices and musical talents) were able to produce an item within each group itself through a song / skit! Thank God for the initiative of the group leaders that was complemented with the spontaneous ideas of the respective teams, allowing them to effectively record their presentations within a short span of practice!
Day 4 - Final Day of Conference
To reiterate the truths learnt over the past 4 days of CYC, the youths came together again to record the theme song, “Have You Counted the Cost?”. Through the technical help rendered by the Bible Witness Media Team, a couple of musically-inclined youths were able to (within short notice) arrange the music for the hymn, and conduct the singing for recording purposes. With much meditation and hope, we sang this hymn of consecration as our prayer for the years ahead.
Following that was a time of “guided” testimony (with the help of prompt-questions). The conclusion segment of the CYC was led by Pr Joshua Yong, who gave an exposition (from Ecclesiastes 11), on the essence of seizing every opportunity to serve the Lord. At the end of our lives, it’s not about the secular benefits we have accumulated that would grant us happiness, but the ultimate fulfilment that comes from knowing that we have given our best to the Lord’s work.
Indeed, all glory and praise be unto the Lord for the blessed 4 days of the Combined Youth Conference held at our Gethsemane Media Centre. With Gethsemane being the host church for CYC this year, there were also many opportunities for our youths to serve in. Be it ushering & welcoming, preparation & serving of refreshments, management of the AV, even the daily post-clean-up sessions, it was a joy to see the youths’ fervency in service and active application of what they have learned. Clearly, we have seen much evidence of the Lord’s grace and providence even in the preparation and execution of the CYC. We pray that all of us will continue to serve and sow bountifully for Him. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Sermon Text: Psalm 119:97–107
Speaker: Pr Cornelius Koshy
Date: 30th June 2024
Rev. Reggor B. Galarpe
I praise and thank the Lord for the recently concluded 7th Missionary Conference of Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church that was held in Malaysia from June 10-14, 2024. Having attended all the previous missionary conferences – the very first being held in Malaysia (2005), the second here in Cebu City (2007), the third in Ethiopia (2011), the fourth in Singapore (2014), the fifth in Kuching, East Malaysia (2017), and the sixth held “online” via Zoom at the height of the Covid pandemic (2021) – I praise and thank the Lord for the opportunity to join the seventh, together with my family!
As with the rest of the participants, especially the pastors and missionaries from different parts of the world, we returned home bringing with us abundant blessings – as we have been:
By God’s grace, my family have returned and arrived safely home (as with the rest of the participants) – and yes, we have been greatly blessed! All praise and glory be unto God!
Elder Eliezer Ortega
“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” (Psalm 103:1-2).
All glory and praise be unto the Lord for the 7th Missionary Conference. It is a great blessing for me and my wife to join the conference. It was indeed a time of spiritual nourishment and outpouring of blessings, both physical and spiritual.
The Lord be praised for using Pastor Koshy and various ministers of God’s Word to preach to us the respective theme messages. It was a great and blessed time of learning from God’s Word, which stirred our minds and hearts. It was a great opportunity for our spiritual learning and exercise. It has greatly strengthened my faith and love for Jesus. It has also renewed us to a joyful and zealous service for the Lord.
Praise the Lord for the respective missionaries’ reports. Thank God for how He prospers the work in different regions of the world, including our small churches in Bogo and San Antonio, which are part of God’s work in the saving of souls. The Lord’s strength and help in the different struggles and challenges of the missionaries and pastors have assured us of God’s timely help and sufficient grace for our own struggles and challenges.
I thank God also for the opportunity to meet and fellowship with old and new brethren. It was a blessed time of fellowship. Praise the Lord for the brethren who had taken good care of each and every missionary, through their hospitality and gifts. Thanks be unto God also for our hosts, who lovingly welcomed and cared for us in their home.
Thank God also for Pastor Koshy, the Board of Elders, and all those who have laboured hard for the 7th Missionary Conference. Praise be unto the Lord from whom all blessings flow. All glory be unto God!
Sermon Text: 2 Timothy 4:5
Speaker: Pr Ho Kee How
Date: 23rd June 2024
Amidst immense suffering, Job revealed a profound faith that transcends earthly tribulations when he said, “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me” (Job 19:25-27).
Job’s prolonged physical and emotional suffering was compounded by the harsh remarks of his friends. Their unkind and crude remarks did not help to alleviate Job’s distress. Earlier in this chapter, in verses 14 to 21, Job vividly described his dismal circumstances: “My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me. They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight. I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my mouth. My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children’s sake of mine own body. Yea, young children despised me; I arose, and they spake against me. All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me. My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth. Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.”
Amidst such overwhelming misery, which he recognised as permitted by God, Job’s spirit remained remarkably steadfast. Despite his profound anguish, Job’s confidence in God did not waver. He proclaimed with unwavering assurance, “For I know that my redeemer liveth”. Though he had no expectation of any human support, having been abandoned by even his closest kin and friends, Job was unwavering in his belief in a divine Redeemer who lives eternally. Earlier, he said, “Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high” (Job 16:19). In the depths of his suffering, Job made a remarkable plea. Job placed his trust in God as his Redeemer, the One who would ultimately redeem him from his sins and vindicate him against the false accusations of his peers.
He expressed his deepest hope that God, in His perfect righteousness, would ultimately stand as a witness to Job’s innocence. This is a fascinating twist because God had seemingly allowed hardship to befall Job, making it appear as if He contradicted Job’s claims. Yet, Job held onto the belief that God’s true nature, His inherent holiness and justice, would one day reveal the truth about Job’s situation. It’s a testament to Job’s unwavering faith that he trusted God to vindicate him, even when God’s actions seemed to suggest otherwise. This unwavering faith of Job serves as a beacon of inspiration, reminding us all to cling to our confidence and hope in the LORD, even in the darkest of times. His resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to the strength of faith in the LORD.
His anticipation extended beyond his present suffering to a future day of deliverance and vindication, a day he referred to with great confidence as “the latter day”. This is the ultimate day towards which all other days converge, the day in which all temporal days culminate. On that day, Job believed his Redeemer would stand to deliver him from death, ransoming him from the grave’s power.
Job’s hope was not limited to mere resurrection, but extended to a glorious resurrection. He expressed this hope vividly: “in my flesh shall I see God”. This reference to “flesh” signifies the new, glorified, incorruptible, spiritual body that the apostle Paul later described in 1 Corinthians 15. Job envisioned not just a return to life, but a transformed existence, where he would behold God with his own eyes in a body impervious to decay and corruption. This anticipation of a future resurrection, free from the limitations of our earthly bodies, can bring us comfort and hope in the midst of our trials, knowing that a glorious future awaits us in the presence of our Redeemer.
This profound hope resonates with all believers who endure trials of faith on this earth, and face the reality of death and the grave’s corruption. The blessed hope of resurrection and life before our Redeemer God is a promise that extends to all who trust in Him. As the apostle Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”
In the same spirit as Job, believers today can find solace and strength in their Redeemer’s assurance of eternal life and the promise of a future resurrection. This ultimate hope is not merely a distant dream, but a profound reality grounded in the living, redeeming power of God. As we navigate our earthly trials, this hope sustains us, reminding us that our present sufferings are but a prelude to the eternal glory that awaits us in the presence of our Redeemer. Let us, therefore, hold fast to this hope, allowing it to comfort our hearts and establish us in every good word and work, as we await that glorious day when we shall see God face to face.
Envision a church that has lost sight of its fundamental purpose, that is, to spread the Gospel and bring Christ to the lost. Its physical structure may be grand, but its pews are vacant. The cause? It has veered from its mission; as a result, it is weakening and fading, with its “light” being unable to guide the lost.
For a church to truly flourish, the proclamation of Christ must be its very heartbeat. This responsibility does not rest solely on the pastors and preachers, but on every single member. We are all called to be active participants in the mission of soul-winning, a task entrusted to us by Jesus, the Head of the church. As Jesus Himself declared, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). He then passed on this mission to His disciples and, by extension, to us, saying, “as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (John 20:21b). Therefore, every committed church member, in obedience to his Saviour, must prioritise this soul-winning mission assigned by Christ.
The mission of the church, a divine mandate, is to preach the Gospel of Christ for the salvation of sinners and for their integration into the church for spiritual growth. A church that neglects this Gospel mission not only loses its purpose, but also faces the imminent threat of decline and eventual dissolution. Preaching Christ is not just important, it is vital for any church that aspires for true biblical growth. It is a mission that requires the active participation of all members in the church’s soul-winning efforts.
The apostle Paul stands as a shining example in the work of the Gospel. He shared with Timothy his dedication to being a soul-winner for the Lord: “Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Timothy 2:10). Paul further urged Timothy, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5). Let us be inspired by his dedication, and strive to follow in his footsteps.
Evangelism should be the foremost purpose of the local church, and is a fundamental reason for its existence. God’s current work is centred on the local church, and His eternal concern has always been to reach out with love to a lost world through the good news of eternal life. Consequently, evangelism must top the list of any church’s ministry. Leaders and members alike must engage in evangelism, not as an optional activity but as a command. Jesus proclaimed, “…ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). This is not a suggestion but a call to action – a command from our Saviour.
Evangelism is more than a system or a programme; it involves personal engagement in the lives of others to help them understand and believe in Christ for salvation. It includes the message itself, and the demeanour and conduct of the messenger. Scripture instructs, “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27a). Furthermore, believers are to 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…” (Philippians 2:15-16a).
Despite much discussion about evangelism, active participation remains low. Churches often invest significant time and effort into various plans and programmes, yet evangelism is frequently neglected. Understanding evangelism starts with two principles. First, the local church is central to God’s plan for ministry in this age, making biblical evangelism a core focus of the church’s mission. Second, church leaders are responsible for training and equipping members for ministry and leadership, emphasising the church’s duty to prepare its congregation for Gospel work (cf. Ephesians 4).
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! …So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:13-17).
This passage underscores the critical nature of preaching and the necessity of spreading the Gospel. It emphasises that the beauty of those who share the message of Christ is in the transformative power that their words carry, bringing peace and salvation to those who hear and believe. Thus, the church must embrace its evangelistic mission with fervour and dedication, ensuring that the light of the Gospel reaches every corner of the world.
A church committed to evangelism brings its leaders and fellow Christians immense joy. An evangelistic church ultimately glorifies the Lord. Paul commended the church in Thessalonica, saying, “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; … For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3, 8).
Beloved, our initial enthusiasm for spreading the Gospel must not fade. We must remain committed to evangelism, undeterred by difficulties or lethargy. How wonderful it would be for our church to receive a commendation like the one Paul gave to the Thessalonian church!
Let us all strive to be prepared for evangelism in our church. I encourage you, dear reader, to wholeheartedly dedicate yourself to becoming a joyful soul-winner for our glorious Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Sermon Text: 2 Corinthians 11:7–15
Speaker: Rev. Paul Cheng
Date: 16th June 2024
Sermon Text: 3 John 11–14
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 9th June 2024
Sermon Text: Psalm 79
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 2nd June 2024