Sermon Text: Matthew 5:13–16
Speaker: Pr Jeremiah Sim
Date: 24th March 2024
Sermon Text: Matthew 5:13–16
Speaker: Pr Jeremiah Sim
Date: 24th March 2024
Regarding Christ, in relation to his life, John the Baptist said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). John’s ultimate principle of life and ministry is recorded in this verse. To him, growth in Christ meant giving up everything about himself for Christ’s glory.
John acknowledged that the advancement of Christ’s glory is essential because God planned for Christ, the Messiah, to supersede the ministry of John. John was only a herald of Christ. His duty was to prepare the people’s hearts for the coming of Christ as the Redeemer. The man of the hour was not John, but Christ. That is why John said, “He must increase”. John was committed to that divine plan. He had no intention to hinder the progress of Christ’s ministry. His only desire was that Christ would be magnified.
Growing in Christ is only possible when one allows Christ to have pre-eminence in his life. There must be increasing influence and direction from Christ in one’s life, so that he may grow in Christ. Such an overwhelming supremacy of Christ means increasingly submitting to His glory and will.
John also knew that if he did not diminish for Christ’s sake, it would be impossible for him to be instrumental in Christ’s advancement. His contraction was the natural outcome of his commitment to Christ’s increase. His heart was burning with the passion for the glory of Christ, and he gladly “melted away” from the scene like a candle, as Christ came upon the scene. He achieved it by introducing Christ to the world. John’s duty and desires were perfectly fulfilled when people moved away from him and gathered around Christ. He felt no regret that his popularity was diminishing. His character was here put to the proof. He gladly accepted his contraction because his most cherished desire – advancing Christ’s glory – was being steadily accomplished. Christ’s popularity, so far from exciting John to jealousy, filled him with holy peace and happiness.
Therefore, if we sincerely desire to grow in Christ, let us be mindful that we must be willing to place all that pertain to our self-gain under the pre-eminence of Christ. All who desire to glorify the Lord must be unselfish in their Christian life. If any of us is inflamed with personal ambition, he is a fake disciple / preacher / Christian. “But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (2 Cor. 10:17). Let us pray that our lives will be hidden in His glory, and that all may see His glory through us.
Jerry Moh
My journey of faith began when I was in upper primary school as my uncle signed me up for a children’s camp at his church for two consecutive years. That was when I learned about Christianity and how to pray. The following year, I started attending Sunday service with my father.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). God has been my strength, especially when I left home for the first time at the age of 17 for my A-Level studies. In a city where I knew no one, I thank God for the Christian friends I met who supported and encouraged me to join their church services and fellowship meetings. I started reading the Bible consistently every day, though I’m ashamed to say it was not in depth. Thank God who gives me simple faith. It was in 2016 when I was convicted to receive baptism at a Methodist church in my hometown. Over the years, I thank God for His preservation, sustaining my faith and enabling me to worship Him when I was again away from home for further studies. God is truly my “fortress”, guiding me through different challenges in life.
By God’s providence, I first encountered Gethsemane BPC when I was invited to join a pastoral visitation during my visit to Singapore. As I was looking for a church after moving to Singapore in July 2022, I was encouraged to join Gethsemane BPC. I thank God for the faithful preaching by God’s servants in this church. During the fellowship meetings, I appreciate that there is always time allocated to Bible preaching, as I can be taught God’s Word by those with strong biblical knowledge.
I’m thankful for the teaching of God’s Word by Pastor Koshy and the preachers of GBPC, and for all the labourers of this church. Besides the ministry of God’s Word through the worship services, I thank God also for various ministry programmes like Bible Witness TV, GBI, etc.
I am a sinner saved by grace, not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, as stated in Ephesians 2. I praise God for His many blessings upon me. Glory to God the most High! I pray that I’ll continue to cling to Christ and grow spiritually in this church.
Lim Cuiwen
I came from a non-Christian background, and had the chance to hear about the Gospel when I was invited by my senior to a charismatic church during one Christmas. However, I could not fathom what Jesus had done for us, and how we were all dead in sin and therefore needed Someone to save us. This eventually led me to leave the church.
In the earlier months of 2023, I experienced a lot of trials in my life which left me in turmoil. My friend then invited me to True life BP Church to hear the preaching of God’s Word. At first, it was hard for me to comprehend the Bible verses, but I thank God for the charity of the people who patiently explained the doctrine to me. Shortly after, I accepted Christ into my heart and truly believed that His blood has redeemed us from eternal death. Subsequently, I attended Gethsemane BP Church, through a friend in Gethsemane. I was profoundly moved by the sermon, which was based on solid Biblical teaching, and by the church’s unwavering dedication to upholding God’s Word and glorifying God. I realise we are all sinners who have fallen short of the glory of God. It is only by grace through faith in Christ, that we are saved.
I would like to share a verse that reminds me how God got me through those trying times – “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). May I constantly be reminded of the need to walk right with God first, and to have my requests in line with God’s will, not mine.
(More testimonies next week)
God’s Word tells us that we are called “to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4). We are saved to obtain an “inheritance”. The word “inheritance”, in its Greek origin (kleronomia), refers to “a sanctioned possession”, much like when a father’s possession is assigned to the son. When we become God’s children, we receive an inheritance from the Father. “And if children,” says Paul, “then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17a).
The New Testament clearly speaks of things that we will inherit as believers. Some of the things we will inherit as a result of our salvation are mentioned in the following verses:
Peter uses three adjectives to describe the inheritance of a believer, namely “incorruptible”, “undefiled”, and “that fadeth not away”. No earthly inheritance is worthy of those three adjectives. These adjectives can match only a spiritual or heavenly inheritance. These adjectives are at times used to refer to rewards awaiting the believers. For example, the adjective “incorruptible” (aphtharton) is used for crowns of reward in 1 Corinthians 9:25. Likewise, “that fadeth not away” (amarantinon) is also used of the crowns designated for the ‘under-shepherds’ (1 Peter 5:4). This must be the reason why the writer of Hebrews calls the believers’ inheritance, the “eternal inheritance” (9:15).
In general, “incorruptible” (aphtharton) refers to freedom from death and decay, “undefiled” (amianton) to freedom from uncleanness or moral impurity, and “that fadeth not away” (amaranton) to freedom from the natural ravages of time (like in the fading of flowers). The believers’ inheritance is safe from all damage, defilement and decay, because it is “reserved in heaven for you”. The verb “reserved” (teteremenen) points to God’s act of preserving the inheritance for the believers in heaven. The word has the idea of keeping something unharmed. God preserves His people’s inheritance for their everlasting enjoyment.
“Believers inherit a greater inheritance than all that are on earth.” The inheritance that we have in Christ is not kept on earth. If it is an earthly inheritance, then its purity and glory would easily perish. The purity of our inheritance reserved in heaven will not be sullied. Its brightness will not be dimmed.
Therefore, let us rejoice, even in poverty, because of all our imperishable inheritances reserved for us in heaven.
Report from Seah Tze Hin
We thank God for a blessed 24th Bible Witness Retreat held at Vizag and Shillong (2-9 March 2024), to hear God’s Word and to visit several churches in India. The theme of the retreat is “Unblameable in Holiness”. We landed in Vizag in the night, and passed through immigration and customs without much scrutiny. A few local brothers gladly received us and saw us safely to the hotel for a quick dinner and a night of rest.
The next day was the Lord’s Day, and we were introduced to the church staff and GBI students by Rev. Sujith. We joined the local congregation in worship and were reminded of the “meaning, mode and subjects” of baptism. The message was translated into Telugu by Pastor Bhagavath. Pastor Koshy baptised a few youths and infants born to believing parents. We thank God for a Telugu song presentation by local youths, as well as a rendering of the hymn – “More Holiness Give Me” – by an octet from the Singapore mission team. We then had a blessed time of fellowship with the local brethren over lunch. After dinner that evening, we had our first theme message. It set the stage for the rest of the messages and highlighted the gravity of “holiness”. Holiness is God’s nature, but we are defiled and corrupt. Yet we are called to be holy as God is holy.
The next day, we continued studying about God’s holiness. God Himself is the standard of holiness and the Judge. We spent some time meditating on the description of God’s Word in Psalm 19, seeing that it is holy and only by it are we taught to be holy. We also glimpsed at the holiness of worship in heaven, and pondered over salvation’s relation to God’s holiness (cf. Eph 2:8-10). We then took the opportunity to visit BPC Vizag and the bookroom below it. Rev. Sujith told us about a brief history of the work started in 2018, and the growth over the years. How blessed is every Gospel seed sown abroad that many more may come to know of Christ! The rest of the afternoon was spent in admiring God’s creation – on Kailasagiri Hill and at Tenneti Beach. We witnessed the crashing waves and saw a stranded ship, and were reminded of God’s mighty power over men and His creation. Later that day, Pastor further expounded on salvation. We were reminded that “salvation is an inheritance of God”, and “a true Christian hungers for only one thing - the eternal and divine righteousness.” Justification and sanctification are inseparable. Justification is a positional sanctification, an imputation of God’s righteousness, with Christ as the Priest, and thus a merit of Christ’s work. Sanctification itself is a progressive process, an impartation of God’s holiness, with Christ as the King, and signifies the efficacy of Christ’s work.
We continued our retreat study the following morning, where the messages took a chastising turn. We learnt of the necessity of sanctification (cf. Heb 11:6, 24). Just as God is “glorious in holiness” and “fearful in praises”, the Church as Christ’s Bride must be also. Christ hates every church that is not walking in holiness. Christ’s letter to the Laodicean Christians (Rev 3:16-17) and Christ’s criticism of the Pharisees (Matt 23:25-28) are very relevant to us and reflective of us. Miserable, blinded, naked, full of hypocrisy and iniquity. The only way ahead is to be cleansed; personal sanctification is as important as justification. Sanctification is our chief business, and holiness is our main pursuit. “Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness” (Psalm 143:10).
Later that afternoon, we visited the campus at Kotapadu, in the countryside. It was a large campus, with a classroom, a library, dormitories and a kitchen. Thank God for the sufficient size to host students from all over the country, and a conducive environment to learn God’s Word in the building. Thank God for the teachers and supporting staff, ensuring a smooth operation of the campus. We pray that GBI will continue to have such an environment to educate students according to God’s will, even as the lease agreement expires next year.
On Wednesday (6 March), we left Vizag early for Shillong. First, we took a flight to New Delhi, the capital of India, and then another flight to Guwahati. Pastor Jied and a few local brethren welcomed us at the airport. A 3-hour-long bus ride brought us to Shillong. We were all exhausted and thanked God for a sufficient rest that night.
Local brethren in Shillong joined in for the retreat theme messages on the next day (Thursday), where Pastor Koshy revisited the topics he had covered in Vizag. We continued learning the importance of purity and cleanliness in a believer’s life. The reality of sin bothers a true Christian (cf. Isa 6:5). Although we have learnt about doctrines of salvation, personal holiness is much more important. The new life that God has given is for constant purification. “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned” (1 Timothy 1:5; cf. Romans 13:9). The next message elaborated on Ephesians 4:17-22. We looked at the curses of sin, which creep in when we are not careful. We were reminded to learn of Christ and follow Him, and not the world; to put off the old man, and be renewed daily in the spirit of our minds.
We visited Laitlum Canyon after lunch, and once again were captivated by the beauty of God’s creation. We felt small in that vast landscape and amid the tall mountains. The retreat messages concluded with Pastor touching on the Word’s cleansing and the Word’s promises. We are not to grow in mere knowledge but to be purified by His Word, thereby also to know His will for us. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). We also looked at cleansing through chastisement (Heb 12:8-11). God will never afflict unnecessarily, but only so that He would sanctify us of sins and His will would be fulfilled. God also afflicts to prevent one from sin, as Paul highlighted his own experience in his second letter to the Corinthians. Saints fight sins every day to follow the Saviour.
On Friday (8 March), we travelled along mountainous roads for 2 hours to reach Cherrapunji. Pastor Jied warmly received us with great joy, showing us the way to the new church building, which houses Christ-Centered Reformed Church and Soli Deo Gloria Reformed Bible Academy. For the official opening of the building, Pastor was asked to pray and cut the ribbon together with Elder Mah. After being served some local snacks (made by the brethren) and Masala ginger tea, we were then ushered into the main hall, and the service began. Several important figures gave their speeches. They included Sir Titos Chyne (the local Member of the District Council), Sir W. Diengdoh (the principal of Sohra Academy Higher Secondary School), Mr B. Diengdoh (from the Village Council), and Elder Mah (on behalf of Gethsemane BPC). Members of the Singapore mission team choir presented song items, praising God for His work in spreading the Gospel all over the world.
Pastor then preached the thanksgiving message, taken from 1 Corinthians 3:7-9. He emphasised 3 points:
Pastor ended the message with an encouragement to everyone, especially the ministers of God’s Word. God is with us always, even in the most needy of circumstances. Our duty is to give this one life we have to Christ and the Gospel, knowing that there is not much time left. Pastor Jied then gave his testimony about the LORD’s grace and mercy to him. Tears rolled down his cheeks, as he recalled painful and joyous moments. Tears were shared by many who were present as well. We heard of God’s providence in every step of his life, through local brethren and his family and the leaders of Gethsemane BPC. Indeed, the LORD is very good to those who trust in Him.
We then visited several locations around Cherrapunji. Nongsawlia Presbyterian Church is the first church in the region, started by Rev. and Mrs Thomas Jones. (It was Rev. Jones who recorded the Khasi language in Roman script. John Roberts subsequently continued the work and completed the translation of the Bible into the Khasi language. Since then, the church grew and 75% of the state, Meghalaya, are said to be Christian. However, many churches, including Nongsawlia Presbyterian Church, have become liberal over the years and introduced unsound doctrines.) Our next stop was the Mawsmai Limestone Cave, where we were captivated by the rock formations. We ended with a farewell dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Knowing we’d almost come to the end of our trip gave us mixed feelings. While we thank God for the church building, yet we were sad that we had to leave, especially after just getting to know the local brethren. Come early next morning, we were driven to the airport. We parted ways with the local brethren, and flew back to Singapore safely.
“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 136:1). All glory to God for the 24th Bible Witness Retreat. We thank God for all the efforts by His servants who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this retreat a fruitful, smooth and memorable one.
Sermon Text: Psalm 73
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 17th March 2024
Sermon Text: Psalm 72
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 10th March 2024
God works all things after the counsel of His sovereign will. He governs all events in the universe, including the evil devices of the wicked (cf. Proverbs 16:4) – except that He has no part in instigating or initiating sin. But He allows Satan and sinners to work against His people and Him. He takes their defiance as a challenge, only to thrash His enemies at the end. In fact, He can even bring up “the wrath of man” to praise Him, yet “the remainder of wrath shalt (he) restrain” (Psalm 76:10).
But in that great battle that the devil is waging against God, God’s children are often caught up in it, whether we like it or not. There is no sitting on the fence. Being on the Lord’s side, we have to face the challenge that is raised against God, embracing it with joy. We must be happy “fighters”, not in the sense of being belligerent and aggressive (looking for a fight), but in the sense of fighting “the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12) and enduring “hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3).
In this respect, the Holy Spirit’s comment of Job’s reaction to his sufferings is instructive: “Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy” (James 5:11). Job was described by James as one who happily endured.
The word (makarizo) for “happy” is the same Greek root word which gives rise to the adjective that is translated as “blessed” in the Beatitudes, like “Blessed are the poor in spirit”, “Blessed are they that mourn”, and so on (Matthew 5:3-11). Truly, we (biblically instructed) believers think of those who endure their sufferings as blessed people. We believe Job was a blessed man because he endured his suffering, for the resultant trying of his faith worketh patience (cf. James 1:3). James is bringing to the readers’ attention, the blessedness of Job’s patience, which is an honourable thing. In God’s sovereign scheme of things, patience and endurance are blessed traits which God wants His children to possess.
Having established his heart in the Lord, though Job did question God’s will, he kept faith with the Lord and endured to the end. In the whole process, God was glorified and Job purified. Hence James highlighted “the end of the Lord”. Now, the Greek word (telos) for “end” here has the idea of end-result or objective. It is not referring to some sort of termination, for being the eternal Lord, God has no beginning or end. Rather, “the end of the Lord” is referring to the ultimate completion and fulfilment of God’s intent and purpose. So dear Christians, whatever trial you may be presently undergoing is never purposeless. And it is comforting to infer that it is not endless either! You may be having a difficult family life, or great financial problems, or debilitating health troubles, or a host of distressing issues, but please remember, that is what God has purposed. God will work out His purposes in His time and for His glory. In the meantime, “we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience” (Romans 5:3), which is certainly one of God’s purposes for our Christian lives.
Indeed, the Lord has purpose in our lives. Our sovereign God is not a capricious God who does things according to His whim and fancy. He has a plan. He works out everything according to His plan; nothing happens by chance. He has decreed all things, including our lives and our works. In fact, “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
It should not surprise us that as God’s children living in a hostile world, part of the “package” of our “good works in Christ Jesus” inevitably includes sufferings for Christ’s sake. Unbeknown to Job, his sufferings would constitute a very important spiritual work that God committed to him. God was very pleased with His servant’s spiritual maturity and complete surrender to Him as his Master (cf. Job 1:8), but Satan cynically insinuated that it was because of all the beneficial things God had given in his life. To prove His arch-enemy wrong, God then allowed Satan’s attacks on Job, but within certain limits (Job 1:12; 2:6). In this “good spiritual work” (of enduring under suffering) committed to Job by God, Job maintained his integrity and uttered sublime statements of faith; these are his “good works”. In fact, his several rounds of speech and counter-speech, in response to his friends’ absurd provocations, were beautifully poetic in Hebrew. They constitute a masterly piece of literary work in themselves! He used all his literary power, ability and skill to express his thoughts, and refute misguided theological clichés.
Above all, Job’s patience amidst suffering was used by God to defeat Satan’s mockery, whereby God’s name and honour were exalted. But note that Job’s patience didn’t mean he was quiet all the time. Some people think patience means silent stoicism, without realising that God is a loving Father upon whom we can pour out our woes (cf. 1 Peter 5:7). Actually, Job was talking from chapter 3 all the way to chapter 31 (interrupted from time to time only by his three friends’ baseless accusations and rebuke)! Indeed, his speech recorded in these chapters of the Book of Job had left behind a rich legacy, benefitting Bible-readers and, particularly, suffering Christians, throughout the Old and New Testament ages. Job was truly God’s “workmanship”, earmarked for a deep “work” of sufferings.
Dear Christians, if you believe that God is sovereign, then you have to believe that God has appointed whatever troubles that come into your life. Accept your trouble as God-ordained. The rightful response to such an acceptance of God’s sovereignty is worship, like how Job worshipped: “the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21b). Don’t resist! Don’t say, “I quit!” Accept your peculiar circumstance as what God had already determined even before the foundation of the world, “that we should walk in them”. And acceptance entails the worshipful confession that “The Lord is with me even in this.”
Truly, as far as God’s challenge to Satan regarding Job’s integrity is concerned, Job passed the test with flying colours! Job sought / worshipped God for who He is, not for the things he could get out of God. Job was shown to be a worshipper of God, not of things. His faith was tested – he came forth as gold (cf. Job 23:10)!
Hence, the apostle James commented that when believers perceive the “end (i.e. purpose) of the Lord” pertaining to the righteous’ sufferings, they cannot but see how “pitiful” and “of tender mercy” the Lord is. Indeed, the Lord “that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4), and is perfectly “able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24). To God be the glory. Amen.
Sermon Text: Numbers 3:4
Speaker: Pr Cornelius Koshy
Date: 3rd March 2024
What is the greatest advantage or profit a man can have in his life? The most common answers would be: “great wealth”, “material comfort”, “fame and prestige”, “great power”, “excellent education”, etc. Certainly, no one can deny that there are real advantages in this earthly life if one has such worldly gains.
The Bible instructs Christians not to be sluggish but to work hard to earn their bread (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12). Industrious Christians are also taught to be generous (Romans 12:13; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 6:18). While the Bible encourages us to pray for our daily bread (Matthew 6:11; Luke 11:3), it also promises that God would provide all the needs of those who seek His kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
Nonetheless, Jesus sternly warned everyone who thinks that worldly gain is all that matters and who would even neglect the care of his soul to secure an affluent earthly life, “For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” (Luke 9:25). By “the world”, Jesus meant all the pleasures, riches and honour that this world presents to man. If there is a man who possesses all the earthly glories but fails to care for the salvation of his own soul, he is, according to Jesus, a terrible loser because he let his soul be a castaway in hell. All his material achievements will not contribute anything at all to purchase a safe eternal destiny for him.
A man of worldly affluence may astonish his observers, winning for himself their admiration and praise. However, within him is a weary soul, crushed by the wrath of God against his sin and unbelief. So a man who lives just for worldly achievements has an awfully impoverished soul. All his wealth and stature are utterly powerless to save his soul and help him secure eternal peace.
God’s Word has long declared, “They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever)” (Psalm 49:6-8). Likewise, Proverbs 11:4 states, “Riches profit not in the day of wrath.” This is why Jesus said in Matthew 16:26, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Material wealth cannot purchase the redemption of one’s soul. All the wealth in the world will not be sufficient to redeem a man’s immortal soul.
Worse still, trusting in worldly possessions will lead to eternal peril. “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall” (Proverbs 11:28). One’s confidence in his wealth will keep him from believing and submitting to the Lord. This was graphically illustrated by the example of a rich young ruler who came to Christ seeking eternal life and yet refused to submit to His command to follow Him after selling all his possessions and giving them to the poor (Matthew 19:16-22). When he went away sorrowful, Jesus said, “That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:23-24).
Besides, worldly gain accumulated through unrighteous and selfish means will provoke God to wrath. James, the apostle, forewarns, “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days” (James 5:1-3). Man’s fascination with the worldly gain will make him a real loser of his soul to hell.
The danger of loving material prosperity is clearly and strongly cautioned against in God’s Word: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10). Why would one covet after something that would afflict him with excruciating pain? Worldly pursuit can bring horrifying anguish upon a man’s soul because of his departure from the faith, resulting in remorse and guilt; painful recollections of his folly and the dread of the future wrath of God.
Just prior to the warning of the unprofitability of the world, Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it” (Luke 9:23–24). These words of Jesus make it plain that there can be no spiritual progress if one is unwilling to make the sacrifices required by the Lord. A genuine Christian must always be willing to give up any earthly pursuit that would impede his desire to follow Christ.
Worldly affluence provides no guarantee of spiritual prosperity. Too often, especially when one is indulging in material gain and pleasure, it is a sign of his spiritual poverty. Jesus said, “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21).
What then is the real profitability of being preoccupied with worldly glory? Nothing at all. No one who wants his soul to be saved and be spiritually empowered and enriched should ever make worldly achievements his priority. The world’s wealth cannot secure spiritual wealth and joy. To be totally occupied with the world’s prosperity is to become spiritually bankrupt. One’s unrestrained pursuit of earthly gain will leave his soul utterly famished. Great wealth is certainly no great gain.
John Flavel (1627–1691), an English Presbyterian pastor, puritan and author, offered an excellent illustration of the unprofitability of worldly preoccupation. He wrote, “’Two things a master commits to his servant’s care,’ saith one: ‘the child and the child’s clothes.’ It will be a poor excuse for the servant to say, at his master’s return, ‘Sir, here are all the child’s clothes, neat and clean, but the child is lost!’ Much so with the account that many will give to God of their souls and bodies on that great day. ‘Lord, here is my body; I was very grateful for it; I neglected nothing that belonged to its content and welfare; but as for my soul, that is lost and cast away for ever. I took little care and thought about it.’”
Let no one be fooled into thinking highly of this material world and its glory, and fail to care for the salvation and nurture of his soul. The world is full of corruption and seduction that endanger our souls. Its glory is both unreliable and fading. Hence, let us not love the world (1 John 2:15). Take heed of the words of the prophet Jeremiah, “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
God’s Word instructs us in 1 Timothy 6:18-19, “That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
Paul stated at the end of the previous verse (v. 17) that it is “the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy”. If God is the One who bestows all good things on us, then He also has His reason to give us those good things. Our text for today’s meditation delineates God’s intention to bestow us wealth.
Firstly, it tells us that God bestows wealth on His people for a purpose: “that they do good, that they be rich in good works”. The love of money is the parent of all wickedness. J.C. Ryle said, “Nothing I am sure has such a tendency to quench the fire of religion as the possession of money.” We must not allow our wealth to affect our spiritual and moral commitment. Money is given unto us, that we may increase in “good works”. Good works are the fulfilment of the Lord’s will concerning us. Every work of self-gain and self-glory is evil work. Always remember that your money is to help you further God’s will. We can never be used or blessed by the Lord, if we do not fully commit to giving all for His glory.
So our Scripture text tells us that we must be “ready to distribute, willing to communicate”. When we receive money, most of us immediately think of keeping or saving it, if not multiplying it. But we are instructed that it is wrong to withhold from the needy when the Lord has not withheld it from us, though it was more than sufficient for all our needs. The Scriptural exhortation is: “distributing to the necessity of saints” (Romans 12:13), and “to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:16). More blessings come from giving than receiving (cf. Acts 20:35). As it is commonly said by preachers, “Give according to your income, lest God make your income according to your giving!” The right mindset is: “Get all you can, save all you can, and give all you can” (John Wesley). Note this attitude of giving must be accompanied by “readiness” and “willingness”. The words “ready” and “willing” in v. 18 call us not to delay when it comes to giving to the needs of the Lord’s work or for the poor. We should give as we would receive – cheerfully, quickly and without hesitation.
If we give generously as God’s Word teaches us, we are assured in v. 19 that we will be “laying up in store for [ourselves] a good foundation against the time to come, that [we] may lay hold on eternal life”. Generosity is a good foundation for the rest of our time in this world and even eternity. Our Lord Jesus’ teachings corroborated this truth. He said in Matthew 6:19-20, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal”. Jesus also taught us that He will reward us – “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42).
That is biblical investing of our lives and resources according to what the LORD has commanded – which is “investment with sure returns”!
Dear Pastor, greetings to you in our Lord’s most blessed Name! Praise God for His sustaining grace upon us in the ministry of the Gospel. Glad to hear of the good report on the recent Malayalam Fellowship Retreat in Vizag through the report of Dn. Benny. Praise God for sustaining you in the many opportunities to teach and preach God’s Word among His people, and to fellowship among the brethren there in Vizag.
We praise and thank God for His grace as we carry on in the work of the Gospel.
(1) Thank God for the ongoing studies in GBI-Cebu’s second semester. Praise God for the KJV Reference Bibles received from Mr. Yong (Pr. Joshua Yong’s father) that he sent for our students. He did mention to me his burden to send Bibles for our GBI students during the combined retreat here last December.
(2) Thank God for the new resident in TGCM-Cebu. He was introduced to us by a Baptist pastor, who originally wanted to bring his younger brother into the programme. However, his brother was unwilling; he ended up bringing to us one of their worshippers. Praise God nonetheless!
(3) As for the church, we thank God for the recent combined fellowship meeting we had last Sunday afternoon. It was held at TGCM premises. It was the first time for most of the brethren to visit TGCM after it underwent renovation last year. So, we take time to praise God and dedicate the premises to the Lord in thanksgiving. Thank God also for a good number of brethren who came for the meeting, and for the blessed time of learning God’s Word, prayer, and fellowship among us.
(4) Also, I thank the Lord for sustaining our children’s outreach in the home of our Sis. Ophelia. By God’s grace, it’s been more than a year since we started reaching out to the children in the neighbourhood. It was originally held every Thursday afternoon, but was moved to Saturday afternoon, starting January this year. Bro. Johnny Rey and I take turns teaching the children, while Sis. Carol would prepare some activities for them.
In another update, I would like to inform you that Bethel BPC has invited me to minister among the youths in their YPG Camp, which will be held 7th-11th July this year. Praise God for this opportunity to visit the church and minister to our brethren there.
Lastly, we are praying for the upcoming Missionary Conference in June. The Lord will provide! Once again, thank you, Pastor, for all your prayers and support for us. Please convey our greetings to all our brethren there.
Sermon Text: Psalm 71
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 25th February 2024