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Lara Wee

In 1968, when I was 11 years old, a teacher hired a van to fetch my sister and me, together with other students, out to church. I attended the church (Zion Church) with my sister. After attending many services, we were very joyful and blessed. We decided to get baptized. Since then, we have attended the church without fail. I also invited my parents to join us, and they were also saved. Praise God for His saving grace unto the rest of my family.

After I got married, I attended Elim Church regularly. Later, when my children and their spouses attended Gethsemane BP Church, the Lord led me to follow them to attend GBPC. I was joyful and blessed to be in GBPC. I have been attending GBPC regularly. I am also blessed to have many new friends at GBPC.

Kevin Tai

Decades ago, my life took a drastic turn when I was diagnosed with a head and neck cancer Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (also known as NPC), which is a rare tumour of the head and neck originating in the nasopharynx. At that time, I was working in Hong Kong, and the specialist doctor, whom I consulted there, told me that my survival rate was only 30%. Only 1 out of 3 persons with this cancer has a chance to survive. I was advised to undergo 6 weeks of intensive radiotherapy. After my radiotherapy treatment, I was introduced to a Singaporean friend who also worked in Hong Kong. Knowing that I am not a Christian, he invited me to go with him to a church service. I felt obligated and attended the services reluctantly (as Sunday morning was usually my “badminton day”). 

After a few weeks, he asked me whether I wanted to accept Jesus as my Saviour. I accepted the invitation to receive Jesus as my Saviour. I then joined a cell group that met near my place of stay. After many months of numerous medical appointments to treat my cancer, I was told that I was cleared of cancer. I believed God had healed me by His grace and mercy. 

But my problem did not stop there. Due to the less advanced medical technology and method, the radiotherapy that killed the cancer cells damaged my physical body severely. It had resulted in an irreversible nerve damage from my chest upwards. My body gradually started to show other side effects, even ten years after the radiotherapy. A person has four main blood arteries, two in front of the neck and two behind the neck, which supply blood to our front and back of the brain respectively. Damages to two of those main arteries and nerves caused by radiotherapy had prevented proper blood supply to the back of my brain since then. 

It resulted in a mild stroke ten years later, and I  was warded. When the neurologist did a scan on my front neck, he was shocked and told me: “Mr. Tai, I cannot find your 2 main front arteries! You should not be here anymore!” I pointed my finger upward to indicate that it was my God who has done this wondrous “miracle”. Due to the stroke and nerve damage, I began to lose my ability to speak properly and to hear well. My eyes were also affected and I started to have double vision, necessitating me to wear specially prescribed prism-lens spectacles. But all these afflictions did not stop my faith in God and my Lord Jesus, whom I follow till this day. God kept me alive for His purposes, despite my debilitating health problems.

I desire to continue to serve God according to His will, despite my deteriorating physical health. I have been serving the Lord in the prison ministry and “halfway houses” for more than ten years. I am willing to offer my service whenever, and wherever God calls me, as long as I live and am able. Following are some Bible verses that cheer me to serve Him: 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 

Romans 14:7-8 – “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” 

2 Corinthians 3:5 – “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God”.

Esther Tan Hui En

I was brought up in a Christian home since birth, and had received much of what my parents and the church taught about God and the Bible as the truth. Yet, for many years, much of this remained as mere knowledge without true spiritual rebirth. I was actively serving in Calvary Pandan BP Church during my teenage years, and while outwardly in church I appeared to be fervent for the Lord, I was more motivated by pride and self-glory. Concurrently in my school life, I was a completely different person – lazy, irresponsible and rude to authorities.

I remember distinctly a classmate remarking in great surprise when she found out that I was a Christian, and told me bluntly that I did not behave like one – those words pricked through my heart and made me realise the hypocrite that I had been. I turned to the Lord in repentance and received baptism in 2014, but my knowledge of God was still weak and lacking, and many worldly influences continued to distract me throughout junior college. It came to a point when although I was still attending church regularly, I was estranged from many of my church friends, causing me to be rather depressed. The Lord moved my heart to seek Him during this period, and I came across Psalm 34:8 – “O taste and see that the LORD is good”. The verse described a true and intimate relationship with God, to know His presence and to walk with Him – one that I had not yet truly known. That became my turning point to seek and desire what it truly meant to know the LORD. 

I was convicted through multiple portions of Scripture (e.g. Rom 10:13; 2 Tim 1:12) regarding my salvation, as well as the teaching of the “Five Points of Calvinism” in my church Bible study in 2016 that further solidified my understanding. I began to understand my own total depravity, my deep need for a Saviour, and how now I stand before God only by the merit of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Since then, though I’d failed the LORD time and time again, the LORD has always been merciful to pluck me out of my sin, so that I may serve Him.

I have been led by the LORD through not a few events to seek membership in Gethsemane BP Church, and my heart is filled with joy to worship and serve Him here. May the LORD be pleased to use my life as His instrument, for His kingdom and His glory. “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

Gladys Lim

The first time that I heard about Christianity was in my primary and secondary school days in a Catholic school (CHIJ). I remembered having to worship a God that I did not know at that time, in a fervent and repetitive way that was taught to us. I had since developed a habit of prayer – to some supernatural being – that I thought could help me with my grades and relieve my stress. Except for my mother, my other family members are non-religious, and thus I did not make my “prayer” habits known to them. My mother worships according to her ancestral teachings of Buddhism. Not knowing any better, I was also influenced by her, and I “prayed” to her gods too.

After a long struggle with mental illness, by the grace of God, I met Yong Wei, who first talked to me about the true meaning of the Gospel. Along the way, I struggled to understand some teachings of the Bible, such as “wifely submission” and “not being unequally yoked with an unbeliever”. I also had some deep pre-existing biases against Christians whom I had encountered before, who were rather disrespectful and demeaning to other people. I was upset with them for advocating (with their mouths) kind and respectful treatment of others, but (with their actions) actually hating people.

These Christians’ double standards stumbled me: “Why do I worship God if I were to hate His people?” Gradually, I begin to understand that all men have sinned and come short of God’s standard. I can only say that it is truly by the grace of the Lord through the Gospel that I have come to a realisation of my own sins, and I acknowledge Christ to be my only Saviour and Lord. The Lord is truly good, and I do understand now by His mercy, that the faith that I had once misconstrued, is indeed the truth of God which I now submit to follow. I must bear the cross as a Christian, even if some would use angry words against me for my faith. My comfort lies in Jesus Christ, and the peace that He gives unto me. 

I am grateful to Pastor Koshy, the elders and the congregation, for their kindness and hospitality that have made me feel welcomed. I can see that Gethsemane is a God-fearing church. I also am very appreciative of Yong Wei who continues to encourage me in my walk with Christ, as well as other church members who have taken time to talk to me. I do hope to continue to read and learn from the Bible, so as to strengthen my walk with Christ.

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14).

Against the backdrop of the Judaizers who distracted some in the churches in Galatia from Christ’s perfect and powerful Gospel of salvation, and misled them to put their confidence in their own achievements in keeping the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament, Paul testified by declaring: “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Here, he told the Galatians how ludicrous it was for him to boast about anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The false teachers of Judaism gloried in their legalism and in their success in turning some Galatians from the Gospel of Christ to follow their insistence on practising Jewish ceremonies. He rebuked this erroneous, conceited thinking in the previous verse – “For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh” (Gal. 6:13). Paul had understood that without God’s grace that provided Christ to be his Redeemer and Justifier, he would have remained as a condemned sinner (cf. Romans 3:27-28). 

Paul truly knew he had nothing to glory in himself or in his achievements. Rather, Paul’s glorying was only in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was not speaking of the cross as a piece of wood or an ornament of precious metal. Neither was he exalting the cruelty and suffering symbolised by the cross. He was speaking of the cross of Christ, on which He bore our sins and died to pay the price of our redemption, so that we may be reconciled to God. There is no other means of salvation but Christ’s death on the cross. Hebrews 10:12 says, “But this man (Jesus), after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God”. 

Paul also testified to the effect of rejoicing and glorying in Christ’s cross—“by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” In view of all that Christ has achieved for him through His death on the cross, the “world” (with all its sinful pleasures, earthly treasures, and honours) has been “crucified” or put to death, and is no longer fascinating for Paul to pursue. The world has no more charm for Paul. Christ alone is his passion and pursuit on this earth. As the hymn, “All for Jesus”, teaches us to sing:

Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus, I’ve lost sight of all beside,
So enchained my spirit’s vision, Looking at the Crucified:
All for Jesus! all for Jesus! Looking at the Crucified;
All for Jesus! all for Jesus! Looking at the Crucified.

Sermon Text: Galatians 3:13-15
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 29th 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.

Testimonies of New Members (I)

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:

• “inherit everlasting life” (Matthew 19:29—“And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”)
• “inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12—“That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”)
• “inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9b—“…knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”)
• “inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34—“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” [cf. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:21].)
• “inherit all things” (Revelation 21:7—“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”) This verse points to all the spiritual and eternal inheritances that God has promised.

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 on the 24th Bible Witness Retreat

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:

1. The gathering of God’s people is His work. All who serve in the church are nothing; God is everything. It is all God’s work.
2. We are labourers. Serve God through the toughest of times, being unashamed of the Gospel, and God will bless this labour. It is a privilege to labour for God the King of Heaven.
3. We are labourers together. Doing God’s work is not a competition; we only work because He works.

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

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).

God Has Purpose in Believers’ Suffering

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). 

Suffering as Part of Believers’ Preordained “Good Works”

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: Psalm 72
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 10th March 2024

Sermon Text: Numbers 3:4
Speaker: Pr Cornelius Koshy
Date: 3rd March 2024