Sermon Text: Galatians 2:1-10
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 18th July 2021
(Sermon starts around 41.00.)
Sermon Text: Galatians 2:1-10
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 18th July 2021
(Sermon starts around 41.00.)
The concept of family – both traditional and biblical – is under serious threat in our modern society. The changing worldly ideologies are also redefining Christians’ mindset about family. Can the church, “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim 3:15), be silent while the world misleads its members? Can the church be silent when God’s design for the family is under attack? Will Christian men, the heads of families, resist the pressure of the world to keep their families’ conformity to the biblical portrayal of a godly family? Will Christian parents protect their children from the world’s attack at any cost?
Many Christians lack a commitment to God’s design for the family. They have abandoned the biblical pattern of family life to pursue greater wealth, luxury, selfglory, worldly pleasures, etc. Their hearts, filled with worry and aspiration for exceptional gain, neglect the unchanging truths of God’s design for family life. Sad as it is, they would sooner adopt attitudes and pursuits that are detrimental to the building of godly families.
To make matters worse, the church at large has refused to address the real problems affecting the family life of Christians. A major reason for the church’s silence is that many of today’s pastors, preachers and leaders are themselves greedy of filthy lucre, and lovers of luxury and pleasure. Their quiet acceptance of worldliness in their households obliges them to tolerate their congregations’ conformity to the world. This refusal to confront the incursions of worldly ideologies and trends among the congregants has opened the floodgates to satanic deceptions in the world catching the Christian families off guard! This dangerous, irresponsible conduct of the under-shepherds of the churches today is akin to deceivers “who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake”, as the apostle Paul warns in Titus 1:11.
In such a perilous time as this, for the spiritual protection and blessings of families, Christians should obey Scripture’s counsel that “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words,… perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself” (1 Tim 6:3-5). In other words, Christians should separate themselves and their families from pastors and church leaders who are hesitant to rebuke worldliness, lest their families become lulled into accepting the destructive secularism of our time.
Shockingly, Christians have become intolerant of preachers – and their churches – who rebuke conformity to the world. Such recklessness and resistance have been forewarned in the Scriptures – “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears” (2 Tim. 4:3). Compromising Christians, who have chosen to live in conformity with the world, will not bear with sharp admonitions against their compromises. To them, such preachers are unreasonable, unloving and legalistic.
At this juncture, I would urge all Gethsemaneans to take heed of this loving pastoral exhortation not to reject God’s design for the household. It is time to acknowledge and safeguard the biblical injunction that God wants us to build our homes according to His truths and holiness. He commands us to know and fulfil His counsels regarding our roles and conduct in the family. He has not left us without principles and guidelines. We are also given great and precious promises concerning our households if we abide by His wise counsels. When our most loving God has furnished us with His unfailing blessed truths for family living, why do we unwisely ignore them and choose to follow the pernicious ways of this world? Why do we make wealth and pleasures of this world our idols, forsaking the glory of the biblical truths? What gross sin and foolish, self-destructive attitude it is to take our families away from the way that God has shown in His Word!
God promises to build godly and blessed homes with His wisdom in Proverbs 9:1-6: “Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: she hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.” (Consider also Psalm 128.)
Let us not be victims of the secularisation of Christian families. Do not surrender our homes, but resist the vicious invasion of secularism and its corruption. If Christians do not stop their compromises with the worldly way of living, soon their homes will have nothing in the way of godliness. Do not desert God and His truths, which He has lovingly revealed in His Word.
1 Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD;
that walketh in his ways.
2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands:
happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house:
thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
5 The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion:
and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6 Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel.
In recent weeks, being moved in my heart by the Spirit, I have called on Gethsemaneans to take the present crisis that churches face due to COVID-19 seriously. What could it be that Christians are kept away for so long (almost 16 months) from gathering for worship, fellowship and service? Biblical history teaches us that whenever God's people provoked Him to wrath by their sins and hypocritical worship, He would cast them away, taking away their privilege of drawing unto His presence. Anyone who sincerely considers the spiritual condition of today's churches would know that the present crisis is the divine displeasure against the rampant sins of the churches of this age.
So, I have given you a pastoral call, over the last two weeks, to set aside time to sit before the LORD humbly to sanctify yourselves with fasting, repentance, rededication to spiritual renewal. About 70 brethren have responded and sent messages to me, indicating their readiness to seek the LORD for His forgiveness and sanctification through fasting and prayer.
Like the saints of the past, it is time for us to consider our ways and confess our sins. We cannot worship and serve the holy God with impure hearts and unclean hands. The churches of Jesus Christ have been profaned with materialism, carnality and worldliness of the people who gather to worship and serve. We have become like the church in Laodicea, which Christ had sharply rebuked. Consider His warning to that impure church – and even to us:
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:15–22).
Those who have indicated their desire to seek the LORD with fasting are added to a ‘Whats App’ group, to be provided with short exhortations and prayer items. Following is the first exhortation sent to them.
"I send the following exhortation that you may know why and how you should take time to examine yourselves and confess your sins before the Lord.
We must humble ourselves before the LORD to ask Him to guide us in our self-examination. The Bible requires of us to search/examine/judge ourselves that we may repent of our sins, lack of faith, devotion and service to Him.
Lamentations 3:40 – "Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD."
Haggai 1:5 – "Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways" (cf. 1:7).
2 Corinthians 13:5 – "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"
Like God's servants who prayed that they might know their sins so that they may repent of them, let us also humbly pray, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Ps 139:23-24).
We have imperfect knowledge of our failures in character because sin shrouds our understanding. God alone can show us how and where we have failed. We need divine help to be enlightened of our trespasses and iniquities, which we have been committing against Him. No man knows himself till he has been taught of God. So, we must pray, like David, "Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression" (Ps 19:12-13).
With hearts that are readied to know and repent from our sins, we must prayerfully apply the Scripture truths to our hearts. "Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me. For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me. Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me" (Ps. 40:11-13). Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:26 about the church's purification, "that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word". When we carefully hold our thoughts, words, conduct and actions against the counsels of God's Word, we will see our trespasses and sins. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word" (Psalm 119:9). So please read the Scriptures that you may be led to see your sins and that you may seek the LORD's forgiveness and help to put aside all your sins.
Advice on Fasting: According to the LORD's guidance in your heart, choose a day of the week when you can fast before the LORD. As the Lord enables, you may decide whether you allocate a part of the day or the whole day for fasting and prayer. (If you are sick and on medication, you may devote time to prayer without fasting.) Remember, when you fast, you are not just giving up a meal but also devoting that part of the day for prayer. During that time of prayer, you may meditate on God's Word for self-examination, confession of sins, seeking forgiveness, rededication of your life, etc. You can also pray for your family's, the church's and the nation's renewal. Pray for a biblical revival in our lives.
I will be sending you a guideline to pray (please remember it is only a guideline to help you with some thoughts as to how you can pray on your own)."
Below, I include some of the responses from brethren that I have received. May you be encouraged to desire and seek your sanctification as you read the hearty responses of the brethren.
“Dear Pastor, though both my wife and I have an ongoing weekly fasting and prayer programme, we're interested in joining what you've planned for the church, which “harmonises” with what we’ve been endeavouring. Thanks for your initiative for the church. Praise the Lord for especially directing you to start this oft-forgotten source of the believer's edification and blessings. May this be a start of the revival that you so long to have in our church. May the Lord grant you the desires of your heart. In the family devotion this morning, we remembered you and all the other preachers in our church in prayer. May the Lord continue to strengthen you all as you serve Him.
The reminder to pray for you and all our preachers came from a most relevant devotional in this morning's reading from CH Spurgeon, which I wish to share for the benefit of every believer, as below:
‘Brethren, pray for us’ (1 Thessalonians 5:25).
This one morning in the year we reserved to refresh the reader’s memory upon the subject of prayer for ministers, and we do most earnestly implore every Christian household to grant the fervent request of the text first uttered by an apostle and now repeated by us. Brethren, our work is solemnly momentous, involving weal or woe to thousands; we treat with souls for God on eternal business, and our word is either a savour of life unto life, or of death unto death. A very heavy responsibility rests upon us, and it will be no small mercy if at the last we be found clear of the blood of all men. As officers in Christ’s army, we are the especial mark of the enmity of men and devils; they watch for our halting, and labour to take us by the heels. Our sacred calling involves us in temptations from which you are exempt, above all it too often draws us away from our personal enjoyment of truth into a ministerial and official consideration of it. We meet with many knotty cases, and our wits are at a non plus; we observe very sad backslidings, and our hearts are wounded; we see millions perishing, and our spirits sink. We wish to profit you by our preaching; we desire to be blest to your children; we long to be useful both to saints and sinners; therefore, dear friends, intercede for us with our God. Miserable men are we if we miss the aid of your prayers, but happy are we if we live in your supplications. You do not look to us but to our Master for spiritual blessings, and yet how many times has He given those blessings through His ministers; ask then, again and again, that we may be the earthen vessels into which the Lord may put the treasure of the gospel. We, the whole company of missionaries, ministers, city missionaries, and students, do in the name of Jesus beseech you: Brethren, pray for us.”
“Dear Pastor, I thank God for your love for Him and His flock. I thank God for your steadfast faith and commitment to be true to your calling in spite of obstacles and trials as you lead GBPC. For your loving exhortation, correction and rebuke to our family, as well as your prayers, care and counsel all these years. Thank God for using you to cause us to realise during this time, God's wrath is upon His people who profess Him with their lips but with hearts not committed to obedience unto our Almighty God. May God hear us during this season of prayer as we repent and call upon Him to forgive and restore us. While the Lord tarries, may our feet be found walking in His righteous path, our eyes lifted to heaven, and our hearts yielded in humble submission to Him.”
“Dear Pastor, thank God for putting in your heart this burden of calling God's people to "fast & pray". After hearing your impassioned plea during the prayer meeting, I have purposed in my heart to have my family included in this spiritual exercise. God willing, we shall forego 1 dinner per week, so that we may have a protracted time of prayer in our family devotion, without the hassle of getting ready for dinner.
Admittedly, I've noticed of late my children's lack of fervency / zeal in their prayer life, & tendency to pray in a perfunctory manner. Sure, they seem to be quick in regurgitating biblical truths & able to give right theological answers, in general. While I'm thankful for their commitment to church & God's truth, I am nonetheless troubled by their general lack of a prayerful disposition. Without prayer, their communion with God will only be that superficial. Without agonising in prayer, they can do nothing spiritual, with the intended results of reaching the heart & piercing the conscience of precious souls! The desire of my heart is that this "fasting & prayer" be a time of revival for my family as well.
Undeniably, our prosperous, affluent society has, ironically, lulled us to a sense of self-sufficiency & to spiritual complacency. We forget that "he that cometh to God must believe that ... he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Heb 11:6b). If we're truly honest with ourselves, we've to confess that we have not sought God as we ought -- especially in non-pandemic times. But now with this worldwide pandemic raging unrelentingly, resulting in restrictions of movement, gatherings & many other activities (including several means of grace which we've taken for granted in earlier days), we have to realise that this is also a time of chastening for God's children. "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (1 Pet 4:17). May we not be engrossed in things that do not matter to God's kingdom. May we instead desire for things that do matter: purity of faith & conduct; and burden for souls!”
“Thank you, Pastor. These are truly challenging times, and we want to pray steadfastly as a family too.”
“Dear Pastor Koshy, … I would like to join you in fasting and prayer in regard to all our sins against God.”
Sermon Text: Galatians 1:10–24
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 11th July 2021
(Sermon starts around 31:24.)
Sermon Text: Galatians 1:10–24
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 4th July 2021
(Sermon starts around 36:53.)
‘Bible Witness Kids’ is a fresh attempt by our Bible Witness Media Ministry to reach children over Zoom platform with spiritually edifying programmes. The Lord has tremendously blessed this brand-new programme of BWMM to bring the Word of God to 90 children from Singapore and other South-East Asian countries.
It was a 5-day (June 21-25) event, but it took three months of planning and much labour from the media staff at Gethsemane Media Centre. Three sisters, Melissa Mah, Sharon Ng and Dorcas Koshy, co-laboured incessantly throughout the conceptualisation, initial planning, and trial runs until the final minute of the programme. They were ably supported by Bro. Matthew Peh, with his technical expertise, which they needed in recording and streaming the event over the internet. We have well-equipped teachers to teach the children (Pr Kelvin Lim, Eld. Francis Lee, Pr Cornelius Koshy, Abigail Koshy [Gethsemane BPC], Joycelyn Chng [True Life BPC], Rachel Leong [Tabernacle BPC], David Chew [Truth BPC]). We also thank the Lord for our church members and friends - Carolyn Koshy, Choy Luan Kheng, Tan Beng Yan, Roscelle Lim, Low Hui Lin, Sarah Yong, Rhodora Resuma, Adeline Chong, Esther Quek, Jenice Choy, Amoz Choy, Gan Chien Huey, Titus Ho, Elvin Siew, Rayson Tan, Clara Cho [Gethsemane BPC], Benjamin Yeo [Truth BPC] - who lovingly and cheerfully contributed their time and efforts to make this programme beneficial to all the participating children.
Our GMC studio is indeed a timely gift which the Lord has provided, that we may cater to the spiritual needs of our church – adults, youth and children alike, and even to our mission fields – just before the Covid-19 lockdowns began. GMC needs more capable, skilled and dedicated full-time staff, for which we must continue to pray so that we can effectively provide sound spiritual resources to our congregation and all around the world. We pray that ‘Bible Witness Kids’ will develop into a regular feature for the Bible Witness WebTV, which we desire in the Lord to begin soon.
Joseph Everson Zagado, 9, Gingoog City, The Philippines
Firstly, I learned from “The Life of David” in Psalm 5, that the Lord is dependable because He can protect His children. So I must trust the Lord. I also learned about the life of Jude and Solomon during the crossword puzzle activity. I enjoyed learning the new Scripture in Song – Psalm 127:1 – “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it”, which I like.
Secondly, on “The Essentials of Saving Faith”, I thank God that I learned to pray for mercy like the publican. I see myself, a sinner. I thank God that if I say sorry to Him, He will remove my sin. I am sad that Judas betrayed Jesus – I pray that I will not do it. I learned to sing, answer and memorize Bible verses. Though I was nervous, I tried my best to answer the questions by writing them on a paper.
Thirdly, concerning “Trusting God in Bitter Waters”, I learned the story of Moses and the Israelites when God called them to go to the Promised Land. They were in the desert and became thirsty and tired. They found the place Marah, but there was bitter water. Moses prayed to God and the water became sweet. I learned that God will provide my need if I will pray to Him sincerely.
Lastly, the lesson on “The Evidence of Saving Faith” from James 2:17, taught us that believers must love others. If others do something to hurt us, when they say sorry to us, we must forgive. We must endure because Jesus did endure Himself and became a sacrifice for us. I enjoyed the activity lesson and learning the answers to the questions (though they were a bit hard).
I thank God for the Bible Witness Kids’ teachers. They taught me to read Bible verses and explained them. (I also learned new songs from the Bible verses.) They taught me how to do art & craft also. They taught us everything from the Bible! Thank you teachers for teaching me. Thank you, Lord.
El Rafha J. Timaan, 9, Bohol, The Philippines
Praise God for the meaningful and fruitful 5 days of Bible Witness Kids programme. Thank God for the opportunity that I can be part of this programme. I have been blessed to learn God’s Word more, and to have the opportunity to learn new “Scriptures in Song”. “Thank you” to all of our teachers who taught us for 5 days straight patiently. Thank God that they taught us scriptural songs, Bible lessons and lesson activities. They also helped us to recite memory verses, to learn biblical phrases, art & craft, in order for us to know more about God’s Word. Praise God for all of their labour. Daghan Kaajong salamat. God bless.
Rico Apostol, Bohol, The Philippines
I would like to thank God for this programme. I thank all teachers who taught us the Word of God, along with singspiration and art & craft. There are many things that I have learned during this 5-day programme of the Bible Witness Kids. Thank you for the opportunity. God bless.
Rufus Wang, 8, Singapore
I would like to thank God and all my teachers for teaching me about having a saving faith, trusting in God in all circumstances and showing my love for others through action. I enjoyed memorizing Bible verses and singing songs to praise God. Being able to make a sculpture, using Bible verses that I have written, was my favourite activity. My appreciation to the church and Bible Witness Media Ministry for making this valuable learning opportunity possible for me and my family.
Candijay children, The Philippines
We thank the Lord for enabling us to join the Bible Kids programme, which gave us the opportunity to learn more about Jesus and the Bible. Thanks to all our teachers who patiently taught us and encouraged us to learn more about the Bible. We really enjoyed memorizing verses and answering questions. We thank also Preacher Edsel and Auntie Juvy who encouraged us to attend this programme, and provided us all the things needed for the activities to be able to join the programme. Thank you everyone.
Irish and Aira Galigao, 10 and 8, Candijay, The Philippines
Thank God for the opportunity to join the programme. We enjoyed all the activities, such as memorizing Bible verses, art & craft, quiz and listening to the lessons taught by our teachers. Although we are not fluent in English, we have learned little by little. Thanks to all the teachers who taught patiently and faithfully to us children, and also to all the staff who made a lot of effort to ensure a successful programme. Thank the Lord. God bless us all.
Kenrick Limbaga, 11, Cebu, The Philippines
Thank the Lord for the Bible Witness Kids, and also for the lessons learned and verses we memorized. “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah” (Psalm 62:8).
Kemuel Limbaga, 9, Cebu, The Philippines
I am thankful for the brethren behind the scenes, who ensured that we had a good connection and also for the art and craft. I also praise God for learning more about God’s Word during the week, that we may apply it in our life. I learnt that we must read the Bible, not just for the sake of reading it, but to help us grow stronger in faith. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17).
Jaiden Paul Justin, 7, India
Thank God for the opportunity to attend this programme. I learnt the importance of trusting God and enduring in faith. Praise God for all the coordinators and teachers!
Nathania Florentino, 5, The Philippines
I thank God for Bible Witness Kids programme, for teaching me new memory verses and hymns to sing. I like the art & craft and memorizing of scriptures best. I learned that holiness is being perfect, right and set apart. Some of the memory verses that I can still remember are as follows: “There is none holy as the LORD” (1 Samuel 2:2a); “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14). Thank God my younger brother also likes to sing “Trust and Obey”.
Naomi and Esther Galarpe, 12 and 7, Cebu, The Philippines
We praise and thank God for Bible Witness Kids, which was held June 21-25. We thank God that we were given the opportunity to join in this programme. We praise God for the blessed and fruitful time spent together with the children from different countries. We also thank God for the lessons, activities, Bible verses, and the songs we learned. We praise God for all the faithful and engaging labourers. We pray that as we grow older, we may be able to keep all the lessons that we have learned. All glory be unto God!
Annabelle Lim, 7, Singapore
I thank God for the opportunity to attend the Bible Witness Kids programme for 5 days. God is so good to enable us to have the meeting even though we cannot come together to worship God. On day 1, I learnt about being “holy”. Holy is perfect. It also means that something is right or good or set apart. Jesus is a good example because He is perfect.
On day 2, I learnt two parables - the Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Parable of the Lost Coin. If you have 100 sheep and one sheep is lost, will you find the sheep? Yes! If you have 10 coins and one coin is lost, will you find the coin? You will!
On day 3, I learnt that after we believe in God, our hearts will be changed. The essentials of saving faith include having godly sorrow for sin and true repentance of sin. Though Judas Iscariot was regretful over his betrayal towards Jesus Christ, he turned away from Jesus and hanged himself on a tree. That is worldly sorrow, not godly sorrow. It is a very wicked thing to take our own lives and we must never do that. When we do something that is wrong, we must turn to Jesus and repent. This is godly sorrow.
On day 4, I learnt about the Parable of the Lost Son. Through this parable, I learnt that Jesus welcomed sinners to His love and is willing to save. We must repent of our sins and follow Him. But we must be prepared that following Jesus does not mean that there will be no trouble in life. When God allows troubles to come, we need to ask God to help us in our difficulties. Whatever trouble we face, we must still pray to God, knowing He will provide everything we need.
On day 5, I learnt that God is holy and so we must be holy. We must separate ourselves from the world, and obey God’s Word, just like Daniel in the Old Testament, who purposed in his heart not to eat the king’s meat and drink the king’s drink. He did not want to make God angry.
I am happy to join BW Kids. I learnt so much from God’s Word. I liked all the activities - the crafts, quizzes and new songs. I like the BW Kids folder very much. Thank you Pr Cornelius, Sis Rachel Leong, Sis Abigail Koshy, Bro David Chew, Pr Kelvin Lim, Sis Joycelyn, Eld Francis and Sis Dorcas for your teaching. I pray that God will help me to bear good fruits through their teachings. Praise be to God.
Kyle Ong, 12, Singapore
Bible Witness Kids has helped me so much for my growth in Christ. As a 12-year old kid, I still don’t know much about God, and this has really taught me much about our Lord. I thank God for this opportunity to learn more about Him. The messages are easy to understand; the teachers are very kind and patient too! Thank you for the effort that has been put into Bible Witness Kids! Thank you!
Cherish Ong, 10, Singapore
I am very thankful for this opportunity to participate in Bible Witness Kids. It has been a blessing to be part of it. I hope there will be more such activities to participate in!
Lauren Ong, 7, Singapore
Thank you very much for the Bible Witness Kids programme. I liked doing the worksheets and the “Beatitudes” art & craft banner. Thank you, Auntie Luan Kheng, Uncle Benjamin, and the teachers for teaching me God’s Word!
Justus and Sophia Ong, parents, Singapore
We praise God for the privilege of having Kyle, Cherish and Lauren attend the BW Kids June 2021 programme. The kids looked forward to 3pm every afternoon, and thoroughly enjoyed their time of learning. “Thank you” to the BW Kids team for all the planning, to the speakers for the daily messages, to the teachers for welcoming the children, and to the helpers for teaching them new songs and craft. May God continue to use you to bless many souls!
Goh Han Meng, parent, Singapore
“Thank you”, in God’s name, to the team for all the hard work done by His grace. The sermons have been edifying and will help the children to slowly learn to sit through the adult worship sermons in the future.
Josephine Goh, parent, Singapore
Thank God for your labour of love for the Bible Witness Kids programme. May God continue to bless this ministry and your church. Thank God for faithful Bible teachers who taught Charissa (aged 4) His Word. We appreciate all their labour of love. (She was also happy that her father helped her in the activity tasks too.) I pray that she can grow to love and understand His Word more and more.
Rhodora Resuma, parent, Singapore
I thank the Lord for His grace in enabling my children and I to join the Bible Witness Kids programme. Indeed, it was a blessed and fruitful 5-day programme full of Bible lessons, Bible-related activities (like trivia and art & craft), and even having the opportunity to learn new songs. Thank God for using Bible Witness Media Ministry to organise this event to minister to the children. With grateful heart and anticipation, I am looking forward to the next BW Kids.
Given the disruptions to the church’s regular gatherings for more than a year due to Covid-19, some of us may become dull and neglect our biblical duty to gather for worship, prayer, mutual care and edification. Becoming accustomed to and contented with listening to the livestreaming of our services and fellowship programmes is a real spiritual danger.
To encourage every church member to come together at every opportunity available, I would like to present in this pastoral exhortation the biblical mandate for our gathering, which none should forget or disregard.
Dear brethren, our church leadership and staff have laboured much, within the government guidelines for safe religious gatherings, to provide opportunities for brethren to meet together as Scripture demands. We thank God for His grace for all the safe meetings we have enjoyed. Let us enthusiastically gather to worship our God and for our spiritual edification, while adhering to the proper practices of safe-distancing guidelines. Please pray for those who labour to arrange for all our meetings, that they may meticulously and efficiently do all things needful.
We would like to urge members and friends who have been fully vaccinated (both shots) to attend the 11 am service, which is held at SingPost auditorium (Paya Lebar). At this location, we can presently accommodate up to 150 worshippers with all the recommended safety measures. Next Sunday onwards, we are considering the possibility of children’s junior worship at this location – for children who come with parents who are fully vaccinated. Please look out for information that will be sent through WhatsApp.
Those who are not fully vaccinated may attend the smaller gatherings of 50 at GMC (English worship services @ 8am, 2pm, 4pm; Chinese service @ 9:30am, and Evening Teaching service @6pm).
“Those that be planted in the house of the LORD
shall flourish in the courts of our God” (Ps 92:13).
“Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD:
we have blessed you out of the house
of the LORD” (Ps 118:26).
“I was glad when they said unto me,
Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Ps 122:1).
“Ye that stand in the house of the LORD,
in the courts of the house of our God,
Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good:
sing praises unto his name;
for it is pleasant” (Ps 135:2-3).
Sermon Text: Galatians 1:6-9
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 27th June 2021
(Sermon starts around 34:35.)
Rev. Ephrem Chiracho (Gethsemane BPC, Ethiopia)
Dear Elder Mah,
Greetings in our Lord’s most blessed name!
We praise the living and true God for granting us such a season of receiving much blessings from His almighty Spirit ministering to us through His infallible and inerrant Word, which was declared to us through His faithful servants.
We were all refreshed in our hearts – the messages revived our commitment to Christ’s cause and rekindled our love for one another. It was a season of mighty spiritual awakening to stand firm in the truth, to persevere in declaring the truth in season and out of season, and to model the life of Christ in our daily walk.
We have decided to preach the series of messages we have received in the conference so that these timely messages will be conveyed to our church members, who could not attend the conference because of the language barrier, as well as other limitations.
The mission reports given by God’s servants around the globe brought much encouragement to our hearts and challenged us to strive for greater work for Christ. We praise God for all the good works that are being done by our missionaries in various nations.
We praise God for moving your hearts to provide for our accommodation in Addis Ababa, so that we can “drink” of the pure milk of the Word and “eat” the meat of God’s truths without any external distraction. We were truly enriched by all that we have heard and seen.
Thank you all for your labour of love in organising and executing very well the 6th Missionary Conference. Please convey our thanks to the leaders of the church, to all committee members, and to all Gethsemaneans.
Rev. Paul Cheng (Bethel BPC, Melbourne)
Once again, thank you, Elder Mah, for the invitation and privilege to share the Word of God. I am truly blessed by all the programmes, the chairing, the messages preached by God’s faithful servants, as well as by the missionaries testifying of God’s goodness. Looking forward to meet you again – whether in Singapore or Melbourne, if the Lord permits. Till we meet again, take care and God bless.
Rev. Reggor Galarpe (Gethsemane, Cebu, the Philippines)
Praise God for the 6th Missionary Conference! It was a joy to see everyone and hear from one another as we labour on in the Lord’s vineyard. Most uplifting of all, is the privilege to hear the faithful preaching of the Word! Philippians 1:3-6.
Preacher Donald dela Cruz (Pangasinan, the Philippines)
Dear Pastor Koshy,
I praise the Lord for enabling Gethsemane B-P Church, Singapore, to hold the 6th Missionary Conference (online) last week. It was a great time of learning God’s Word and, at the same time, refreshing to see God’s work in other mission stations. Praise the Lord for the Lord’s messengers in expounding God’s Word. Praise the Lord for giving wisdom to the brethren who were involved in working behind the scenes. As for us here, praise the Lord for enabling the brethren to gather in our mission station to listen together during the afternoon sessions. More than 30 people joined the meetings.
I praise the Lord for the family of Sis. Marianette, who had stayed in the mission station for two weeks with the intention to join the Missionary Conference. She brought her 3 children with her from Manila. They returned last Sunday after the worship service. They also went together with us, as we ministered God’s Word in Binday, Inlambo and Macayug.
Praise the Lord for enabling us to live-broadcast our Sunday Worship service for three weeks already. Previously, we pre-recorded the messages and uploaded them the next morning. With the live broadcast, we reduce the preparation time and still achieve better results. Thank God that the brethren from far places can worship with us every Sunday.
I praise the Lord for enabling Jesher to finish his kindergarten. He had his final exam last week (on June 10), and their virtual graduation will be this Friday. Praise the Lord for the provision of school fees for his Primary 1. We have enrolled him in a Christian academy near the mission station. The new school year will begin from July 12.
Praise God for keeping and preserving our mission church in the last 7 years. We commemorated our 7th anniversary thanksgiving last week, June 8. Praise the Lord for the support and prayers of the brethren from Singapore. May the Lord keep us all.
Preacher Sujith Samuel (Vizag, India)
Dear Pastor,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
I am thankful to the Lord for His special help and blessings upon the 6th Missionary Conference. It is by His providential arrangement that we were able to gather, at least virtually, to study God’s Word and hear reports from mission fields. Thank God for God’s Word preached by various preachers in the conference. I was encouraged particularly by the theme sermons on the topic, “In His Steps”. The evening sermons addressing contemporary issues facing the church, like immorality, false preachers, false doctrines, etc., were also very helpful and much needed. May the Lord help the church to be discerning in these last days. I am also thankful to the Lord for the devotions given by the preachers, as well as for the exhortations from the mission fields.
It was really a great opportunity to know about the works in the mission fields of our church. The Lord has hitherto helped the missionaries to minister to the needs of the people, even in the midst of this great pandemic. It is encouraging to see how the Lord’s work is flourishing even in great difficulties. We will continue to uphold all the missionaries and their ministries in our prayers. We will particularly pray for the urgent requirement of provision of funds for the Cebu Building Fund.
Due to half-day lockdown restrictions and lack of connectivity in the home towns of our GBI students, many here didn’t manage to attend the sessions. But those who attended told me that they were blessed by the messages and had conveyed their gratitude for inviting them to attend the conference.
I like to express my gratitude to you, Eld. Mah, and others who had laboured much for this conference. May Lord bless all who served in different committees of this conference. Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement in the Lord. Please continue to uphold the work here in prayer.
Jessie Ng
Psalm 9:1 – “I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.”
It’s my joy to share the Lord’s wondrous grace and mercy upon me with all the brethren in Gethsemane BP Church. Earlier this year, I started to experience chest pains and weakening of my body. After going through medical tests, it was confirmed by the doctor that I had several heart-artery blockages, and needed bypass surgery.
I was anxious and worried about the thought of going through an open-heart bypass, given my senior age. Thank God for granting me assurance in my heart, to make the bold decision to go for the bypass. As I started to prepare for the surgery day, I was greatly comforted and reminded of Philippians 4:6-7 – “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
On hindsight, I wondered how I could go through such a major operation without a tinge of fear and anxiousness. Truly, I know the Lord’s presence is with me throughout this time. I am grateful to Him for His protection and sustenance of me during the operation. Even now, I give Him all praise and glory for my good recovery, as well as the bearable pain I am going through.
I am also deeply touched by the love and care I received from all the brethren from Gethsemane BP Church. I thank God for Pastor, the elders and brethren who have been caring and praying for me fervently. Truly, as Galatians 6:2 teaches us, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Thank you all for supporting me in prayer and action, which have helped me so much during this time.
All glory and praise be to our Lord!
Sermon Text: Philippians 1:27-30
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 13th June 2021
(Sermon starts around 28:12.)