Sermon Text: Psalm 22:22–31
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 2nd October 2022
Sermon Text: Psalm 22:22–31
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 2nd October 2022
Sermon Text: Psalm 22:1–21
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 25th September 2022
Nathanael Chung (Kuching)
I am thankful that I was able to attend the BW Retreat this year, especially with my exams being the very next week after the retreat. However, I learned to put my full trust in God that He will help me perform well, despite giving up a few days’ worth of revision so as to learn His Word. I was already aware that repentance is of significance to the life of a true Christian. However, the emphatic teaching that Christianity without repentance is like “a house without a base” drove home to me the importance of it even more. I am truly grateful to God that He has blessed Pastor Koshy to be able to preach so clearly to us. I pray that God will continue to help me keep the lessons I have learned in my mind at all times, so that I may be a better servant to Him.
Carolyn Koshy
I thank God for His provision, that my family can be in Kuching to attend the first BW Retreat held outside Singapore after several years of Covid restrictions. Many precious lessons have I learnt from the theme, “The Doctrine of Repentance”, of which I will only dish out some very important portions expounded by Pastor that have blessed my physical and spiritual well-being.
2 Chronicles 7:14 defines what repentance is – “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Repentance is acknowledgment and confession of our sins, as we also understand from Psalm 32:5 – “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.” We must then forsake our sins like the psalmist who said in Psalm 18:23, “… I kept myself from mine iniquity.”
Genuine repentance will bring forth “fruits worthy of repentance”, or else as Jesus warned, “the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire” (Luke 3:8-9). Genuine repentance will also propel us to do the will of the Father (cf. Matthew 21:28-31).
Proverbs 28:13 warns those who do not repent: “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Reluctance to repent brings divine chastisement, as Psalm 32:3-4 tell us: “When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer.” Psalm 38:3 illustrates the agony of unrepentant sins – “There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.”
God’s children have to recognise sins and their defilement, and the need to constantly repent as Paul has written, “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin … O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14, 24-25).
God promises great blessings to His repentant children - “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19)!
Last Thursday (22nd Sept), the following email from Pastor Reggor Galarpe arrived, informing us of an unexpected provision of a vehicle for the church in Cebu. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).
Dear Pastor Koshy,
Greetings to you in our Lord’s most blessed Name! With much thanks to our Lord, I would like to share our joy for the Lord’s provision upon the church.
Around lunchtime today, a sales agent from Hyundai knocked on our door to inform us of a delivery of a brand new van, addressed to Gethsemane BPC-Cebu in the care of my name. Initially, I was shocked and suspicious, knowing of the many scams around. But the agent showed me all the documents, even the official receipt that proved it’s fully paid for (PHP 1,315,000.00). It so happened that Eld. Eliezer was around as he had class at GBI that day. I asked him to come down, and together, we received the unit and listened to the agent as he oriented us with the vehicle’s features.
We tried to ask the agent who paid for the purchase, but he said he didn’t know as his manager only told him to deliver the unit. We will try to check with their office, so that we can acknowledge and convey our thanks to this “mysterious” generous person!
But one thing I’m sure of, is that it is the Lord’s provision! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
Respectfully yours,
Rev. Reggor
Sermon Text: Psalm 21:1–13
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 18th September 2022
Isabel Ng
“And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not” (Jonah 3:10).
I thank God for teaching me “The Doctrine of Repentance”, from His Word through Pastor Koshy during the recent Bible Witness Retreat. True repentance is turning from sin towards God in faith, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
One excellent example from the Bible was the godly response of the people of Nineveh when Jonah eventually preached to them about their wickedness against God, and God’s threat to punish them should they not repent. Many Christians pray about their sins, but few take immediate actions to stop their sins. I learnt that repentance is not a sad or remorse feeling towards sins. King Herod in Mark 6:22-26 was “exceeding sorry”, yet “he would not reject her (Herodias’ daughter)” concerning her wicked request to execute John the Baptist. The rich young ruler was also “very sorrowful” (Luke 18:24) that he had to give up his enormous wealth in order to get eternal life, which proved too much for him to obey. This is the “sorrow of the world (that) worketh death” (2 Corinthians 7:10b), the exact opposite of “godly sorrow (that) worketh repentance to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10a).
If we say we want to repent, we must cease from sinning and turn to God. It involves a change of mind, attitude and actual actions to break off (or mortify) sins. Mere conviction in one’s heart or confession of sins is not repentance. Our promise or prayer to God to stop sinning without fulfilling them is a very deceitful thing. True faith bringeth about obedience, so repentance without fruits of repentance is dead repentance. God’s Word has made me aware that confessions of sins (which I do so frequently) are only precursors to true repentance. If we, as true believers, say that “obedience is the very best way to show that you believe”, then we must also affirm that “departing from sin is the very best way to show that you repent”. As Pastor reminded us several times during the retreat, “repentance is permanent business of your hearts” and “a Christian’s life is a life of repentance”. May God help me to repent always, sincerely and rightly, till I reach heaven’s shore.
Chong Wing Keong
By God’s providence and loving kindness, the 21st Bible Witness Retreat at Kuching on “The Doctrine of Repentance” was accompanied with much spiritual refreshing and awakening.
Full knowledge of repentance is essential to true Christianity. Jesus Christ Himself has said that if we do not repent, we will perish. Biblical repentance is an easily misunderstood and misapplied concept that warrants close examination. It is vital therefore to study and know what the Scriptures have to say about repentance.
During the retreat, the participants were truly blessed by the Lord through Pastor Koshy’s teaching, whereby seven messages on repentance were presented in a very systematic and comprehensive way. The 3-day retreat also provided a blessed time of fellowship among the brethren, both from Singapore and Kuching.
All praise be to God for the faithful labour of both the teacher and crew members of the retreat.
Chong Lian Neo
As a homemaker, I endeavour daily to sweep the floor of my house clean of its dust and filth to make it habitable. So, likewise, a believer daily needs to remove the sinful thoughts, unwholesome feelings from his heart. Sins of omission and commission are to be got rid of as well. This can only be done through sincere confessions to our good Lord, Jesus Christ, for He alone can help us to leave sin and live obediently. This is called repentance. Daily, the individual believer needs to guard his heart zealously, not to repeat his sins. This is a major takeaway from the retreat.
Alongside the retreat, I especially enjoyed the warm Christian fellowship that the three days had afforded, as Covid-19 had limited our interactions prior to it.
It was indeed refreshing to be able to stroll leisurely down the River Sarawak to behold its placid waters and nature’s glory that surrounds it. Further ahead was the famous Chinatown, where I enjoyed purchasing local products and watching hawkers ply their trades, especially cooking up delicious local cuisines.
This “getaway” in Kuching to study God’s Word under the tutelage of our beloved pastor is a revitalising experience, which I hope will continue biannually, God willing.
Marcus Chee
Praise and thank God for a blessed time of Bible Witness Retreat! Thank God for His marvellous mercy in allowing us (my wife and I) to attend the retreat and for the precious lessons learnt on “The Doctrine of Repentance”. Through this Bible Witness Retreat, we learnt that repentance involves the acknowledgment, confession, and forsaking of our sins. We also realise what repentance is not, and that it should not be merely lip service or simply feeling sorry for the sins we have committed. Repentance must be derived from a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17), and should cause a real godly change in our lives - towards more holiness and sanctity. We finally would like to thank God for the opportunity to fellowship with like-minded brethren in Christ, especially with the brethren from Kuching. Praise be to God!
Doreen Ng
I am very thankful for the spiritual feeding I have received from the 21st Bible Witness Retreat. The messages have helped me to further appreciate Gospel repentance. Gospel repentance is “repentance unto life”, because the new mind is not merely to depart from evil, but to obtain the life that is found in Christ. Repentance is not merely sorrow for sin. There are many who weep over sin but, without repentance, immediately return to the same sin. Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a changed attitude towards sin, with subsequently a change of conduct, and thereby not going back again to the same sin. Judas Iscariot and Esau showed sorrow for their sins, but they did not repent. Remorse and tears often accompany repentance, but they are not repentance in themselves. Repentance is accompanied by change of conduct, just like the boy mentioned in Jesus’ parable in Matt 21:28-32, who at first refused to work in the vineyard. But he later repented, changed his mind, and then went to work in the vineyard.
Jesus’ first sermon after His baptism and testing in the wilderness was on repentance. All need to repent because all are guilty in God’s sight. Repentance comes before believing (Mark 1:15), before forgiveness (Luke 24:47), and before conversion (Acts 3:19). Repentance is a revolution touching our intellect, emotions, and affecting our will. Repentance is a twofold act: (1) turning from sin, and (2) turning unto God. Turning from sin without turning to God is reformation without regeneration. To receive all spiritual blessings (Eph 1:3), the redeemed sinner should never cease to be penitent.
Dns Diana Chan
I thank God for a very blessed and refreshing 21st Bible Witness Retreat, on “The Doctrine of Repentance”, held from Sept 6-8, 2022, in Kuching.
Thank God for the fellowship and the warm Christian hospitality from Bro. Jeremy Teo, Sis. Niki and their children, as well as Bro. Simon Chung, Sis. Fiona and their children. What a joy to see the youths in Kuching serving together (in the music, logistics and AV ministries) with the brethren from Singapore. Praise the Lord for the blessed opportunity! I also thank God for Dn Lok for coordinating the Retreat, and for Sis Rachel Leong for teaching the children.
I praise God for the spiritual nourishment from God’s Word on “The Doctrine of Repentance”. Thank God for Pastor who expounded this doctrine in great depth and breadth. I have benefited from the many valuable lessons on: ‘What Repentance is Not’, ‘What Repentance is’, ‘Necessity of Repentance in a Christian’s Life’, and ‘Blessings from Repentance’. I learned that I must “acknowledge my sin” unto God (cf. Psalm 32:5); that I must confess my sin and “declare mine iniquity” (cf. Psalm 38:18); and that I must forsake sin and “[keep] myself from mine iniquity” (cf. Psalm 18:23).
Regarding the application of this key doctrine of “repentance”, I realise that even with all my remorse and admission of sin, ultimately, there must be a change in my life. My thoughts, actions, behaviour must change. My life must glorify Christ! In brief, when we repent, there must be a “turn away” from sin, and a “turn towards” Christ. “Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way” (Psalm 119:37).
May the Lord help us to cease from sin, and live a life that is holy and acceptable unto God.
Lim Hong Kim
I thank God for Pastor Koshy’s faithful exhortations, and Dn Lok’s labour of love, together with the rest of the brethren’s service, for making this Retreat a wonderful spiritual experience. Beng Kheng and myself enjoyed the blessed fellowship. We always look forward to BW Retreats. Once again thank you.
Wilson Low
I thank the Lord for Dn Lok’s faithfulness in the recent Bible Witness Retreat. I have been blessed much by the messages, and rebuked by God’s precepts. May the grace of God abound as I live my life, which He has given me, to glorify His holy name. May the Lord of heaven bless both Pastor Koshy and Dn Lok richly, as they continue to serve the risen eternal Saviour and Lord, for His soon coming is so very near.
Simon Chung (Kuching)
I feel very thankful that the decision was made to hold the 21st BW Retreat here in Kuching, so that the brethren from Calvary Kuching BPC may attend it and have an excellent opportunity for fellowship with the brethren from GBPC, Singapore.
As a long-time Christian, I am not a stranger to the doctrine of repentance. However, my knowledge of it is rather sketchy and haphazard. My biggest takeaway from this Retreat was that I was able to learn Scripture’s comprehensive teaching about repentance. I was able to see it from a higher (that is, biblical) perspective. Thank God that each of the sermons was in-depth and thorough so that I could realign my messy thoughts in the light of Scripture, and revisit most of the relevant Scripture verses of both the Old and New Testaments on the topic of repentance.
It is never easy for Christians to live a holy and righteous life in this sinful world. “My sin”, as David said in Psalm 51:3, “is ever before me.” How I thank God that He forgives all who turn to Him in repentance through Jesus Christ. He shall deliver me from the body of this death through Jesus Christ our Lord. He shall renew me day by day. In Him, I am a new creature. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Amen.
Dominic Chung (Kuching)
Praise the Lord that I was able to join the 21st BW Retreat held here in Kuching. I thank God that I had a good fellowship with the brethren from GBPC, Singapore. I am thankful to be able to hear the messages about the topic of repentance, as I wasn’t clear about many aspects of it before. May God help me to understand the lessons and apply them to my daily life, as well as enable me to memorise the relevant Scripture verses and keep them in my heart so that I might not sin against God.
Jeremy Teo (Kuching)
Praise and thanks be to God for the 21st Bible Witness Retreat held recently (Sept 6-8) at the Pullman Hotel in Kuching. It is a biannual event of Bible Witness Media Ministry, of which my family and I have the privilege to attend in person for the very first time. I would like to thank Rev. Koshy and the BOE of Gethsemane B-P Church for their decision to hold the Retreat here in Kuching. It was really a blessed time of learning from the Word of God and of good Christian fellowship.
Initially, I did not think that I could attend all the sermon sessions because of my job commitments, but thank God that He made a way for me, and things turned out well. The theme of the 7 sermons was on “The Doctrine of Repentance”. It is a topic that is very much neglected by the churches today, but also one that is needful for all to hear and obey, especially us who are believers in Christ. Thank God for Pastor Koshy’s love, wisdom and faithfulness in teaching us from the Word of God. Thank God also for Sis Rachel Leong for teaching the young children.
Thank God for Dn Lok for his labour of love, humility and faithfulness in organising the Retreat and managing many tasks. Thank God for all the brethren who have joined this Retreat to draw nigh to God and His people. Participants from Singapore are an encouragement to us. It is never easy to travel overseas, especially in a large group. Truly, thank God for the elderly folks and those who came with their little ones to join this Retreat in spite of the many difficulties and inconveniences they faced – I’m most touched by their exemplary dedication to God.
Our Lord is good, His mercy endureth forever to His people. When we seek Him and His truth, He will provide a way. When we draw nigh to Him sincerely, with true repentance, He will surely draw nigh to us. All praise and glory to His blessed name, now and forevermore.
“I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels” (Philemon 1:10-12).
While the apostle Paul was imprisoned in Rome for the preaching of the Gospel, he met Onesimus, who was not a Christian then. Though it is not stated how Onesimus met Paul, who was languishing in prison, Paul did state that he converted Onesimus to Christ while he was in chains – “…Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds” (v. 10). Onesimus was a runaway slave. His master, Philemon, was a wealthy man from Colossae who became a devout Christian (cf. Colossians 4:9). It seems likely from Paul’s statement in v. 18 that Onesimus took money or possessions from Philemon and fled - “If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account” (v. 18).
Onesimus escaped from Colossae to Rome (which had taken him a distance that was well over 2,100 km) with the hope of not being recognised and caught. He would have been hoping to hide himself in the multitudes that thronged that city. In the Roman world of Paul’s day, fugitive slaves would flee abroad to large cities and be absorbed into the workforce or attempt to disappear into the subculture of the cities or join groups of robbers. Somehow, Onesimus’ plight put him in contact with Paul, perhaps as a fellow prisoner. Paul took this providentially arranged opportunity to preach the Gospel of Christ to Onesimus, which led to his conversion.
Whenever God provides opportunities to preach the Gospel to those behind bars, we must not miss them. It was also our Lord Jesus’ mission to minister the Gospel to those who were locked up in their sins, crimes and troubles – “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18-19; cf. Isaiah 61:1).
As Charles Wesley expressed it in his magnificent hymn, “O For a Thousand Tongues”,
“He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
He sets the prisoner free.”
Let us avail ourselves to the preaching of the Gospel to the prisoners, and those who are lost in addictions and the vicious cycle of sinful habits and their brutal consequences. Pray for The Gethsemane Care Ministry and Gethsemane Prison Ministry, and participate in them.
During the TGCM Anniversary Thanksgiving Service on Aug 9th, 2022, Pr Jeremiah Sim presented a report on Gethsemane Prison Ministry. The following is an extract from that report:
In the year 2010, some brethren of Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church (GBPC) were moved in their hearts to reach out to the inmates of Changi Prison with the Gospel message. With the encouragement and support of GBPC’s leadership, our preachers, as well as some brethren from our church and our affiliated churches, endeavoured to bring the precious Gospel truth to the prisoners, praying that they would come to Jesus Christ for their salvation.
While engaging in the prison ministry, we face tough challenges from (i) hardcore criminals who disrupt the classes with their loud conversations, argumentative questions, distracting conduct and gangsterism; (ii) professing Christians who are repeat offenders, having not fully given up their vices and crimes; and (iii) prisoners with personal issues (physical, mental, emotional problems), family issues, mutual disputes /conflicts, etc.
It is solely by God’s abundant grace which worketh in us that we are able to do this work for His glory. We earnestly thank the Lord for granting us the grace, strength, wisdom, patience and boldness, not only to face all the difficulties and challenges, but also to extend our hands with love and compassion to care for their souls.
Gethsemane Prison Ministry is an enormous opportunity to bring the Good News to the prisoners. We praise God for His grace upon us, as we minister and attend to them with much patience and love. We covet your earnest prayers for our prison ministry, particularly for those brethren who are entering the prison to minister the Gospel to the inmates. Pray also for more labourers to serve in this ministry.
Pr Jeremiah, Pr Daniel and Pr Kelvin make weekly visits to Changi Prison to minister the Word; and they are joined by several brethren from our church (Dn Ah Sang, Bro Kenneth, Bro Cayson, Bro David) and sister churches (Bro Samuel Goh, Pr William Goh, Bro Yong). We also thank God for two sisters from True Life B-P Church (Sis Joycelyn and Sis Katherine), who regularly visit the prison for women with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Scripture teaches the church to be always welcoming of those who come with sincere hearts of repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul wanted Philemon to receive Onesimus back to fellowship. Paul wrote, “whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels” (Philemon 1:12). The church today must continue to welcome prisoners who come to faith in Christ. Through the church, may they experience God’s restoring love and forgiveness.
We thank God for the joy and privilege of receiving several ex-prisoners, who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, to the membership and fellowship of our church. Some of them even serve in our church as full-time staff.
It is also my personal joy that, on a few occasions, the Lord had given me the opportunity to minister His Word to ex-prisoners. One of them, whom I visited in Queenstown Prison (before its closure), came to our church upon his release and worshipped the Lord for a few Sundays. Not too long after that, he went back to the world, entangling himself in a life of sin. However, he was struck with a sudden health emergency. I was given an opportunity to minister to him. He did indicate his repentance and renewed his faith before I left his hospital bed. Soon after that, the same day, he passed away.
In 2016, the Lord enabled me to minister to another young man in Changi Prison. I thank the Lord that eventually he came to our church, and now he worships the Lord with his family in our church. There are others also from similar background who presently worship regularly with us. Let us welcome them and encourage them to grow in the wisdom of His Word. May every one of us rejoice that God has commissioned us to a great ministry of liberty and restoration.
Dear Pastor Koshy,
Last Saturday, I let the children in Anda and Candijay (two outstations of Gethsemane B-P Mission Church, Bohol) watch the Bible Witness Web TV. Praise God for the edifying spiritual songs and sound biblical teachings about the Bible. I praise God for enabling me to translate the lessons into Cebuano. The children had a fruitful time answering the activity sheets I printed out for them from biblewitnesstv.com. God willing, every Saturday, I will let the children watch the programme on Bible Witness TV. May the Lord help the children to learn and remember many precious lessons from the Bible. All glory to God. I’m sending you some photos of the children in Anda and Candijay.
—Pr Edsel Locot
Sermon Text: Psalm 20:1–9
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 11th September 2022
The church of Jesus Christ needs godly men in the pews and pulpit whom He can count on to do His will and purposes in the church. When people within the church increasingly become materialistic, selfish, prideful, pleasure seekers, haters of the truth, and irreverent of God, we need to pray for godly men in our congregation. Very few men are genuine lovers of Christ and His righteousness these days. We live in a pernicious time, and hence we need to pray as David pleaded, “Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men” (Psalm 12:1).
God seeks those whose hearts are right with Him to take up the church’s offices, such as pastors, elders, preachers, deacons, etc. His chief concern is not about abilities or skills, but spiritual character. Hence, 1 Timothy 3:1-13 enumerates the spiritual and moral qualities required of elders and deacons who serve in church leadership.
God expects those who serve Him to be men of devout hearts. He delights in the humility and loyalty of the leaders of His people. In the Scriptures, we see God’s commendation of pious and zealous men who served Him. Here are some examples:
There is no greater honour that our church can receive than the godliness of its members and leaders. On the other hand, when the congregation is least concerned about godliness, the church will be scandalised, dishonoured, and degraded.
We praise God for the successful launch of Bible Witness TV on the 1st of September 2022. We are very grateful to note that people have started to watch it from around the world. Let us earnestly pray for the team that work daily on making the programmes available on BWTV for the edification of God’s people all around the world.
We would like you to introduce BWTV to your friends. You may send the following information to your contacts.
How to access:
If you use a smartphone or tablet, access it through our Church App (Gethsemane BPC, downloadable from your app store) for the best viewing experience. You can also view BWTV on a larger screen by casting from the app to your smart TV.
If you use a laptop or personal computer, you can watch BWTV on biblewitnesstv.com.
Notes received:
Dear Pastor,
Just a short note to add on to the many notes that you must have received, praising and thanking the Lord and you in leading the Bible Witness team over the many months culminating in the launching of Bible Witness TV. What a joyous occasion on this blessed first day of September 2022, to watch and be blessed by these wonderful videos! These videos showcase very well the often-quoted statement, “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God”, in the minds and hearts of all who laboured for Him in this endeavour. May the Lord be gracious to grant more great things for His glory.
—Elder Mah Chin Kwang
We praise God for the effort made in getting WebTV live. Thank you, Pastor. Please share with the BW team that we are praying for the good work they have done and thank God for their efforts.
—Bro. Lijoy K George
Sermon Text: Psalm 19:7–14
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 4th September 2022
Sermon Text: Psalm 19:1–9
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 28th August 2022