Text: 3 John 1-2
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 3rd January 2021
Text: 3 John 1-2
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 3rd January 2021
I think of the apostle Peter as an illustration. On one occasion, while Peter was walking on water towards Christ, he noticed the boisterous wind and began to sink. Fear and dread gripped him. Jesus rescued him, but with a rebuke: "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" (cf. Matthew 14:23-31). But there was a later event in his life in which Jesus taught him what it was to be rock solid in faith. Jesus had asked whom the disciples thought He was, and Peter had answered, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (cf. Matt. 16:15–18).
Many people have understood these words to mean that Jesus was going to build His church upon Peter. The Roman Catholic Church has interpreted Jesus' words as a promise that Peter would become the first pope, and that the church would be built on Peter and his successors. We rather understand Jesus' words as referring not to Peter himself but to Peter's confession of Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, and argue that the church is to be built on this confessional foundation.
Peter's own words in 1 Peter 2:4–8 provide us with his understanding of the above words of Christ to him. He insists that the Rock upon which the church or any individual Christian is to build is Jesus Christ.
"To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed."
Peter's insistence is that Christ is the Rock upon which His people are built up as a church. There is no suggestion whatsoever that he is the rock. In the light of those words of Peter, we can say that Peter (which means "a little stone") wanted us to know Christ Himself is the Rock upon which He builds His church. Peter learned that Jesus is the only possible foundation for a sure and stable Christian life. Peter had biblical grounds for understanding Jesus' teaching this way. He indicated it by three Old Testament quotations.
First, Isaiah 28:16. The prophet Isaiah spoke of God “lay[ing] in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation". Peter also emphasised that "he that believeth on him shall not be confounded" (1 Peter 2:6). Everyone, who lives by faith on Christ and His Word, will be built up together as a spiritual temple God.
Second, Psalm 118:22. Jesus applied Psalm 118:22 to himself during his earthly ministry, so Peter had learned to interpret the verse as Jesus did (cf. 1 Peter 2:7). Jesus told a parable about a householder who leased his vineyard to some husbandmen (or farmers). They tried to take over the field for themselves, eventually killing the owner's son, who had been sent to them to collect the profits. Jesus then asked, "When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?" His hearers correctly answered Him that "He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons." Jesus then applied it to Himself by quoting from Psalm 118:22, "Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?" (cf. Matt. 21:33–42; Acts 4:11). By this parable, Jesus was teaching that God is the owner of the vineyard. The leaders of Israel were the evil tenant farmers. The servants were the prophets, and the son who was killed was Jesus Christ Himself. Therefore, Christ is also the stone, rejected by the builders, who was to become the capstone (the head of the corner) of true biblical religion. Christ alone is the only sure foundation for His people.
Third, Isaiah 8:14. By using Isaiah 8:14, Peter added the thought of stumbling to the initial idea of rejection of Christ – "a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed" (1 Peter 2:8). Peter also warned that rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ, God's anointed Messiah, had a disastrous consequence, i.e. to fall spiritually or be lost forever.
Dear Gethsemaneans, may every one of us be strong in our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word. Then we shall be like a house well-built on a strong foundation of rock. And it shall be said of us, that "the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock" (Matthew 7:25).
Ruben Skariah
I would like to praise and thank God for the opportunity to attend the combined retreat of GYF and GYAF. During the retreat, I have learnt many precious lessons from the 4 theme messages and 2 morning devotions. Through the morning devotions on the theme, “Offering Spiritual Sacrifices”, taught by Bro Cornelius, I learnt about 4 sacrifices that we need to offer:
(1) I need to offer the sacrifice of my lips through praise and thanksgiving – “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15).
(2) I need to offer the sacrifice of prayer. We are duty-bound to offer up prayers as our daily obligation as priests.
(3) I should offer the sacrifices of repentance and righteousness – “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD” (Psalm 4:5). In order for us sinful men to have our spiritual sacrifices accepted by God, we need to first repent of our sins.
(4) Finally, the sacrifice of ourselves for others. I need to pour out my life to be spent for the service of the faith of others.
Through the theme messages on “What Should the Church Leadership Be?” taught by Pastor, I learnt that church leadership consists of divinely designed offices, and men whom God has commissioned to those offices. Hence, leadership in the church ought to be a divine appointment, which is preceded by biblical evidence, and in line with biblical expectations.
I am grateful to God for the fellowship with both youths and young adults that I had during the lunch and dinner breaks. I also thank God for the Bible Reading session on John 21:1-14, which has taught me to read the Bible with more understanding. May God help me to delight in His Word, and grow in faith. All glory to God!
Joey Peh
Truly, thank God for the recent combined YAF-YF Retreat on 25 and 26 December 2020, where the truths about church leadership were clearly expounded.
It was an illuminating study, especially the section on having an intense spiritual desire for the work. “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16). The burden to preach was so strong that the apostle Paul described it as being “pressed in the spirit” (Acts 18:5) by a constraining force (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:14).
I also praise the LORD for the morning devotions on "Offering Spiritual Sacrifices". In particular, Philippians 2:17-18, “Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me”, struck me. The joy bubbling from those who minister and those who are ministered unto—merging as one ceaseless river of praise—is a wonderful sight to behold.
May God stir all His children to serve with gladness, and to receive the service rendered by others in the same body of Christ with much thanksgiving.
Judy Lim
I am very grateful to God for the combined retreat of GYF and GYAF. I thank God for granting our church leaders the perseverance in feeding us with God’s Word amid challenging times, and for the brethren who labour much in planning and making the camp possible.
I learned from the morning devotions that God does not desire “burnt offering and sin offering” (Psalm 40:6), but He delights in “a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1), “a broken and a contrite heart” (Psalm 51:17), and “the sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15).
Pastor taught us that God designs church leadership, and every member in the leadership is under His direct supervision. We were taught that a godly leader should serve the Lord “with all humility of mind” (Acts 20:19) and possess Christ-like qualities.
The apostle Paul exhorts, “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21). So, may we respond to our divine calling and continue the good work that the Lord has started in Gethsemane!
As we are approaching the end of another year, we have no certainty whether we will live to the end of the next year. Will death come and remove us from this earth soon? No one can tell for sure. We had better be prepared for the end of our journey on earth.
I would like to share with you the perspectives of the devout Anglican bishop J. C. Ryle (1816–1900) on preparing for death by living well. The following article is the concluding section of his chapter on “Sickness” in his book, “Practical Religion”.
I conclude with a word of exhortation to all believers, which I heartily pray God to impress upon their souls. I exhort you to keep up a habit of close communion with Christ, and never to be afraid of "going too far" in your religion. Remember this, if you wish to have "great peace" in your times of sickness.
I observe with regret, a tendency in some quarters to lower the standard of practical Christianity, and to denounce what are called "extreme views" about a Christian's daily walk in life. I remark with pain, that even religious people will sometimes look coldly on those who withdraw from worldly society, and will censure them as "exclusive, narrow-minded, illiberal, uncharitable, sour-spirited," and the like. I warn every believer in Christ who reads this paper to beware of being influenced by such censures. I entreat him, if he needs light in the valley of death, to "keep himself unspotted from the world," to "follow the Lord fully," and to walk very closely with God (James 1:27; Num. 14:24).
I believe that the lack of "thoroughness" about many people's Christianity is one secret of their little comfort, both in health and sickness. I believe that the "half-and-half, keep-in-with everybody" religion, which satisfies many in the present day, is offensive to God, and sows thorns in dying pillows, which hundreds never discover until too late. I believe that the weakness and feebleness of such a religion never comes out so much, as it does upon a sick bed.
If you and I want "strong consolation" in our time of need, we must not be content with a bare union with Christ (Hebrews 6:18). We must seek to know something of heart-felt, experimental communion with Him. Never, never let us forget, that "union" is one thing, and "communion" another. Thousands, I fear, who know what "union" with Christ is, know little of "communion".
The day may come when after a long fight with disease, we shall feel that medicine can do no more, and that nothing remains but to die. Friends will be standing by, unable to help us. Hearing, eyesight, even the power of praying, will be fast failing us. The world and its shadows will be melting beneath our feet. Eternity, with its realities, will be looming large before our minds.
What shall support us in that trying hour? What shall enable us to feel, “I fear no evil” (Psalm 23:4)? Nothing, nothing can do it but close communion with Christ. Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith—Christ putting His right arm under our heads—Christ felt to be sitting by our side—Christ can alone give us the complete victory in the last struggle.
Let us…
Cleave to Christ more closely,
Love Him more heartily,
Live to Him more thoroughly,
Copy Him more exactly,
Confess Him more boldly,
Follow Him more fully.
Religion like this will always bring its own reward. Worldly people may laugh at it. Weak brethren may think it extreme. But it will wear well. At even time it will bring us light. In sickness it will bring us peace. In the world to come it will give us a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
The time is short. The fashion of this world passeth away. A few more sicknesses, and all will be over. A few more funerals, and our own funeral will take place. A few more storms and tossings, and we shall be safe in harbour. We travel towards a world where there is no more sickness—where parting, and pain, and crying, and mourning, are done with for evermore.
Heaven is becoming every year more full, and earth more empty. The friends ahead are becoming more numerous than the friends astern. “Yet a little time and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Heb. 10:37). In His presence shall be fulness of joy. Christ shall wipe away all tears from His people’s eyes. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is Death. But he shall be destroyed. Death himself shall one day die (Rev. 20:14).
In the meantime let us live the life of faith in the Son of God. Let us lean all our weight on Christ, and rejoice in the thought that He lives for evermore. Yes: blessed be God! Christ lives, though we may die. Christ lives, though friends and families are carried to the grave. He lives who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light by the Gospel.
He lives who said, “O death, I will be thy plagues: O grave, I will be thy destruction” (Hos. 13:14). He lives who will one day change our vile body, and make it like unto His glorious body. In sickness and in health, in life and in death, let us lean confidently on Him. Surely we ought to say daily with one of old, “Blessed be God for Jesus Christ!”
It is important that present and new members of the church understand our individual and collective calling from God for our existence and functioning as a faithful and fruitful church of the Lord Jesus Christ. So, I urge you to consider and pursue the following biblical truths concerning our calling as a church.
Church is a group of people whom God has called and assembled as His people through Jesus Christ. This truth is expressed in Paul’s first epistle to the church in Corinth – “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours” (1 Corinthians 1:2; cf. Romans 1:7).
Only when members of the church are aware of their call of God and passionately pursue that calling will the church be able to fulfil its calling. Members’ understanding and obedient response to the call of God are paramount to the church’s faithful and effective functioning for the glory of God.
The biblical depiction, “church of God” (1 Cor. 1:2; cf. Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 10:32; 11:22; 15:9; 2 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:13; and 1 Tim. 3:5), denotes that every local church – like those in Corinth, Ephesus and Galatia – belongs to God. God owns the church, having purchased it for Himself with the blood of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Acts 20:28). He has given the Headship of the church to His Son, Jesus Christ, who has given His life for her redemption for God’s glory. Paul wrote about the church in Rome that they were "the called of Jesus Christ" (Romans 1:6). So, no one should ever lord over the church, but Christ. It is not an institution or organisation that should be controlled and directed by human ideologies and fancies which are contrary to God’s revealed purposes in His Word. The church belongs to the LORD God, hence it is referred to as “the house of God” in 1 Timothy 3:15.
The church (in Greek, ekklesia – “the called out ones”) is formed by those whom God has called out of the darkness of sin and the world, to be an assembly of holy people. That is why Paul explicitly speaks of the members of the church that they “are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints” (1 Corinthians 1:2b; cf. Roman 1:7). The word “sanctified” (hagiazo) means “to be separated from profane things and be dedicated to God for His use”. It is in Christ that we are sanctified from sin unto God. Christ cleanses us from our sins by His blood and imputes His righteousness to us, that we may be separated from sin unto God for His service. Scripture says, "we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Hebrews 10:10). In Ephesians 5:25-26, Paul said, “Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.”
Paul also mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:2 about the congregation of Corinth that they were “called to be saints”. Being sanctified or separated from sin, the members of the church are “to be saints”. The calling of the church is to function as a congregation of saints. The church and its members are summoned by God to live a life of holiness in this wicked world. No organisation or group of people on earth is endowed with a holy calling, but the church and its members. Any member of the church who lives in worldliness and sin without genuine repentance defies God’s call and corrupts His purpose for His church. So, let us cease from every sin and live a holy life that pleases our blessed Master, who loved us and gave His life for our sanctification. Nothing weakens the church as much as the sin of its people. Thus, we must separate ourselves from sin and falsehood. Scripture reminds us again in 1 Thessalonians 4:7 – "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness." The Lord has “saved us, and called us with an holy calling” (2 Timothy 1:9). So, let us walk in holiness, in obedience to the calling we have received from the Lord.
As much as the church of God is called to be saints, it is also “called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9). Likewise, the apostle John wrote: “truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3). Our fellowship (or partnership) with Christ, the Son of God, must determine every fellowship we have with people or organisations. Our fellowship within the church must also be based upon Christ. In other words, we should not enter into a relationship or fellowship that would dishonour or hinder our fellowship with the Son of God. John warned us: “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1 John 1:6). Paul also reminded us in Ephesians 5:10-11, "Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Every church member ought to examine himself to see whether his fellowship with Christ is growing more affectionate and profound, or whether it is hindered by sins and worldly friendships and activities.
The effectiveness of a church is very much dependent on the strength of its members’ fellowship with Christ. If church members abide in Christ, the church will be a fruitful one. The stronger its relationship with Christ, the greater is the impact of the church as a witness to the world!
In 1 Corinthians 1:24, we read: “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” God has called both Jews and Greeks alike, that they may have Christ as their power and wisdom. In the church, everyone, regardless of ethnic or national diversity, has the same spiritual inheritance. In Christ, every man, whether Jew or Greek, is called to partake of the divine provision of power and wisdom. All believers share in the same spiritual inheritance. Therefore, there is no reason why any true believer should feel that he is less privileged or more privileged than others. We are all joint-heirs with Christ! In Romans 8:17, Paul wrote: “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.” Let us therefore regard one another in the church with mutual respect and love. Let us not despise, but esteem one another, and thus keep our unity in Christ for God’s glory.
In 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, Paul dealt with members of the church who were from different classes of society, and taught them how they should live as Christians though God’s providential appointments for them in society vary. He wrote: “But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God” (1 Corinthians 7:17- 24). Even though Christians are all one in Christ, each believer should remain in the same calling which the Lord has providentially allotted to him. Jewish believers should not try to become Gentiles (by erasing the physical mark of the covenant), and Gentiles should not try to become Jews (by being circumcised).
A Christian’s past religious, racial or social background and his present vocation are of little consequence in his spiritual relationship with Christ. If the vocational status of a Christian can improve, well and good; if it does not, it is not a matter of concern. What matters is that every Christian should realise that he is Christ’s slave and needs to render obedience to Him. Every vocation then becomes Christian service performed for the Master (cf. Ephesians 6:5-8). A Christian can then live in peace in his calling to whatever earthly vocation, and carry it out as one responsible to God.
In the church, members must hold one another in high esteem (Philippians 2:3; cf. Romans 12:10). No church can prosper if it is not united by mutual love and respect. Selfishness and pride will ruin the church, but a sacrificial spirit and humility will promote its unity and strength. So, may all church members take heed of Paul’s advice in Ephesians 4:3-4, “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.” Paul also reminded us, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
The apostle Paul’s words to Timothy, who received the Lord’s calling, are emphatic concerning the undivided attention he ought to give to do the Lord’s work: “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:3-4).
A full-time church worker, whom God has called into His glorious work, has the solemn duty to be loyal, dedicated like a soldier. Firstly, he must endure all kinds of hardships which he would encounter in the service of the Lord, that he may faithfully and efficiently carry out God’s work. He must be prepared to endure long hours of work (even deprivation of sleep), challenging conditions, rough treatment, loneliness, hunger, thirst, etc. If he is singleminded in his employment in the church to accomplish the maximum for the Lord’s kingdom, he will be enabled to be an overcomer of all his afflictions. Then he will be able to serve the Lord undeterred by his trials.
Secondly, the full-time church worker’s soldier-like attitude would mean that his devotion to his God-given areas of service would be full and total. A soldier in active service is totally dedicated to his nation’s army 24 hours a day, every day of the year. His health, his skills, his time are pledged to the military in which he serves. His life – all that he is — no longer accepts other pursuits of life as he has yielded himself wholly for the service of his nation’s army. A soldier can be recalled to duty from leave at any time, without notice and for any reason. His allegiance and his dedication are so complete that he is expected to put his very life on the line without question or hesitation!
Albert Barns, a commentator, while commenting on Paul’s statement that “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life”, wrote as follows: “This is always a condition in becoming a soldier. He gives up his own business during the time for which he is enlisted and devotes himself to the service of his country. The farmer leaves his plough, and the mechanic his shop, and the merchant his store, and the student his books, and the lawyer his files, and the doctor his clinic; and neither of them expect to pursue these things while engaged in the service of their country. It would be wholly impracticable to carry on the plans of a campaign if each one of these classes should undertake to pursue his profession. So with the ministers of the gospel. It is equally improper for them to ‘entangle’ themselves with the secular business, with plans of speculation and gain, and with any purpose of worldly aggrandizement. The minister of the gospel accomplishes the design of his appointment only when he can say in sincerity, that he is not entangled with the affairs of this life.”
Every good soldier of Jesus Christ will abandon all forms of secular commitments that will distract and impede his undivided attention in fulfilling his duties. Hence, a church worker should not take on anything that will distract him from his total devotion to the Lord’s calling. He must reject all matters that are irrelevant to the Christian ministry. Extraneous undertakings would divert his attention and diminish his contribution to the work of the LORD. He who allows himself to be entangled with secular pursuits is unworthy to be a soldier of the Lord’s kingdom. He who claims to be called to full-time service should not allow anything to hinder his usefulness and achievements in the work of the Lord. A faithful servant of the Lord will be sincere and fervent in the Lord’s work. He will not merely do his minimum duty for his Lord, but rather serves Him with all that he is and with everything that he has.
When Jesus called His apostles, they left their secular professions ultimately to pursue the Lord’s calling. In Matthew 4:18–22, we read of their total abandonment of their earthly career: “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him” (cf. Matt 9:9; Mk 1:16-20; 2:14; Lk 5:27-28).
Pursuing secular employment, business or projects, trying to earn more money, will impede the church worker’s focus on the Lord’s work. Christ warned His apostles against such conduct. He said, “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Luke 16:13). A church worker who is entangled in the pursuit of material gain is indeed in an unholy alliance. If he does not repent from his material pursuit immediately and turn to serve the Lord wholeheartedly, his departure from the work of the Lord is inevitable!
Church workers who openly or secretly pursue material gain will fail to give their very best to the Lord. Worse still, they will be bad examples of faith and commitment, and be unreliable and unsteady people in the work of the Lord. Their fellow workers cannot count on them when their presence and help are most needed. Neither will they be responsible and reliable co-workers. The apostle Paul wrote about a man named Demas who once co-laboured with him but eventually abandoned him – “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world…” (2 Timothy 4:10). Sad to say, many churches and servants of God have been troubled by pastors, preachers and church workers who became distracted from the purpose of the full-time service when they began to pursue financially profitable business and enterprises!
Why would a man, who claims to have the calling and assurance from the Lord to serve Him full-time, turn again to the secular world and engage in business with it? No matter how difficult life may be, he who is called to the Lord’s work must press on with faith, patience and prayer! Let everyone who has already entered the full-time service, and anyone who desires to enter the ministry consider the words of the Lord Jesus in Luke 9:62, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Let all the workers of the church take heed not to be misled by “the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches”, which will make one unfruitful (cf. Matt 13:22).
Let us all, who have entered the full-time service of the Lord in the church, cultivate the right thinking and attitude necessary to offer our utmost and the best for the high calling that we received from Him. Like Paul, let us say, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). Let us commit our needs and struggles to our God who “is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
Nothing is more important for His servants than pleasing Him who has chosen us to be a soldier. Every servant of the Lord looks forward eagerly to the rewards that Christ will give to all His faithful and loyal servants.
It is God who has ordained family life. Families are God-ordained institutions. The family is meant to be a spiritual institution which ought to reflect Christ’s loving leadership of the church, and the church’s loving submission to Him. God’s Word – in Ephesians 5:22-33 – declares in no uncertain terms those divine intentions and plans concerning Christian families: "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband."
As the above biblical exhortation insists, the goal of every Christian family is to promote the glory of Christ and His redemptive, sanctifying love and truth. God expects every Christian’s domestic life to exist and function for His glorious purpose concerning His church – that is the theology of the Christian family.
Knowing God’s particular purpose for Christian families, nothing ought to matter to Christian couples more than being the servants of the LORD, be it within their domestic life or without. Every Christian home ought to be covenanted to the Lord to be His servants, as reflected in the words of Joshua: “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).
Every family must avow to be a biblical family, committing itself only to desires, pursuits and conduct that are in total conformity with God’s Word. God expects Christians’ families to be spiritually-minded in all aspects of life. The life and activities of the family members must be characterised by reverence and devotion to the LORD.
“Fear of the LORD” must characterise every Christian husband, the head of the household, as he labours and guides his wife and children (cf. Psalm 128). Nurturing a God-fearing family must be his primary goal. For this purpose, he himself must be a man of strong faith and abiding devotion to the LORD. Though there are situations when special grace is given to a lady (like a widowed mother, or the wife of a severely disabled man) to guide the family in the ways of God, it is the unalterable duty of the Christian man to nourish and nurture his family. Husbands who are negligent or complacent, and fail to actively guide their families into godly living and service to the Lord are guilty of dereliction of the most solemn duty that God has entrusted to them.
Every man must examine himself always to keep himself focused and committed to his God-given task of nurturing his family. He must persistently ensure that the counsels of God’s Word guide his thoughts and affections, that he may carry out the solemn charge of building his family for the Lord’s glory. It is indeed an accursed thing to encourage or allow the family to pursue an unscriptural, worldly manner of life. Every man who would not instruct his family to follow the Scriptures strictly is like Eli, the priest, who spurned his fatherly duty of rebuking and correcting his sons. Let none of us be vessels of God’s wrath “because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not” (1 Samuel 3:13).
Christian wives must steadfastly support and encourage their husbands to build a thoroughly devout, God-fearing family. The wife must be submissive and meek, prayerfully fulfilling her duties at home. For this purpose, she must examine herself and see whether she adheres to God-given duties of the young married women: “to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:4-5). It is for the accomplishment of this divine calling for every Christian wife that Scripture admonishes every young woman in the church to “marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully” (1 Timothy 5:14). Concerning women who neglect their biblical duties to be homely and godly wives, it is written as a warning that “some are already turned aside after Satan” (1 Timothy 5:15)!
Christian families, where husbands and wives throw the biblical instructions and admonitions to the wind, and pursue their self, material and worldly glory, are in great danger of reaping shame and sadness. If any of you has failed in your God-given family duties, repent and plead for God’s mercy, and amend your ways at once.
All praise and glory be unto God for His goodness and faithfulness for giving me an opportunity here in Anda, Bohol, to serve Him in teaching the children. Who could have thought before the Covid-19 pandemic that I would be staying here, but God in His providence has brought me here. Indeed, God’s ways are higher than our ways. Isaiah 55:8 declares, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.”
When my application to travel to Bohol was approved after two months of waiting, I believe it was an open door for me to go – and it was confirmed by Pastor Koshy’s and Pastor Reggor’s approval and support. But Anda was never part of the original plan. It was only later that Preacher Edsel decided it would be better if I could stay in Anda and minister to the children there. It started with only four of them, then the Lord slowly added more children, Sunday after Sunday. So much so that we started to face a good problem, when we came to a point of not having enough chairs for them. By God’s goodness and timely provision, we were able to make long chairs and tables for the children. Praise God for His goodness and faithfulness! I am thankful to God for this opportunity to impart to them the spiritual truths from the Word of God. May God be pleased to grant them salvation, in His own time and according to His will.
I thank God also for the many opportunities He has opened for me wherein I can minister to the brethren here and even be of help in the neighbourhood. Thank God for one instance whereby He enabled me to assist a neighbour in the delivery of her twins (a boy and a girl)! And may God enable us to share the Gospel with the parents of the twins, their relatives and neighbours.
Being hands-on in the field is never easy, for I often find myself inadequate for the tasks in front of me; but God is so good in sustaining and helping me week after week, and His grace is always sufficient. There were many challenges and trials along the way which sometimes did cause me to be drained emotionally, physically and mentally. But God has His ways of cheering me up, and giving me strength to press on and move forward through His Word, as well as through the children whom God used to remind me of my calling – which is to go and “preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:7)!
I am thankful also for using the messages preached by Pastor Koshy (especially those on the Book of Ecclesiastes) to rebuke and comfort me. Of particular note to me are the lessons drawn from: Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven”; and Ecclesiastes 3:11a – “He hath made every thing beautiful in his time”.
Indeed, every thing has a time, every thing has a season, and it is determined by God. Every thing has a purpose, every thing has a set of direction in God’s plan. Only God can make all things beautiful for us – in His time, of course. God is sovereign and He is in control of everything. May God continue to help us to patiently wait for His perfect time. While waiting, may God continue to sanctify us to be ready for the work He has purposed for us to do.
Brethren, please continue to pray for us.
Text: Selected Scriptures
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 6 December 2020
Some advocate that all preachers should support themselves because the apostle Paul engaged in ‘secular work’ on some occasions (e.g. tent-making when he was in Corinth – cf. Acts 18:3; 20:34-35; 1 Corinthians 4:12; 2 Thessalonians 3:8-9) in order to support himself. However, this was not the norm for either Paul or others who are called to be ministers of the Word (pastors, preachers, etc.). The instructions in Paul’s writings and the rest of the New Testament on the subject is that the church should support her Gospel-workers so that they may give themselves to the ministry of the Word and to the care of souls, without being burdened and distracted by their own personal and families’ needs.
Paul asked the Corinthians, “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?” (1 Corinthians 9:11). In other words, Paul was asking the Corinthian church whether it would be too much to receive material rewards from them for the spiritual work that Paul and his apostolic team had rendered to them. In fact, Paul had earlier argued, “Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?” (1 Corinthians 9:7). Here, Paul gave three illustrations to show that paying workers is normal and valid, and hence it was nothing wrong for Gospel-workers to receive their wages/support. Paul put forward this truth through rhetorical questions which obviously anticipated the answer: “None!” Soldiers, farmers and shepherds do not fight or labour during the day and then take a second job at night to procure food, clothes and houses for themselves and their families. Soldiers do not serve their king and nation at their own expense. They are provided with food, clothing, arms, lodging, and whatever else is needed to live and fight effectively. Farmers who cultivate crops, and shepherds who tend their flocks eat their food and earn a living from the products of their farming and shepherding respectively.
The apostle then said that such an expectation to provide for the ministers of the Word is Scripturally lawful - “Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?” (1 Corinthians 9:8-9). The law of God, cited by Paul from Deuteronomy 25:4, states that God expects His people not to neglect the animals that labour for them. Even more importantly, according to Paul, the Lord’s command to care for their labouring animals was meant to teach His people about the duty to provide for the needs of human workers who faithfully and diligently labour. God’s concern is greater for men than animals (cf. Matthew 10:31; Luke 12:7, 24, 28). So Paul wrote, “Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope” (1 Corinthians 9:10). Paul’s emphasis is that God was speaking altogether for man’s sake, rather than for animals. Men should earn their living from their labour. The ploughman and the reaper should be able to work in the hope of having their share from the crops.
In fact, Paul observed that some who have been serving in the Corinthian church were already receiving material support from them – “If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather?” (v. 12a). However, he chose not to receive the material support that was due to him – “Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ” (v. 12b). Paul decided not to receive the support from the church in Corinth, not because that it was wrong to do so, but he felt that (in this case) it might have hindered the Gospel work. The Corinthian believers, who were young in faith (and with some from Gentile background), might have thought of Paul as peddling the Gospel for money.
He went on to affirm that the right thing is for the ministers of the gospel to receive support from the church - “Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:13-14). Paul provided two examples from Israel’s religious life and Jesus’ ministry. Paul’s first reference was to the Old Testament practice of supporting the priests who performed sacred services in the Temple with the tithes of crops and animals, as well as with portions allocated from sacrifices of the people. Because the tribe of Levi had no inheritance in Israel, God demanded that the Levites should receive their income from the gifts which the people brought to God’s sanctuary (Deut. 18:1). The priests received a share of what was offered on the altar. So, Paul’s emphasis is that the provisions for the pastors and preachers of the gospel should be based on the same principle of provisions for the priests and Levites of the LORD’s temple in the Old Testament. The second supporting precedent that Paul cited was Jesus’ instruction to His disciples whom He sent out to minister to the people – “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” Jesus had advised His disciples that “in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house” (Luke 10:7; cf. Luke 9:4; Matthew 10:10-11; Mark 6:10). The Lord Jesus’ advice for His servants was that they ought to receive their support from those whom they ministered. Jesus considered the preaching mission to be a full-time task that would prevent the preachers from earning income in a normal occupation. So, He affirmed their right to be supported.
With all the above arguments, Paul had put forth a watertight case for the support of the full-time ministers of the Word. He had cited the social norm, God’s Law and God’s Son to prove the legitimacy and necessity of material recompense for the teachers of God’s Word. It would be difficult to overemphasise the force of Paul’s argument about the duty of the believers (or the church) to remunerate those who taught them. To the Galatian church, he insisted, “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things” (Galatians 6:6). Likewise, while exhorting Timothy, he wrote, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward” (1 Timothy 5:17-18; cf. 2 Timothy 2:6).
It is abundantly clear that Scripture stipulates that the beneficiaries of the ministry of God’s servants ought to supply their needs. The remuneration which they extend to the minister must adequately provide for his necessities and personal expenses in equipping himself for the ministry. Providing a salary that would sufficiently support the minister and his family is the duty of the church where he ministers.
If it was Paul’s view that the church must remunerate the full-time workers of the church, why did he refuse his legitimate and irrefutable right to remunerations from the Corinthians at a great cost to himself? And why did he choose to be bi-vocational at times? Paul’s reason was that while he preached in pioneer areas in a pagan environment, he did not want the matter of his remuneration to be a distraction or hindrance to his hearers. He advocated greater flexibility in winning their hearts to the Gospel (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:8-11). Paul could hardly go to a new community and say, “The Lord commanded me to be supported by you.” Jesus’ words did not apply in the context of spreading the Gospel in the Hellenistic world. Modern missionaries too face similar circumstances as Paul in their pioneering work. Hence, the sending churches must support the missionaries. Paul himself gratefully accepted the help sent to him by the established churches, such as the church in Philippi – “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity… Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity” (Philippians 4:10, 14-16; cf. 2 Corinthians 8:1-2; 11:8-9).
Text: Selected Scripture Verses
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 29 November 2020
Written by Sharon dela Cruz
Lamentations 3:22-25 declare, “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.”
I praise and thank the Lord for His grace and goodness, mercy and faithfulness in my life, and for the wonderful privilege to serve Him. Indeed, there is no greater joy than to serve our faithful and loving Shepherd. Through the many changing scenes of life, the Lord has been my Guide and Strength. In times of sorrow and trial, He has been my Comfort and Friend. As I learn to trust Him more and more, my prayer is that I may continually submit to His will for my life.
By God’s providence, I was led to study design and animation during my polytechnic studies. When I first started my course, it was my prayer that I could use these skills to develop children’s teaching materials in the future. I desired and prayed that I may use my talents for the Lord, though I did not know how or where I could serve Him in the future. During that period of studies, I was also searching for a youth fellowship to attend; by God’s wonderful working, I came to know of Gethsemane Youth Bible Hour (GYBH), and thereafter started regularly attending GYBH and services at Gethsemane BP Church.
Upon my graduation in 2004, the Lord answered my prayer and guided me to render some months of service to the Lord. I started as a volunteer in Bible Witness Media Ministry (BWMM) and was later employed as a full-time staff in this ministry. I was convinced in my heart that I should put my skills, energy and time fully to serve the Lord, rather than serving worldly companies and be vexed in my heart doing secular projects that promote worldly ideologies. I was exhorted through the Word of God, in 1 Corinthians 15:58, that I should give my best efforts for the Lord: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
I started with doing illustrations for various children’s materials and the Bible Witness magazine, in particular the series of comics on the life of Jonathan Goforth for the Children’s Page. Subsequently, I worked on the animation and graphics for the first production of “The Scripture in Song” DVD. With each new project for the children through BWMM, whether through DVDs, CDs, online and printed materials, I learned the importance and priceless value of teaching God’s Word, especially to the young ones, for there is no greater knowledge than that found in the Bible. “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. 5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them. 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:4-6).
I also thank God for the opportunity given to me to study some courses in FEBC. When I joined BWMM, Pastor Koshy encouraged us to take the Systematic Theology course so that we would be better equipped and grounded in the doctrines of the Bible, which I found to be a truly helpful and needful study. Praise God that He has enabled me to continue studying part-time courses online. I have been greatly blessed and have learnt many spiritual lessons under the guidance of Pastor and fellow labourers. Through the years, I have seen the Lord’s marvellous work in providing for our church. I particularly recall how our Bible Witness magazine used to be printed only in dual tone-two colours, but now the Lord has provided us with the means to print in full colour. Over the years, I have also witnessed how the Lord has always provided new brethren to serve when many left. Truly, the Lord is faithful.
In 2008, some months after the inauguration of Gethsemane Mission Church in Bogo, the Lord moved Pr Dominino to ask me to serve with him in the mission field. At first, I struggled with the thought of leaving my family and friends in Singapore to go to a foreign land, but I remember Pastor telling me to have the courageous spirit of Esther, that “If I perish, I perish.” The Lord rebuked me and convicted my heart with Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:37 – “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me”. And so in March 2009, we were married in the Philippines and we laboured together in northern Cebu, in Bogo and San Antonio. By God’s grace, He enabled me to serve Him and I found much joy in teaching the children in both Bogo and San Antonio, as well as the various children’s ministries in Gairan and Binabag. The Lord also blessed us with our son, Nehemiah, in 2010.
However, in 2011, Domy was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer – Pseudomyxoma peritonei, a rare malignant growth characterised by the progressive accumulation of mucus-secreting (mucinous) tumour cells within the abdomen and pelvis. Though he went for many rounds of chemotherapy and tried various treatments, even coming to Singapore for surgery, the Lord took him home in July 2013. Through all the struggles, I thank God for His grace and strength, comfort and guidance, and for the love, prayers and generous giving of the brethren to aid us in our time of need. We truly experienced the Lord’s goodness and providence through the body of believers.
I would like to share 2 blessings that came through Domy’s sickness. Firstly, when Domy felt unwell in the beginning, a doctor misdiagnosed him with TB of the intestines, but this turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Nehemiah had been suffering from a persistent cough that would not go away. His paediatrician, upon knowing Domy’s condition, decided to test Nehemiah for TB. The test came back positive, and Nehemiah was put onmedication for 6 months! Looking back, I see the Lord’s sovereign Hand working in all these events. Secondly, I recall the day after we received the news of Domy’s cancer, when we went home with heavy hearts and minds. It was a Saturday, and there was to be Youth Fellowship that afternoon. Domy decided to bring the youths to do evangelism in the Binabag and Libjo area. Through this effort, a senior gentleman, Bro Toto, was brought back to Christ after years of backsliding. He offered a small shelter next to his house for a children’s ministry – and there, the Libjo children’s ministry was born, which continues till today.
At that time, I did not understand why the Lord made me a widow at the age of 29, with a 3-year-old son to care for, but I took comfort in that the Lord knows the end of each path that I take, and when I am tried and purified, I shall come forth as gold (cf. Job 23:10). Indeed, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). When I moved back to Singapore in September 2014, I desired to serve the Lord in any area that He would lead me to. However, I also had a duty to fulfil as a mother. I struggled for some time, facing criticism from some that I was neglecting my service to look after my child. But I thank God that I could still do little (but no less important) things for the Lord, even from home. I praise the Lord for every opportunity given to me to be part of this great work of spreading the Gospel and providing godly materials for children to be nourished up in the faith. I thank God I could finish the “Growing in Christ” animated Bible lessons (which are now on YouTube) for children to watch. I thank God also for enabling me to help in the packing and distribution of the Bible Witness magazine, and for Dn Lok’s patience in guiding and teaching me in these matters.
I also praise God that I can now have the privilege to work part-time in GMC, doing designing and coming up with illustrations for various projects, such as the activity book for the Genesis lessons, story-boarding and videoediting for the scripts being recorded for WebTV. Praise the Lord that I am also involved in transcribing some of Pastor’s messages, mixing of songs, as well as editing and compiling the weekly “Women of Virtue” segment for BWWR (Bible Witness Web Radio). I am particularly thankful for Sis Melissa, who patiently taught me how to use the software and do the mixing / editing. This became especially useful during the “circuit-breaker” period, when the choir had to do remote recordings from home. Praise the Lord for His enablement and grace each day.
Though I have faced some criticism for not working full-time and supporting my parents and child, and for not upgrading myself so that I could get a secular job and secure better prospects for the future, I thank the Lord for strengthening my resolve to still take care of Nehemiah and serve the Lord where He places me, trusting Him to provide. “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?... But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:26, 33).
I pray the Lord will continue to use me in BWMM, and/or in other areas of service in Gethsemane – for His glory and for the edification of the saints, and that I may serve Him in humility and faithfulness.