Sermon Text: Matthew 5:13–16
Speaker: Pr Jeremiah Sim
Date: 24th March 2024
Sermon Text: Matthew 5:13–16
Speaker: Pr Jeremiah Sim
Date: 24th March 2024
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
This verse begins with the connective particle “wherefore”, which refers us to James’ discussion in the preceding verse that God begat Christians according to His will by the truth of His Word. All genuine Christians are the children of His family. In this regard, James addressed fellow believers as “my beloved brethren”. Then he exhorted them as to how they should conduct themselves as children of God’s family.
The first conduct of a child of God that James teaches, is that he ought to “be swift to hear”. The primary emphasis of this advice is that every Christian ought to be eager and ready to hear God’s Word. Listening attentively to the instructions of the divine truth, by which every Christian is begotten, is crucial in the life of God’s child. His foremost calling is to be a student, rather than a teacher, of God’s Word. He must be teachable and have a great appetite to feed on God’s truth. A holy curiosity and a receptive spirit are paramount if he is to grow in the knowledge of God.
The second conduct of a child of God that James teaches, is that he ought to be “slow to speak”. This is certainly not an advice to promote some kind of unsociable reserve. There is no virtue in being uncommunicative. We are not forbidden from speaking altogether. We are not taught to abstain from speaking entirely, but to be slow to speak. The admonition is against talkativeness and hastiness to be a teacher. Such restraint in speech has been taught in the wisdom books of the Bible. Proverbs 10:19 reminds us, “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” Proverbs 17:27 says, “He that hath knowledge spareth his words”. In Ecclesiastes 5:2, we are warned: “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God”.
The third conduct of a child of God that James teaches, is that he ought to be “slow to wrath”. Quick-temperedness and fiery outbursts will lead to many great and heinous offences and sins. So we are to control our temper. Moreover, to be a good learner of God’s Word, one needs to be patient in spirit. Let us not be angry, especially when we are rebuked and corrected by His Word. Proverbs 14:29 reminds us, “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding”. He who is slow to anger shall attain wisdom and honour, but the wrathful man, only foolishness and shame.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The first word “and” takes our attention to what has been discussed in the preceding verse. In the light of the earlier verse, we learn that while anxiety destroys the peace of heart, prayer restores and maintains peace in our hearts. To everyone who in everything prays with thanksgiving (v. 6), the peace of God is promised!
The “peace of God” is the peace which God gives. The peace referred to here is the blessed assurance that God bestows upon a praying soul in the midst of his needs and troubles. No one else can grant us peace, but the Possessor of peace, our Lord Himself. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). The peace of God is not a wish or prayer, but a promise of God; it is guaranteed.
The peace that God promises is incomprehensible to man, for it “passeth all understanding”. No person could ever imagine or device it. There is nothing in this world that can offer such a noble and superior peace as that which God offers. This is not the result of self-esteem or selfconfidence. This cannot be secured by the schemes and powers of man. This is not what man achieves through the practice of some meditation techniques. No psychologist or psychotherapist can offer such peace and tranquillity as God promises. Though unfathomable to men, it is the Christian’s experience. God’s peace will be powerfully at work in the lives of those who rely on Him in prayer.
The human reasoning often leads to doubt and anxiety. When man’s desperate ingenuity fails to alleviate his problems, he falls further into anxiety and depression. However, God’s peace is effective in removing all disquietude. It “shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Our hearts and minds, our affections and thoughts need to be guarded; here we are promised that the peace of God will protect them. Unguarded passions and imaginations will destroy our testimony and effectiveness. Unwise decisions and foolish speculations can wreck our and others’ lives. But when our hearts and minds are guarded by God’s peace, we shall be safe and sound. Such protective peace from God comes through Christ, who is the source of our salvation and all divine blessings.
6b But in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Herein we have the remedy to the terrible malady of anxiety. Prayer helps us to battle anxiety and get rid of it from our hearts. By praying to God, we can repress anxiety. Prayer frees us from anxiety.
Prayer is the expression of our faith in the Lord. We tell the Lord all our needs and troubles in prayer because we trust in His help, which He has promised. When we pray, we affirm that God cares for us, and that His care for us is the best. Every praying man declares that no one ever cares for him like his God. When the heart is taught to believe in the good providence of God and encouraged to express that faith by communing with God in prayer, anxiety will naturally be resisted and driven out.
We are instructed that “in every thing” we must pray. “Don’t be anxious about anything, but pray about everything!” is the divine counsel. There are some who pray only when great needs or troubles come upon them. If we do not pray in everything, even what appears to be a “small matter” can fill our heart with anxiety and wreck our peace. Nothing is too small to destabilise our life; hence, nothing is too small to bring to God. If we are ready to believe that nothing is too great for God to care for, then let us also believe that nothing is too small for us to confide in Him. God, who made this gigantic universe, also cares for the tiny sparrows.
Prayer is the soul’s believing and reverential approach unto God. It consists of supplication, thanksgiving, etc. The word “prayer” denotes general prayer, which is a humble and reverential approach to God for help. The word “supplication” denotes a plea for a specific matter, thus expressing one’s craving for divine supply in his life. The word “thanksgiving” denotes grateful expressions of joy and confidence in God which honour and please God.
It is with thanksgiving that we ought to make our requests known to God. A prayer without thanksgiving is a selfish prayer. Can it be right to pray for benefits and never honour our Benefactor? Thanksgiving will prevent us from being preoccupied with our wants, and it will fill our minds with the praise of our benevolent God. Do not offer a formal prayer to submit a wish list. Let your prayers be “perfumed” with praise. In our sufferings, let us sing His praise and pray. Take the hymn book and sing as you pray.
6a Be careful for nothing.
Well, that is an old way of saying, “Be not anxious about anything”. The Greek word (merimnáō) translated “careful” does not indicate that we should not exercise care in carrying out our responsibilities. The same word is used to teach us to care for one another (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:25). We are also taught in the Scriptures to provide for our families (cf. 1 Timothy 5:8). The advice here is that we should free our minds from anxiety and worry.
An incessant concern for our temporal affairs is an evil that we should avoid. Firstly, it expresses a lack of faith in God’s goodness and mercy. Anxiety proceeds from a heart that refuses to accept God’s good providence. Our Lord Jesus has assured us, saying, “your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (Matthew 6:32). Jesus also warned that to worry about daily necessities of life is to be like the Gentiles who know not the goodness of our God (cf. Matthew 6:32a). Let us not dishonour our God by worrying about our needs, our responsibilities, our troubles, etc. Anxiety equals distrust of God’s care for His own people. Anxiety is a sin, for it refuses to trust God’s gracious and good providence.
Secondly, the evil of anxiety is also seen in its effects on oneself. Anxiety will lead to self-destructive conduct and attitudes. Anxiety weakens a person physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. An anxious mind produces nothing good, only added trouble. Anxiety causes a person to be unhappy, moody, grumpy, ill-tempered and depressed. It has even turned some into maniacs! Anxiety is also known to cause severe physical trauma, resulting in migraine, body aches, vomiting, diarrhoea, high blood pressure, etc. Worse still, many have abandoned Christ because of their anxiety for material gain. Jesus said in Mark 4:19, “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” Anxiety will cause a person to be self-focused and worldly-minded.
One’s anxiety can also affect those who are around him. Obsessive mannerism caused by anxiety had wrecked many relationships and filled homes with unhappiness and quarrels. So, let us cast off anxiety from our hearts. Whenever it assaults us, let us go to the LORD in prayer, and take hold of all His promises. Get rid of anxiety, and be more cheerful and productive by the grace and knowledge of the LORD.
4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.
Dark clouds of calamities were gathering over the people of Israel. The peril that the LORD had warned for so long was almost upon them. However, the prophet encouraged the genuine believers among them with these words: “Trust ye in the LORD for ever”. He was urging the believers to keep and rest their confidence in the LORD at all times, even in times of adversity, affliction, persecution, poverty, ridicule or any kind of trial.
Trusting in the LORD always, come what may, indicates our submission to His will. It means we are assured that whatever He wills to do in our lives is right. This was the spirit of the patriarch Job who (amidst all his trials) could say, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15). When besieged by many troubles, we must habitually put our trust in Him, cleaving to Him and seeking to please Him to prove our unwavering faith in Him. In pain, let us call on Him. In anxiety, let us hope in Him. In weakness, let us lean on Him for strength. Trust the LORD for everything and with everything.
The encouragement to trust in the LORD is also given in our text. It tells us, “for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength”. Our encouragement to trust the LORD at all times is based on the everlasting strength of God. In order to strengthen our confidence in the LORD, His name is here emphasised and exalted as “the LORD JEHOVAH”. In the original Hebrew text, we have a repetition of the name JEHOVAH (Yâhovah) – first, a contracted form of the name (yah), and then the name (Yâhovah). The purpose of employing both forms of the name is to call emphatic attention to all that His name implies – His glory, power, wisdom, holiness, mercy, faithfulness, etc. – and to excite the highest admiration and confidence. He is the unchanging covenantal God of His people in all circumstances.
Moreover, we are reminded that there is everlasting strength in the LORD JEHOVAH. The phrase “everlasting strength” in the Hebrew text literally reads “the rock of ages”. The idea is that God is firm and unchangeable like an eternal rock, and therefore we can count on Him as our ever-present help. The LORD JEHOVAH is a safe refuge for us to run into when the storms and tempests of trouble blow hard against us. Let us find our strength in the Almighty, the LORD JEHOVAH. We are strong when we trust in our eternally mighty God. Let us cultivate an unflinching trust in an unchanging God!
3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Have you ever considered, “What is it that hinders peace in your heart?” Whenever man fails to be in communion with God, he is unplugged from the true and ultimate source of peace. For God has revealed Himself in the Scriptures as “the God of peace” (cf. Romans 15:33; Romans 16:20; Philippians 4:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Hebrews 13:20). So, whatever hinders man’s communion with God also hinders his peace.
Because sin hinders man from enjoying God’s presence and communion (cf. Psalm 5:4; 1 John 1:6-7; 2 Corinthians 6:14-16), it also obstructs God’s peace from flowing unto him (Isaiah 48:22; 57:21; Romans 3:17). Besides sin, lack of faith in God disconnects one from peace. Isaiah the prophet foretold of great “woe” (not peace) that would come upon the Jews who would trust in wealth, human strength and idols instead of their God. He forewarned them in Isaiah 30:1, “Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin.” Again in Isaiah 31:1, he said, “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots … but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!” So Psalm 146:3 admonishes us, “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.”
Only genuine trust in God and His promises can secure peace. The mind that has confidence in God shall not be frantic or distraught when it is struck by severe trials like persecution, poverty, sickness, or bereavement. Isaiah was addressing the Jews who would in the near prophetic future be stripped of their possessions and be carried away to a far distant land as captives and slaves. Despite being humiliated and subjected to great reproaches and scorn, the remnant Jews’ confidence in God would not be shaken. They would still trust in Him and believe that He could and would make a way for them. Their mind would thus be kept in perfect peace. The phrase “perfect peace” in Hebrew is “peace, peace”; such a repetition of the word denotes emphasis, and here it evidently points to undisturbed, perfect peace. So it has been with thousands and thousands of the persecuted and afflicted people of God, including His martyrs. When they committed their cause to Him amidst the storms of persecution, in the prison and even at the stake, the Lord kept them all in perfect peace.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The fifth piece of armour that God has given to Christians for their spiritual battle is “the helmet of salvation”. The helmet protected the head, the most vital and most often targeted part of the soldier’s body. Scarcely would a warrior rush off to battle without taking his helmet with him. Even modern troops always have their helmets on when they report for duty, which is all the more needful when in the thick of battle.
But what is the helmet of salvation? To be sure, the helmet of salvation is not worn as a means to getting saved. Rather, it means being assured of one’s salvation. It is all about a Christian’s need to cultivate a strong assurance regarding his salvation though Satan’s attacks at times may seem so overwhelming. It is the assurance that he will neither be debilitated nor destroyed in the midst of battle.
In order to grasp the significance of “the helmet of salvation”, one must understand the three aspects of salvation as found in the Scriptures; i.e. those who are justified will be sanctified and ultimately, glorified. When Satan harasses and confronts us with numerous trials, let us look forward to the day when we shall be with our Lord Jesus forever. The day is coming when sin and Satan can no longer molest us. So let us never quit, no matter how malicious the devil’s threat is. We must fight on as we continue to don this helmet of salvation until the day of glorification.
The sixth piece of armour that God has given to Christians for their spiritual battle is “the sword of the Spirit”. The first five components of God’s armour that Paul has enumerated thus far have been primarily for defensive purposes. This one last piece, however, gives both defensive and offensive might to those who carry it to battle. The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit because it is the Holy Spirit who handed this sword over to God’s people for their use. Because the Word of God wields the omnipotent power of the Spirit, it helps us to put our enemy, the devil, to flight. That was what happened to Satan who came to tempt the Lord Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus merely brandished the Spirit’s sword by saying, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:10). Then the devil fled and the battle ended, just like that.
God’s Word tells us that we are called “to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4). We are saved to obtain an “inheritance”. The word “inheritance”, in its Greek origin (kleronomia), refers to “a sanctioned possession”, much like when a father’s possession is assigned to the son. When we become God’s children, we receive an inheritance from the Father. “And if children,” says Paul, “then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17a).
The New Testament clearly speaks of things that we will inherit as believers. Some of the things we will inherit as a result of our salvation are mentioned in the following verses:
Peter uses three adjectives to describe the inheritance of a believer, namely “incorruptible”, “undefiled”, and “that fadeth not away”. No earthly inheritance is worthy of those three adjectives. These adjectives can match only a spiritual or heavenly inheritance. These adjectives are at times used to refer to rewards awaiting the believers. For example, the adjective “incorruptible” (aphtharton) is used for crowns of reward in 1 Corinthians 9:25. Likewise, “that fadeth not away” (amarantinon) is also used of the crowns designated for the ‘under-shepherds’ (1 Peter 5:4). This must be the reason why the writer of Hebrews calls the believers’ inheritance, the “eternal inheritance” (9:15).
In general, “incorruptible” (aphtharton) refers to freedom from death and decay, “undefiled” (amianton) to freedom from uncleanness or moral impurity, and “that fadeth not away” (amaranton) to freedom from the natural ravages of time (like in the fading of flowers). The believers’ inheritance is safe from all damage, defilement and decay, because it is “reserved in heaven for you”. The verb “reserved” (teteremenen) points to God’s act of preserving the inheritance for the believers in heaven. The word has the idea of keeping something unharmed. God preserves His people’s inheritance for their everlasting enjoyment.
“Believers inherit a greater inheritance than all that are on earth.” The inheritance that we have in Christ is not kept on earth. If it is an earthly inheritance, then its purity and glory would easily perish. The purity of our inheritance reserved in heaven will not be sullied. Its brightness will not be dimmed.
Therefore, let us rejoice, even in poverty, because of all our imperishable inheritances reserved for us in heaven.
Report from Seah Tze Hin
We thank God for a blessed 24th Bible Witness Retreat held at Vizag and Shillong (2-9 March 2024), to hear God’s Word and to visit several churches in India. The theme of the retreat is “Unblameable in Holiness”. We landed in Vizag in the night, and passed through immigration and customs without much scrutiny. A few local brothers gladly received us and saw us safely to the hotel for a quick dinner and a night of rest.
The next day was the Lord’s Day, and we were introduced to the church staff and GBI students by Rev. Sujith. We joined the local congregation in worship and were reminded of the “meaning, mode and subjects” of baptism. The message was translated into Telugu by Pastor Bhagavath. Pastor Koshy baptised a few youths and infants born to believing parents. We thank God for a Telugu song presentation by local youths, as well as a rendering of the hymn – “More Holiness Give Me” – by an octet from the Singapore mission team. We then had a blessed time of fellowship with the local brethren over lunch. After dinner that evening, we had our first theme message. It set the stage for the rest of the messages and highlighted the gravity of “holiness”. Holiness is God’s nature, but we are defiled and corrupt. Yet we are called to be holy as God is holy.
The next day, we continued studying about God’s holiness. God Himself is the standard of holiness and the Judge. We spent some time meditating on the description of God’s Word in Psalm 19, seeing that it is holy and only by it are we taught to be holy. We also glimpsed at the holiness of worship in heaven, and pondered over salvation’s relation to God’s holiness (cf. Eph 2:8-10). We then took the opportunity to visit BPC Vizag and the bookroom below it. Rev. Sujith told us about a brief history of the work started in 2018, and the growth over the years. How blessed is every Gospel seed sown abroad that many more may come to know of Christ! The rest of the afternoon was spent in admiring God’s creation – on Kailasagiri Hill and at Tenneti Beach. We witnessed the crashing waves and saw a stranded ship, and were reminded of God’s mighty power over men and His creation. Later that day, Pastor further expounded on salvation. We were reminded that “salvation is an inheritance of God”, and “a true Christian hungers for only one thing - the eternal and divine righteousness.” Justification and sanctification are inseparable. Justification is a positional sanctification, an imputation of God’s righteousness, with Christ as the Priest, and thus a merit of Christ’s work. Sanctification itself is a progressive process, an impartation of God’s holiness, with Christ as the King, and signifies the efficacy of Christ’s work.
We continued our retreat study the following morning, where the messages took a chastising turn. We learnt of the necessity of sanctification (cf. Heb 11:6, 24). Just as God is “glorious in holiness” and “fearful in praises”, the Church as Christ’s Bride must be also. Christ hates every church that is not walking in holiness. Christ’s letter to the Laodicean Christians (Rev 3:16-17) and Christ’s criticism of the Pharisees (Matt 23:25-28) are very relevant to us and reflective of us. Miserable, blinded, naked, full of hypocrisy and iniquity. The only way ahead is to be cleansed; personal sanctification is as important as justification. Sanctification is our chief business, and holiness is our main pursuit. “Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness” (Psalm 143:10).
Later that afternoon, we visited the campus at Kotapadu, in the countryside. It was a large campus, with a classroom, a library, dormitories and a kitchen. Thank God for the sufficient size to host students from all over the country, and a conducive environment to learn God’s Word in the building. Thank God for the teachers and supporting staff, ensuring a smooth operation of the campus. We pray that GBI will continue to have such an environment to educate students according to God’s will, even as the lease agreement expires next year.
On Wednesday (6 March), we left Vizag early for Shillong. First, we took a flight to New Delhi, the capital of India, and then another flight to Guwahati. Pastor Jied and a few local brethren welcomed us at the airport. A 3-hour-long bus ride brought us to Shillong. We were all exhausted and thanked God for a sufficient rest that night.
Local brethren in Shillong joined in for the retreat theme messages on the next day (Thursday), where Pastor Koshy revisited the topics he had covered in Vizag. We continued learning the importance of purity and cleanliness in a believer’s life. The reality of sin bothers a true Christian (cf. Isa 6:5). Although we have learnt about doctrines of salvation, personal holiness is much more important. The new life that God has given is for constant purification. “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned” (1 Timothy 1:5; cf. Romans 13:9). The next message elaborated on Ephesians 4:17-22. We looked at the curses of sin, which creep in when we are not careful. We were reminded to learn of Christ and follow Him, and not the world; to put off the old man, and be renewed daily in the spirit of our minds.
We visited Laitlum Canyon after lunch, and once again were captivated by the beauty of God’s creation. We felt small in that vast landscape and amid the tall mountains. The retreat messages concluded with Pastor touching on the Word’s cleansing and the Word’s promises. We are not to grow in mere knowledge but to be purified by His Word, thereby also to know His will for us. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). We also looked at cleansing through chastisement (Heb 12:8-11). God will never afflict unnecessarily, but only so that He would sanctify us of sins and His will would be fulfilled. God also afflicts to prevent one from sin, as Paul highlighted his own experience in his second letter to the Corinthians. Saints fight sins every day to follow the Saviour.
On Friday (8 March), we travelled along mountainous roads for 2 hours to reach Cherrapunji. Pastor Jied warmly received us with great joy, showing us the way to the new church building, which houses Christ-Centered Reformed Church and Soli Deo Gloria Reformed Bible Academy. For the official opening of the building, Pastor was asked to pray and cut the ribbon together with Elder Mah. After being served some local snacks (made by the brethren) and Masala ginger tea, we were then ushered into the main hall, and the service began. Several important figures gave their speeches. They included Sir Titos Chyne (the local Member of the District Council), Sir W. Diengdoh (the principal of Sohra Academy Higher Secondary School), Mr B. Diengdoh (from the Village Council), and Elder Mah (on behalf of Gethsemane BPC). Members of the Singapore mission team choir presented song items, praising God for His work in spreading the Gospel all over the world.
Pastor then preached the thanksgiving message, taken from 1 Corinthians 3:7-9. He emphasised 3 points:
Pastor ended the message with an encouragement to everyone, especially the ministers of God’s Word. God is with us always, even in the most needy of circumstances. Our duty is to give this one life we have to Christ and the Gospel, knowing that there is not much time left. Pastor Jied then gave his testimony about the LORD’s grace and mercy to him. Tears rolled down his cheeks, as he recalled painful and joyous moments. Tears were shared by many who were present as well. We heard of God’s providence in every step of his life, through local brethren and his family and the leaders of Gethsemane BPC. Indeed, the LORD is very good to those who trust in Him.
We then visited several locations around Cherrapunji. Nongsawlia Presbyterian Church is the first church in the region, started by Rev. and Mrs Thomas Jones. (It was Rev. Jones who recorded the Khasi language in Roman script. John Roberts subsequently continued the work and completed the translation of the Bible into the Khasi language. Since then, the church grew and 75% of the state, Meghalaya, are said to be Christian. However, many churches, including Nongsawlia Presbyterian Church, have become liberal over the years and introduced unsound doctrines.) Our next stop was the Mawsmai Limestone Cave, where we were captivated by the rock formations. We ended with a farewell dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Knowing we’d almost come to the end of our trip gave us mixed feelings. While we thank God for the church building, yet we were sad that we had to leave, especially after just getting to know the local brethren. Come early next morning, we were driven to the airport. We parted ways with the local brethren, and flew back to Singapore safely.
“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 136:1). All glory to God for the 24th Bible Witness Retreat. We thank God for all the efforts by His servants who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this retreat a fruitful, smooth and memorable one.
Sermon Text: Psalm 73
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 17th March 2024