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“God is love.” Though short, it is a statement of eternal magnitude and significance. Never was more meaning encapsulated in so few words as in this short sentence – “God is love.” The apostle John stated this truth twice in his first epistle (cf. 1 John 4:8, 16). The message of this short verse is splashed across the Bible.

Some clarifications are necessary before any further elaboration of this glorious statement is attempted. When John wrote that “God is love”, he was not saying that “love” is the complete revelation of God. In fact, he has already written in the same epistle that “God is light” (1 John 1:5); that refers to God’s holy nature (cf. John 3:18–21; 1 John 1:5–10). So, love is not the only attribute that adequately describes God. God cannot be fully explained by one of His attributes alone. Love is not the only perception we ought to have of Him. Neither was the apostle John implying that “love is God”. The emphasis of the saying, “God is love”, is that in God alone can one fully view what true love is – and only by His enablement can one have the power to express true love.

God is Essential Boundless Love

The declaration that “God is love” not only reveals God as a loving God, but also portrays love as natural and essential to His divine glory. All of God’s will and all of His works are draped in His glorious love. In nature and essence, He is “God of love” (2 Corinthians 13:11).

God is perfect, and His love is perfect too. God is unfathomable, and hence His love is beyond our full grasp. But the knowledge that God is full of perfect and infinite love enables us to draw near to Him with full assurance of faith for pardon and redemption.

In this dark world of hatred, sin and sorrows, we have the assurance that the God of infinite love rules over all. Though we may not be able to reconcile all the cruelty and tragedies that occur around us, yet by exercising faith on this marvellous declaration, we can find consolation. In fact, amidst all the sadness, sin and sorrow, there is abundant evidence that God is love. Among all the manifestations of His love in this dark world, the gift of a Saviour is the greatest of all.

God Manifested His Love through His Son

We can know God because His great love is manifested unto us. Immediately after making the assertion that “God is love”, the apostle John wrote, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10). God’s love has sent the Son of God to bear all our sins so that we may know Him intimately.

How amazing it is that God should love vile mortals like us! Who can fully comprehend that the eternal God, who is holy, would love ungrateful rebels such as us? What a great mystery and a grand miracle that the divine love would send His only begotten Son into the world for us! If this is not love, what then is love?

John says, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). God’s sending of His Son is so unusual and such an unprecedented expression of love that the apostle says, “Herein is love”. God loved the world so wonderfully, so amazingly, and so incredibly, that He sacrificed His only begotten Son as the ransom for the redemption of sinners. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

God’s Matchless Love

Being moved by the love of God manifested through Christ, the apostle John exclaimed, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1a). John encourages us to contemplate the greatness of God’s love. He points us to God’s love as peculiar. It is out-of-this-world kind of love. There is no act of love in this world that can ever be compared to God’s love that received us as His children, though we were once His enemies.

The apostle was so astonished at the greatness of God’s love that he wrote, “what manner of love”! The Greek words (potapên agape), used by the apostle, point to both the quantity and quality of God’s love. Its length, breadth, depth and height are beyond description.

How can we ever describe the love of God that allows us to call Him, “Father!” There can be no higher expression of love than His adopting of us, reckless children as we are, as His own, now and forever. There can never be any greater act of love, even from God, than that which He manifested through the sacrifice of His Son so that we may be reconciled to Him as His children. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

He loved us, when we had no love for Him. He lovingly came to us, even when we had wandered away from Him. When we laid down in our sin, guilt and misery, His tender love sought to redeem us. When we were undeserving, ill-deserving, polluted and unclean, in love He stooped down to wash us from our sins with His sacred blood. While we were dead in trespasses, His love for us “affixed” Him on the cross to die, that we might live forever through Him. He loved us, wretched sinful mortals, that we might live in heaven, live with God, and live in eternal glory and blessedness with Him and through Him. Oh, what love has reached us here on earth!

Conclusion

All those who have tasted His love, in receiving the salvation by faith in Christ, must praise Him for His eternal love. When we remember how insignificant we are as creatures, and how ungrateful, rebellious and vile we have been as sinners, we may well be full of adoration and worship at His love which has adopted us into the holy family of God, so that we may be regarded and treated as the children of the Most High. The love of God that surpasses all finite conception will be the theme of adoring praises from multitudes that no man can number, for ever and ever. Moreover, we should declare His love to every creature, that others may also come to Him and rejoice in His love.

Even in this world of animosity, bitterness, violence and suffering, we have sufficient evidence to prove that He is benevolent. Let us always behold the cross, where the love of God shines through the injustice, travesty and violence of human sin. The gruesome experiences of this earth tend to mask our perception that God is love. The full glory and meaning of His infinite love will be fully understood only when we reach heaven. In the meantime, let us hold on to the truth that God is love. Let us believe that He sincerely desires our good, and that what seems dark to us may be designed for our welfare; yea, amidst all the sorrows and disappointments of this present life, let us rest assured that our interests and our destiny are in the hands of the God of love.

There is none who is infinitely perfect in love as God. Oh, what astonishing goodness and condescension from the Almighty God towards us who believe on His Son. God is love!

Sermon Text: Galatians 6:16
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 13th February 2022

Read Them to Grow Spiritually

No book is more important to a Christian than God’s Word, the Bible. Reading and meditating on the Bible is our God-given daily duty (cf. Deut. 6:6-8; 17:19; Josh. 1:8; Jn 5:39; 1 Tim 4:15); it is essential to our spiritual growth and blessing (Psalms 1:2, 37:31; 119:11, 97-104, 130; Prov. 2:1-5, 8:34; Lk. 11:28; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 1 Pet. 2:2-3; Rev. 1:3). The Bible is essential for knowing God and His will for our lives. It is the source of divine truths that every Christian should know, believe and obey.

Next to the Bible, biblically sound magazines, books, and other published material are essential resources for Christians’ spiritual development. Good Christian books provide the readers with the knowledge necessary for establishing their faith and nurturing godly living. Understanding sound biblical doctrines will produce motivation and enthusiasm to live godly and fruit-bearing spiritual lives.

As a personal testimony, I would like to mention that reading books written by great men of faith from yesteryears and of this generation has been immensely valuable to my growth as a Christian young adult in the ministry. The books were like having a peek into the devout minds and consecrated endeavours of the spiritual giants who wrote them. Reading their books was like sitting with them and enjoying an enlightening conversation on various topics of great interest. Sometimes, it was like taking a long walk with them and having a heart-to-heart chat about theological and practical issues. The books, written by men of biblical knowledge, with profound experiences of Christian life and ministry, and of excellent testimonies, have been refreshing and nourishing to my soul.

Good books are like bottles of “well-brewed tonic”, where the wise thoughts of a sanctified mind, accumulated through many years of learning and experience, are distilled and stored. As such, biographies of Christian men and women, who lived with sincere piety and zeal for God, are of great benefit to all those who seek to live an abundant Christian life. Cultivating the habit of reading all types of good Christian books would help a believer to be well informed, duly motivated, and adequately equipped for a life of spiritual excellence.

Excellent Christian resources provide faithful exposition and application of God’s Word. They carefully delineate the biblical truths with clear and robust explanations that are logically developed and arranged. They accurately present the doctrines and well-thought-out biblical counsels to aid the readers for a life of devotion and piety. While some excellent books provide us with nourishing biblical truths, others warn us against pernicious doctrines and philosophies of life that are equivalent to heresies and hedonism. There are still others (in content, historical and biographical), which open our minds and hearts to good biblical traditions, exemplary behaviour, God-honouring passions and pursuits, profitable ideas and actions, etc. All in all, they provide biblical truths for the building up of the readers’ lives.

The apostle Paul, who wrote more than a dozen of the inspired books of the New Testament, wanted the books that he had owned to be delivered to him. So, he advised Timothy, “The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments” (2 Timothy 4:13). The “cloke”, a large, heavy woollen garment that served as both a coat and blanket, was of an urgent need for Paul as he was about to face the winter. “Books” (probably papyrus scrolls) and “parchments” (vellum sheets, made of animal hides) were of little use to provide him with physical warmth or protection. Nonetheless, Paul regarded them as of great importance for his ongoing ministry. They probably included the Old Testament books, and other essential writings and documents. While speaking on 2 Timothy 4:13, Charles Spurgeon commented about Paul’s interest in the books as follows:

“He was inspired, and yet he wants books!
He had been preaching for thirty years, and yet he wants books!
He had seen the Lord, and yet he wants books!
He had a wider experience than most men do, and yet he wants books!
He had been caught up into the third heaven, and had heard things that it was not lawful for a man to utter, and yet he wants books!
He had written a major part of the New Testament, and yet he wants books!”

Some Caution on the Choice of Books

Beware of loving to read books more than God’s Word, the Bible. Never neglect daily reading and meditation of the Bible. You may read many good books, but you should not neglect the reading of God’s Word in order that you may live by it (Psalm 119:97, 127, 167; Neh. 8:8; James 1:22).

Beware of reading books to impress others, whether it is the size of the book or the number of books you read. Always be mindful to read for the spiritual growth of your soul.

Beware of the content of the books you choose to read. These days, many books made available as “Christian books” are of little profit for spiritual growth. Worse still, not a few of them are unbiblical, posing a serious threat to their readers’ purity of doctrine and practice. Much care must be exercised in choosing books for your consumption. I would strongly warn, especially younger readers (whether in age or understanding), against adhering to contemporary books, which have not been adequately analysed and evaluated. It would be best if you instead choose older books, which have been read and recommended by faithful teachers and preachers of the Word. Choose weighty and worthy Christian books with biblically sound content. Ask mature Christians to recommend books for you, or ask for their opinions about the books you want to choose for reading. Read a variety of books – Bible study books, commentaries, devotionals, biographies, books on theology, church history, apologetics, etc.

Church Library for Your Reading

We thank God for everyone who has laboured to catalogue and make the books of our church library available to children, youth and adult members and regular worshippers alike. A team consisting of Bro. John Peh, Sisters Ruby Seng, Yeo Geok Hien, Chong Shu Mun, Chairine Chayadi and Jenice Choy have been availing their service to help brethren to obtain books from the church library.

Gethsemane Youth Fellowship started a reading programme last year to encourage our youths to read and grow spiritually. We thank God for the testimonies of a good number of the youths who have benefited from the reading programme. Their testimonies are published today in an additional booklet made available with the church bulletin. I encourage all members and worshippers to cultivate the habit of reading good Christian books for your edification.

Sermon Text: Galatians 6:14–16
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 6th February 2022

Sermon Text: Galatians 6:11–14
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 30th January 2022

In 1 John 2:15-17, when the apostle John warns us about the dangers of worldliness, he also provides three strong counsels against worldliness.

The first absolute counsel against worldliness is a command: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world” (v. 15a). No Christian should engage in any form of worldly activities. He should not even desire to be like the world. Oh, let us all stop loving the world! Jesus said about true Christians: “ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world” (John 15:19). If this is true, how can a Christian continue to love the world more than God?

Christians, we are just sojourners here on earth. We are not here forever. We are pilgrims heading to the glory land. So, do not get stuck in the miry clay of worldliness.

If you, my reader, have been abiding in worldliness, it means that you are heading towards a fiery end in hell. Please repent of your sins. Ask the Lord Jesus Christ to renew your heart by the mighty work of His Holy Spirit, so that you may love God with all your heart and love not the world that is perishing.
If you are a backslidden Christian, you must now yield to the Spirit who teaches you through His Word. Plead before His presence for a resurgent love for the things of God, yea, even for the things that matter for all eternity.

The second counsel against worldliness is a great declaration: “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof” (v. 17a). A person whose character and personality are shaped by a life that is obedient to God, will not be affected by the passing away of the world and its vain desires.

Do not desire anything in this world more than the will of God permits. Our desire has to be always regulated by the Word of God. All the pursuits of the world must be subject to His will. Never pursue any of our desires beyond His will for us. Such exhortation is a Johannine way of saying, “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”

The third counsel against worldliness is the wonderful reminder that there is eternal life for all who forsake worldliness to embrace the love and will of God – “he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (v. 17b).

God’s cure for worldliness lies in the bringing before us of another world – an eternal world – which is infinitely more glorious than that which He calls on us to forsake. There is no thorough cure for worldliness but this. It is a lack of faith in eternal realities that makes us worldlings! By faith, when our eyes are fixed on the world to come, we will learn to set our affections on things above.

Christians, we need to be sternly and repeatedly warned against the spirit of worldliness. People in the church are very prone to forget their role as pilgrims in this present evil world. Our dignity as God’s chosen people is not in craving after the things of this world, but in doing His will and thereby getting ready for His glorious appearance. Let us not allow the world to obscure or blur our vision of the glory and kingdom of God that He has called us to inherit. Dear Christians, let us live on earth as heavenly citizens.

A Letter from Cebu, Our Mission Field

Dear Pastor Koshy,

Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

Praise God for His goodness in sustaining us in the work of the ministry. After over a month, the electricity was finally restored last Thursday, followed by the telephone / internet lines last Saturday. Thank God that everything is back to normal, insofar as utilities and basic services are concerned. We already have the PA system, lights and air-conditioning functioning during our worship service yesterday. Also, we have resumed our live streaming.

Last Saturday morning, I was able to visit the wake of Nanay Rebecca (Bro. Eric Delina’s mother), and got to meet some family members. Among them was Noel (Bro. Eric’s nephew), who had been to Singapore and had attended worship services there together with Eric.

Yesterday, after the worship service, we passed to Bro. Dave the sum for the estimated cost of materials for the repair of his house, which had been severely damaged during the severe typhoon. In any case, he told me that there could be some additional materials needed.

On the part of Bro. Oscar, he has not finalised the list and the costing yet, as the carpenter they contacted had made some changes concerning the wood size and the specification of the iron sheets that they will use.

Pastor, I want to thank you for the Bible Witness calendars. We received them last Friday. These came just in time, as the local calendars were also just made available “hot from the press” – and we were able to distribute them together yesterday. Praise God!

On a personal note, my mother was released from her quarantine this morning. We were able to spend time with her, together with my siblings and the children.

Thank you very much for all of your prayers and support.

Respectfully,
Rev. Reggor

Sermon Text: Galatians 6:10
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 23rd January 2022

Christians are strongly warned about the dangers of worldliness by the apostle John: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:15–17).

Two specific spiritual dangers are mentioned by the apostle. No Christian should consider these dangers of worldliness to be trivial matters. Herein we have a very crucial message for the modern Christians who are increasingly embracing worldliness.

Worldliness Excludes the Love of the Father

Firstly, John warned: “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (v. 15b); that is to say, such a man has no relationship with God. It is impossible to love the world and God at the same time. Love for the world pushes out love for God, and love for God pushes out love for the world. Love for the world cannot coexist with love for God.

The absolute thrust of this statement by John is striking, and compels careful and serious reflection. The stakes are high. Because the Father’s kingdom is at war with the kingdom of this world, the two will never coexist peacefully. When love for the world increases, love for God dwindles. No human heart can hold these two opposing loves together.

To pledge allegiance to one side is to declare opposition to the other. Worldliness will put you together with all the God-haters of the world. James 4:4 – “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”

Because of worldliness, many Christians are vexed and disturbed by the demands of a godly and service-oriented Christian life. The subtle existence of worldliness within the hearts of Christians keeps them away from God and His kingdom. A look at most Christians today tells us that they have much of earth, and little of heaven.

Worldly Christians are not large-hearted or open-handed when it comes to the service of God; they are not willing to spend and be spent. They are not like those whose eyes are ever set on the incorruptible inheritance which God has prepared for them. They have low spiritual vigour, and are apathetic towards the things of God. They want to be engaged as little as possible in the things of God, and indulge more in their worldly comforts. They grudge and murmur about the labour, fatigue, expense and trouble that they have to bear in the service of God’s kingdom.

They would rather cherish the company of worldly men than that of Christians. They choose to stay away from fellowships, prayer meetings and other spiritual activities. They prefer the amusement and enjoyment that the houses of this world offer.They spend more of their time and money in the activities of the world, whether it be shopping, clubbing, watching TV or other entertainment.When the pursuit of the material world increases in their hearts, their delight in the things of God fades away.

This danger is further emphasised by John in v. 16 when he wrote: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” All that constitute worldliness – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – are not of the Father. Once the world takes over the heart of a Christian, he will soon lose his enjoyment of the Father’s love, and his desire to do the Father’s will. The Bible will become boring, and prayer a difficult chore. Even Christian fellowship will seem empty and disappointing. It is not that there is something wrong with those Christian activities, but rather, the Christian’s heart has become worldly.

Worldliness Embraces the Temporal at the Expense of the Eternal

Secondly, John warned: “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (v. 17). The world and its lusts are heading towards everlasting destruction, while the obedient Christian is going to live eternally. The world and the genuine Christian do not share the same destiny.

The world is passing away! It is rushing to eternal hell. Would you buy stock in a company that is sure to go bankrupt? Would you like to spend a day to relax on a sinking ship? Would you like to dance a night away in a nightclub that is on fire? Truly, for anyone to set his heart on the perishing world, it is to inherit heartache and misery at the end.

No reasonable person would lay up treasure where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal, would they? The apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7:31, “the fashion of this world passeth away.” The world, with all its fashion and lust, is heading towards eternal peril. This is also affirmed by the apostle Peter in 2 Peter 3:7, 10, “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men... But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”

So, if you love the glories and the pageantry of this world, you will pass away together with them. You will not only lose your treasure, but also your soul. If you love the world, it will pass away, taking you along with it. Christians, be cautioned: worldliness distracts us from taking delight in things that abide forever, even doing God’s will. So, if you are stuck in some worldly living, be forewarned of your quick destruction.

Are you surprised that this world and its glories are facing a perilous end? Well, it is going to be worse and worse. Sin is destroying this world. But there is a blessed hope – “he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (v. 17b). What is the will of God that you should obey so as to live forever? Jesus gives the answer to this question. He says, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:40). If your heart would love the Lord Jesus and follow His Word, instead of loving and following the world, you will abide forever.

Do not flirt with the world; it will seduce you to destruction. Rather, follow the will of God in Christ Jesus and you will have eternal life.

Sermon Text: Galatians 6:7–10
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 16th January 2022

Bible Witness Web Radio began its broadcast in January 2007. Since then, we have been airing biblically sound hymns, spiritual songs, sermons and other Christian audio resources on the internet, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All glory, thanksgiving and honour should be rendered to our God, who has strengthened us to maintain such biblically sound broadcast in BWWR for the edification of believers.

15 years ago, we had little or no knowledge on developing a web radio for the global proclamation of the sound doctrines of His Word. However, the LORD gave us brethren who could provide technical support and help to develop the content for the web radio. We thank the LORD for the service of everyone who has contributed to the development, running, and upkeeping of BWWR. Over the past 15 years, some who were instrumental in the setting up of the ministry have moved on; yet, the LORD, in His mercy, further provided skilled and dedicated brethren. So, BWWR continues to create more edifying content, and make further improvements to the quality of the broadcast.

On BWWR, you can listen to special programmes catering to the edification of various groups of listeners. For example:

• Faithful Men is aimed at teaching and building up men in families, churches, workplaces and every area of their calling, in order to equip them to be faithful, godly leaders in their homes, church and society. Rise up, O men of God!
• Women of Virtue caters especially towards sisters in the church to help them develop godly virtues and grow spiritually, that they may effectively fulfil their roles at home and in the church.
• Youth Bible Hour provides biblical resources, which are profitable for godly instruction, that youths may become strong in their devotion to Jesus Christ and follow Him in accordance with His Word – with the prayer that they will “flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22).

On the BWWR webpage, the above programmes and some others are made available on an “on-demand” basis. More contents are also enumerated in its daily content lists, such as Readings from the Bible, Daily Devotions, Biblical Exhortations for Inquisitive Souls, Sermon Extracts, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, and Christian Poems.

We express our heartfelt thanks to all who have prayed for, and have supported BWWR through love gifts and service. Gethsemane preachers, elders, choirs and many members, including our children, have laboured joyfully over the years; surely, the Lord will not forget their work and labour of love, which they have shown towards His name through their service in BWWR (cf. Hebrews 6:10). A good part of our daily programme is Christian music – and in this regard, we thank the Lord for several godly Christian musicians and Christian recording groups that have allowed us to use their music and songs.

The Lord’s continuous enablement has sustained the ministry, despite the many challenges and struggles which could have rendered BWWR incapable of functioning. All glory be to our gracious God, who has deemed it His pleasure to bless BWWR as part of Gethsemane B-P Church’s effort for the worldwide Gospel ministry!

“Thy Kingdom Come” Music Album

In thanksgiving to the Lord for 15 years of Bible Witness Web Radio, the Gethsemane Church Choir in conjunction with BWWR has released an album of 12 hymns that can be played or downloaded for free through the Bible Witness website or on our church app.

The 12 hymns range from praises for the first coming of Jesus, to prayers and preparation for His second coming. Hence, the ideas of Jesus’ redemptive plan and His present reign in believers’ hearts, even an expectant hope for His complete rule, are summed up in the phrase, “Thy Kingdom Come”.

The 12 hymns are:

1. O Jesus, So Sweet
2. That Beautiful Name
3. Jesus Loves Even Me
4. There’s a Gladness in My Heart
5. May Jesus Christ Be Praised
6. Holy, Holy, Holy
7. Blessed Be the Name
8. Fill Me Breath of God
9. All For Jesus
10. When This Passing World is Done
11. Higher Ground
12. Thy Kingdom Come

To listen, please go to biblewitness.com/kingdom. To listen on the app, just search for “Gethsemane BPC” in your app store to get started.