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As we begin a new year today, I would like to exhort all of you to heed our Saviour’s solemn counsel – “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

What is your highest goal this new year? Let it be what our Lord expects us to pursue all the days of our lives on earth. His will for us is to seek His kingdom and righteousness as our first and foremost passion. Anything that impedes this goal must be rejected utterly. 

We are exhorted here in Matthew 6:33 by the Lord Jesus Christ, that we should make God’s kingdom and His righteousness our primary object of attention. We must be deliberate in giving preference to spiritual matters over worldly matters. Nothing should be allowed to take precedence over our commitment to seek spiritual and moral excellence. We must exert great care and diligence to live a consecrated life to God. That must be our chief business on earth. Our hearts, minds and bodies must be wholly dedicated to fulfilling our spiritual duties, both in public and in private.

Our preoccupation should be God’s reign and righteous will concerning us, rather than the material provisions for our daily lives. We should be eagerly praying for, and dedicating ourselves to His kingly pleasure and purposes. Let us not be like those who strive to be religious for material gain. They appear to be very prayerful and devout, but the pre-eminent things in their lives do not tally with what they appear to do, but rather with the motive of their hearts – which is material gain. When piety is expressed for temporal advantage, it is not the kingdom of God that is first sought after, but material gain. Therefore, they seek first worldly advantages.

Let not our hearts be deceived into making spiritual matters subservient to earthly matters. Let us not seek God and His kingdom to become wealthier and healthier. We must let all our pursuits in life be subservient to our desire for God, His kingdom and righteousness. Whatever our engagements in life are, we must remember that we have a higher goal. And in our relationships with people, we should never forget that we have a greater commitment to God.

We are specifically instructed by our Lord to seek first “the kingdom of God”. What is the kingdom of God? It is to have Him reign over our hearts. His will must be our highest concern. Our prayer should always be: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). It is also to serve Him in His kingdom. The Lord exercises His authority and will today through His church. So, we must serve the Lord in His church to exalt His greatness. We must give ourselves to the extension of His kingdom through the preaching of the Gospel. We must also live in obedience to His Word to promote His righteousness. Let us also look forward to His coming as King of kings. If these are our chief concerns of life, the Lord promises to take care of all our needs.

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GYF Retreat 2022 Report

by Cornelius Koshy

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock” (Matthew 7:24). Challenging each youth to be obedient, resilient and exuberant to do God’s will despite discouraging and distressing situations, was the main thrust of the 5 theme messages. 

The theme of this year’s youth retreat was “Laying a Firm Foundation”. We thank God for enabling Pastor and Pr Cornelius to exhort the participants with biblical attributes and practical advice, so that they may build upon the foundational doctrines and “go on unto perfection” (Heb 6:1). Coupled with two workshops on “BGR” and “Aspirations” conducted by Pastor, the participants had a total of seven sessions of focused study of God’s Word and Q&A. 

Just as we enjoyed the experience of feeding the farm animals like horses, cows, rabbits, turkeys, ducks, chickens, etc., we were all also delighted with the spiritual feeding received in the camp! This ministry of the Word was suitably complemented with warm fellowship with one another, especially with new friends who joined our retreat. This year, we had guests from Calvary Pandan, Calvary Kuching, and Bethel BP Churches. Needless to say, our youths in Gethsemane were delighted to make some new friends! Most notably, we were thankful to God for the opportunity to bring six youths from Kuching to join us for this year’s retreat. They are the children of the Teo and Chung families from Calvary Kuching: Daniel, Samuel and Gabriel (Teo), as well as Abigail, Nathanael and Dominic (Chung). We thank God for His blessings of provision and protection upon each participant!

A pair of toe-socks – specially printed in collaboration with TGCM Print – was given to each participant. When worn, the letters on each toe formed the key word of this year’s theme: “FOUNDATION”. The youths received well the witty and meaningful memorabilia. We truly thank God for some youths who had spent some of their holiday time with TGCM Print to prepare the 90 pairs of socks. May the youths be reminded to “walk in love” (Eph 5:2), “walk in the light” (1 John 1:7), and “walk after his commandments” (2 John 6), whenever they wear these socks!

The youths were also treated to sumptuous meals cooked by the resort’s kitchen. The resort provided food aplenty, and some sisters also prepared a “condiments table” which supplied an endless flow of snacks and drinks. Praise the LORD for everyone who helped us behind the scenes!

Because of the resort’s greenery, the Bible Witness team also had the chance to record two music videos for BWTV singspiration programmes. We thank God for Bro Matthew and Bro Andronicus, who came with the youths to assist with the video production. We thank God for both sun and rain at His chosen times, and for His help in seeing us through all the planned programmes and activities. When it poured on the second night, the LORD allowed us to witness the campfire from a distance, enabling us still to feel its heat and awe at its glow in the darkness of the night.

Finally, the GYF Committee gives thanks to God for our very committed and responsible Auxiliary Committee (comprising Amoz, Gideon, Marcus and Rayson) who laboured with us to organise the GYF Retreat, and for the young adults who joined the retreat to assist with supervision over the youths. May the youths remember all that they have learned in this retreat. May God, in His good time, raise some of the youths and young adults to serve Him and continue the Gospel work of our Lord Jesus Christ in Gethsemane BP Church.

GYF Retreat 2022 Testimonies

Bernice Tan

Praise God for the opportunity to join Gethsemane’s first youth retreat after the Covid-19 pandemic. The retreat was a great opportunity to have a blessed time of fellowship with other like-minded youths, and a great time to unwind from the pressures of our school life. Thank God for granting grace and wisdom to Pastor and Pr Cornelius, who impressed upon us our personal responsibility as to whether we lay a strong or weak foundation. I would also like to thank God for granting us journey mercies, as well as keeping us safe and healthy during the retreat. All glory be to God!

Abigail Chung

I thank God for giving me the opportunity to join this year’s youth retreat at Sinar Eco Resort. I initially thought that I would not be able to participate because I had already made plans to fly back to Kuching. But by God’s grace and through the church’s support, the brethren from Kuching could also join. Thank God that brethren from other churches participated as well. 

Thank God for giving Pastor Koshy and Pr Cornelius good health and strength, as well as godly wisdom, to preach to the youths on the theme: “Laying a Firm Foundation”. I pray that all the youths have had a fruitful retreat and that we will stand strong in the Lord. I also pray that we will not waver when troubles come, but instead be a good testimony for Christ in our school or work. Thank God for the Auxiliary Committee, young adults and adults, who helped at the retreat and cared for the younger youths. Thank God for the blessed time we had at the retreat, and the fellowship we had with one another. 

My prayer is that God will continue to protect and guide each youth, so that we might not be misled by worldly ideas. I also want to thank God for the good weather (including the heavy rain!), and for the opportunity to experience and appreciate God’s creation to the fullest without worldly distractions. “O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 107:1).

Clement Tan

I would like to take this opportunity to thank God for allowing me to join my first youth retreat. Thank God for Pastor and Pr Cornelius’ preaching. This helped me to learn more from the Scriptures, and allowed me to gradually mature as a Christian. Also, the two workshops conducted on the last day of the retreat helped me learn how to interact with a person of the opposite gender, and realise that our path in life is determined by God. Other than these, I have bonded a lot with the other youths and got to know them better. As Psalm 1:1 says, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” Lastly, I thank God for allowing me to spend my year-end holidays fruitfully.

Dominic Chung

I am thankful for being able to participate in this year’s youth retreat. Thank God for those who organised this retreat, and for Pastor Koshy and Pr Cornelius who preached during this camp. Thank God for the fellowship I had with other brothers and sisters in Christ, and for helping me make new friends during this period. Thank God for the messages on “Laying a Firm Foundation”. I look forward to meeting these brethren again in the next retreat, God willing.

Joel Tan

I praise God that He opened a way for me to attend this year’s youth retreat. The theme, “Laying a Firm Foundation”, is highly relevant in that I am graduating from school in the first half of next year, and I will soon be out in a world that is scarcely navigable and very unwelcoming to Christians. I will always be thankful for the lessons learnt and the reminders administered to us, so that we can live our lives effectively for the Lord. 

In particular, I thank the Lord for reminding me that the Christian life is not obligation-free. Far from that, there are regulations and requirements that we have to adhere to in every area of our life and service. The lifelong responsibilities we face as Christians are grave - and they cannot be discharged in any way we like. In that regard, we should not take inspiration from the thought leaders, academicians and celebrities of this world, but rather strive every day to be more like Christ. 

May I always be willing to abide by God’s directions and God’s will for me. My only desire in life is to perform whatever task He has assigned me to do with distinction for His glory, and always to submit and be more than happy to follow His leading. If my lot in life is to suffer great trials and hardships for Christ, then may I endure them well for the Lord, with much faith in Him and displaying the grace of the Lord for all to see. As the exhortations in 1 Peter 4 remind me, may I always reflect God in all I say, do and think, and may my life be lived according to the standards of God, not of men.

All praise be to our Heavenly Father for a good retreat, which went without incident or accident. Truly, He protects His servants.

The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ is a story of great wonder – not only because it is a story of God’s redemptive love towards a defiant and sinful people (cf. Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 3:1), but also because it is a story of the One who was born as fully God and fully human (Jn 1:1-2, 14). The Person of Christ, a great mystery and wonder, has been a subject of much controversy in church history because of the efforts of some in explaining the biblical portrayal of Jesus Christ philosophically and academically. Below are some of the prominent controversies on the Person of Christ that had arisen in the past:

• In the fourth century, Arianism denied Christ’s deity, and claimed that He was created before all other creatures and that He had an exalted status as the agent through whom everything else was made. It was denounced in the Council of Nicea (AD 325), which affirmed that Christ is fully God, not a creature as the Arians erroneously taught. (Incidentally, Jehovah’s Witnesses of modern days propagate this ancient Arianism.)
• In the fifth century, two heresies concerning Christ’s Person started to spread: (1) Nestorianism, which taught that there were two separate persons, one human and one divine, in the incarnate Christ; (2) Monophysitism, which taught that in the Person of Christ there was only one nature, and it was His divine nature. These two teachings were rejected as heresies in the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451). 

Those heresies were dealt with decisively in the Council of Chalcedon, where the Council affirmed, concerning Christ, that Christ is one Person with two natures. The truth that it declared was that Christ is truly Man and truly God (vera homo, vera Deus). Christ has a true human nature and a true divine nature, and these two natures are perfectly united in one Person. The Council also insisted that each nature retains its own attributes. Christ did not lay aside any of His divine attributes. The divine nature of Christ is eternal and immutable. Christ did not set aside any of His divine attributes when He came to this earth. His human nature also retains the attributes of humanity; it is finite and restricted by space and time. The Council of Chalcedon (AD 451) stated: “Christ is one person with a fully divine nature and a fully human nature, and His natures are without mixture, without change, without division, without separation.”

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Rev. Thomas Jones: The Pioneer of the Welsh Presbyterian Mission in Khasi Hills

Written by Rev. Sujith Samuel

Khasi Hills is an area in the state of Meghalaya in India. Shillong (capital city of Meghalaya), and Cherrapunji (also known as Sohra, one of the wettest places in the world) are important towns in Khasi Hills. Khasi people are the native inhabitants of this area and they speak the Khasi language. According to the census data of the govt. of India (2011), 70 percent of Khasi people follow the Christian religion. Presbyterian Church of India is one of the largest Christian denominations among the Khasi people group. Presbyterian missionaries from Wales and England played important roles in spreading the Christian faith among the Khasi people, and also in other parts of North East India. Rev. Thomas Jones is the pioneer missionary who arrived in Khasi Hills and spearheaded the Gospel proclamation among the inhabitants.

His Early Life and Call to Missions

Thomas Jones was born on 24th January 1810 in a Welsh family. His father, Edward Jones, was a carpenter. From his childhood, he took keen interest in carpentry, farming, coal mining, etc. As part of a Christian family, he also took great interest in attending church. He started preaching the Gospel at the age of 25. He also developed a growing desire to serve the Lord as a full-time minister. He was admitted as a ministerial student in a Calvinistic Methodist college, namely College of Presbyterian Church of Wales. (This denomination traces its roots to the Welsh Methodist Revival; it was also known as Calvinistic Methodist Church). After the completion of his studies, he was ordained as a minister of the Gospel in the Presbyterian Church of Wales in 1840. His desire was to serve in a foreign country, and India was the place of his interest. The church and college advised him to apply to London Missionary Society (LMS), as they were also supporting LMS in its mission works in various places, including India. He applied to LMS, with mention of his health concerns about serving in a hot and humid climate. They further recommended the mission agency to send him to places where the temperature was moderate. Upon LMS appointing doctors to examine his health, the mission society concluded that South Africa would be a suitable place for him to start the mission work. Initially, Rev. Jones agreed to their decision. Later, he regretted that he gave his consent. His desire to serve in India grew day by day, and later he wrote to the mission board requesting them to send him as a missionary to India. He consulted three famous doctors and got medical reports confirming that he was fit to serve in Indian climate. But the board refused to change their decision. He refused to change his decision, and informed the board that he was not willing to go to any other place than India.

Rev. Thomas Jones returned to his home parish in Liverpool and explained his situation. (His parents were settled in Liverpool at this time). His denomination decided to severe the ties with LMS, due to their unwillingness to send him to India. A new mission society was incorporated on 31st January 1840 by the denomination, called “Welsh Presbyterian Calvinistic Mission Methodist Foreign Missionary Society”. Rev. Jacob Tomlin, who was a former missionary of LMS in Malacca, suggested Khasi Hills as a mission field for Rev. Jones. Rev. Tomlin had stayed in Cherrapunji for some time before his return to England, and saw it as a suitable place for Rev. Jones to start the work. The society approved of his suggestion, and Rev. Jones agreed to go to Khasi Hills as a missionary. At the age of 30, together with his pregnant wife (Anne Jones), he took a ship to Kolkata, India. The journey took several months, and on 23rd April 1840, they reached Kolkata. He was given a warm welcome by Scottish Presbyterian missionaries (like Dr Alexander Duff) upon his arrival. But on the second day of his arrival, his wife Anne Jones had delivery, and the baby did not survive. Dr Duff and other Christian families became an encouragement to Rev. Jones and his family in this time of affliction and trial. He drew comfort from Scripture, in particular 2 Samuel 12:23. When King David lost his child, he said, “But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” Like David, Rev. Jones and his wife put their hope in the promises of God. They continued their missionary journey to Cherrapunji by taking a boat to reach Sylhet, a city in Bangladesh. They had to climb steep hills to reach Cherrapunji. They travelled on horse, and at times men had to carry Mrs Jones in a basket. Finally, they reached Cherrapunji on 22nd June 1841. (Incidentally, June 22 is designated as Thomas Jones day in Meghalaya, and is a public holiday to commemorate the contributions of Rev. Jones.)

His Life in Khasi Hills and Mission Work

Rev. Jones and family was well received by Lieut. Lewin, a British government official. He desired to be in a place which was not hot and humid. The Lord guided him to a place where there was rain every day, even in the summer season. In a letter written to the mission society to inform about his arrival in Cherrapunji, he wrote that he had to spend a lot of time drying his clothes, books and other items which were even inside boxes. Rain, though unstoppable, didn’t deter him from pursuing his calling and work. He immediately started to learn the Khasi language to speak with the local people. Within eight months, he became fluent in the Khasi language. The Khasi language at that time didn’t have a script. Rev. Jones developed a script for the language using the Roman alphabet. He first translated the Lord’s prayer into Khasi and later, the Gospel of Matthew, a catechism about the basics of the Christian faith and many other works, including hymns. For his contributions to the Khasi language, he was regarded as the “father of Khasi alphabet” and the “founder of modern Khasi literature”. He saw language not only as a tool for him to communicate with the people, but also to enable people to learn more about God by reading God’s Word and to communicate to God through prayers and hymns.

Villagers were eager to learn new things from him. He started to teach them new ways to do carpentry, agriculture, etc. He encouraged them to read and write in the Khasi language. Seeing his contributions to the village in various fields, the chief of the village gave a piece of land for the mission work in Nongsawlia in Cherrapunji. The first Presbyterian church (Nongsawlia Presbyterian Church), a school, a theological college, and two mission houses were established in the land given. He gave much importance to educating children as he understood that was the way forward to educate them on the Christian faith. In a letter written to the mission board, he wrote: “The only plan which appears to me likely to answer a good purpose is to establish schools in the various languages and to instruct them the principles of Christian religion… and when we shall have translated and printed the Holy Scripture, we shall have some at least, in every family to read them…and I would regard this as an important step towards their evangelisation.”  He used to give money to children as a reward for learning some pages in a selected work in Khasi. He also procured resources from Wales to teach them English, and started taking English classes for children. Students who studied well were appointed as local teachers to teach in new places. In 1846, two natives, u Amor and u Rujon, got converted as a result of his mission efforts and were baptized. He saw drunkenness among the Khasi locals, and encouraged them to repent and believe in Jesus. He said, “I spoke to them on the evils of drunkenness, and urge them to repent and seek forgiveness. They assented to the truth of my remarks, and I succeeded in drawing a large number away from the old women who sold the drink.” 

His Latter Years and Call to Home

On 22nd April 1846, while delivering their second child, Anne Jones, his dear wife, died. Rev. Jones decided to marry Emma Cattell, who was a minor. The mission society didn’t approve of his remarriage and they stopped officially endorsing his work as a representative of the society. He used to teach natives how to do coal mining on their own. This caused opposition for his work from industrialist Harry Inglis, who was exploiting locals by taking land from locals for lease. He was forced to leave Khasi Hills in 1849. By the time he left, the church he planted had 21 baptised communicant members. The natives continued the mission work he started, and more churches were planted in many parts of Meghalaya. Rev. Jones went to Kolkata and he was diagnosed with malaria. As he was preparing for return to his home country, God called him to his eternal home, to be safe in the arms of His Saviour and Lord Jesus, on 16th September 1849, at the age of 38.

(This article is written based on two books written by Rev. Dr J F Jyrwa—“The Wondrous Works of God” and “A Brief Life Sketch on the Life and Works of Rev. Thomas Jones”.)

Sermon Text: Psalm 29
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 18th December 2022

Raymond Lee

I was born in an idol-worshipping family. Since young, I had believed in idols to protect and prosper me.  When I was in Secondary 3, a classmate shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with me during Christmas period.  But I got a bad impression about Christians because of his overbearing manner in convincing me to accept Christ and his over-aggressive condemning of all other faiths. 

When I went for NS pre-enlistment medical check-up in 1979, I found out I had kidney problems. The doctor warned me that it could lead to kidney failure and death even at a young age. I was fearful and began actively worshipping idols to seek health and peace. However, I did not find peace and the fear of death still plagued me for many years, even after my marriage with Carrie. 

Thank God for His mercy for not forsaking me. My sister-in-law Peggy and her husband Stephen had been bringing our two older kids to attend Sunday School in Calvary Tengah in the late 1990s. This had led me to learn more about Christ when we occasionally visited the church. Gradually, I found peace in Christ through reading of His Word and I began attending worship/fellowship meetings regularly. During one of their family worship meetings, I uttered the sinner’s prayer in acknowledging Jesus Christ as my Saviour who died on the cross and shed His blood to wash away all my sins. I found peace and cast all my burdens unto Him as He has answered my prayers to heal my second daughter Sheryl from urinal tract infection. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11: 28-30). Our family was baptised in 2001 during Calvary Tengah’s church anniversary worship service. Though we left Calvary Tengah subsequently and joined Calvary Pandan to worship God in 2015, we still continued prayerfully seeking for a church to settle in.

By God’s providence, I had first joined GBPC activities when I started to attend the Wednesday lunch time Bible Study at Hong Lim Complex in 2017. My wife Carrie and I participated in GBPC’s Bible Study Tour to Turkey/Israel in 2018, and we also attended GBPC worship services from time to time. Starting this year, we have been attending GBPC worship services regularly. We were blessed both from the faithful preaching of God’s Word by Pastor Koshy and the preachers, as well as the warm fellowship extended to us by the brethren. We are also encouraged by the Gethsemaneans’ giving and support to the many mission churches overseas.  I look forward to joining GBPC with my wife; my prayer is that we can grow and serve the Lord together with fellow brethren in the church. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” (Romans 12:10-11). All honour and glory unto our living God! 

Carrie Lim

I came from an idol-worshipping family. My dad was a medium and the altar table was filled with idols. Those idols made me fearful. 

When I was in secondary school, I was invited by my classmates to join them in their Christian youth fellowship. But I was not comfortable when they started to speak in tongues, so I stopped attending. My eldest sister is the first Christian in my family. On my 18th birthday, she presented me a Bible. I tried reading it, but found it dry and uninteresting. So, I chucked it aside and never touched it anymore. 

It was not until I got married and have children that I started to visit church again. Every Sunday, my elder sister would bring my two older kids to Calvary Tengah for Sunday School, and my husband and I would visit the church occasionally. I have heard the Gospel numerous times. During a church family worship in 2000, I was touched by the Holy Spirit and uttered the sinner’s prayer. My family got baptised in 2001 in Calvary Tengah. When Tengah started a Chinese service, my husband and I served there as we were more comfortable and fluent in Mandarin. I also served as a part-time church administrator, editing articles and translating them into Chinese. 

By God’s divine will and purpose, in 2015, my husband and I, together with our 2 daughters, were led to Calvary Pandan, where my youngest daughter became a member subsequently. Meanwhile, my son, Sean, came to Gethsemane BP church and became a member here. My husband and I have also started visiting Gethsemane occasionally and taking part in its activities (like church camp, fellowship meetings and Bible Land trip). I realised this is the church that God has led me to serve – I pray that God will mould me to be a vessel fit for the Master’s use. All glory to God!

Rance Laurencio

From young, I have been actively following my parents to church, and would think carefully over the messages for my understanding. Despite all the preaching I’ve received and trying to follow my parents’ instructions, I have always been rebellious in my heart. It only became worse with my constant use of the internet. Over the years, I found myself clinging unto the devices and listening to worldly teachings. Gradually, I grew attuned to the worldly ways, and neglected my spiritual growth, even finding myself rejecting the Lord! However, I praise the Lord for His continuing and loving rebuking of me through His Word. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). I began questioning my ways in the eyes of the Lord. Realising how sinful I am, I asked the Lord to forgive me and to help me not to sin again, and I accepted Jesus Christ as my only Lord and Saviour, knowing how He suffered on the cross and died a painful death to cleanse me from all my sins. 

With the help of Preacher Cornelius (during youth visitations), with spiritual guidance by Elder Choy and Elder Francis (in catechism class), and of course our Pastor Koshy (in his sermons), I pray that I may continue to grow spiritually towards maturity in Christ. I also pray that I will continue to read God’s Word, as 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”. Praise be unto God.

Elaine Laurencio

Last year, after attending my first youth fellowship, I realised that, according to Romans 3:10 and Romans 3:23, we are all sinners. So, I repented and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. Once I received Christ, I finally understood what it means to be a Christian. A Christian is someone whose behaviour and heart reflect Jesus Christ. I began to learn to obey my parents, to dress modestly (according to the biblical standard), to have patience, and so much more. I thank God for giving me the wisdom to read and understand His Word, so that I could apply it in my daily life.

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Report from Gethsemane BPC, Pangasinan

Pastor Donald dela Cruz of Gethsemane B-P Church, Pangasinan, the Philippines, reports on the joyful news of 13 new believers being prepared for baptism.

Dear Pastor Koshy,

I praise the Lord for helping the catechumens to finish their catechism class last Lord’s day. Next week, an interview will be held to examine whether they have repented of their sins and trusted Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord. I also gave them the assignment to memorise the five points of Calvinism (“TULIP”) and to give a brief explanation of each point. Out of the 15 catechumens (2 catechumens could not complete their catechism classes), 13 will be baptised during the Christmas service. Besides, there will also be an infant baptism and an addition of 4 brethren to the church through membership transfers.

 I praise the Lord for bringing people to worship the Lord every Lord’s day. Currently, we are learning about the parables of Jesus Christ. Though the messages encourage the brethren who follow the Lord faithfully, they are a rebuke to the rebellious ones. Sadly, several brethren had stopped coming to church, offended by the messages, for they’d rather choose the path of unrighteousness instead of laying aside their sinful habits. Certain others rather work on Sundays, instead of worshipping the Lord. May the Lord touch their hearts to return to His fold.

Praise the Lord for bringing back Sis Cecile on vacation. She attended the worship service and prayer meeting here, and had fellowship together with the brethren. The husband of Sis Margie is also here on vacation from Taiwan. Thank God for granting them the opportunity to visit their homes and share God’s Word.

Beloved brethren,

Once again, as Christmas draws near, we have yet another occasion to declare the Gospel of salvation. This season should not be wasted on just worldly fun and enjoyment. Christmas offers a unique opportunity to share the Good News with those who are still lost in their sins.

What great salvation God has bestowed on us! He has lifted us out of the “miry clay” of sin and washed us with the blood of His Son, so that the right to be His children might be bestowed upon us, now and forever.

Scripture repeatedly urges us not to slacken in our efforts to bear witness to the Lord’s salvation. Just consider the following portions of Scripture that exhort us to declare His name joyfully, some of which are words of dedication from the thankful hearts of His redeemed:

• “My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; or I know not the numbers thereof” (Psalm 71:15).
• “Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people” (Psalm 96:2-3).
• “For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel” (Luke 2:30-32).
• “And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:14-15).

How can we be silent about the great salvation God has prepared for us in Christ Jesus, who was born as the Saviour of mankind? How can we refrain from exalting and declaring the saving name of our God? Communicating Christ’s saving name must be our passion always. We should not be hesitant to talk about our Saviour. Neither should we become weary of declaring His glorious salvation.

If you have received His salvation, should you not devote yourself to being a thankful and fervent witness for Christ? Will you not commit yourself to lift the name of Christ, who was born to give His life on the cross to save you? Will you not join the company of saints who are preparing themselves to win souls through the preaching of the Gospel?

When it comes to exalting Christ as the Saviour of sinners, do not be a disinterested Christian. Do not procrastinate telling others about Christ, for the night is coming when no man can work. Like all thankful, genuine Christians, let us also follow our Saviour, who manifested great readiness and urgency in reaching out to sinners to tell them the Good News. He said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4).

Like the psalmist, each of us must be able to say, “I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation” (Psalm 40:10b). So should every Gethsemanean be a proclaimer of Christ, the Saviour.

You may plan a Christmas get-together and present the Gospel through Christmas songs and tracts, or have a short Gospel message shared by a preacher. You can also invite your friends to the Christmas caroling sessions (at three homes) organised by GAF (24th Dec), or the Christmas Day service (25th Dec), during which the Good News of Christ will be declared.

Remember, Christmas is not commemorated when Christ and His salvation are not proclaimed. All such celebrations are Christless Christmas!

Sermon Text: Psalm 28
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 11th December 2022

Sermon Text: Psalm 27:14
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 4th December 2022

Occasional visits to mission stations are essential for various reasons. The revisitation of newly-established churches by the apostles and their co-labourers was frequent, with several such instances recorded in the Book of Acts and the epistles. For example, in Acts 15:36, we read, “And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do” (cf. Phil. 2:24).

The Necessity for Revisits of Mission Stations

What motivated the apostles and their co-labourers to revisit brethren in every city where they had previously ministered God’s Word? Three major motivations for the apostolic revisiting of mission stations are briefly observed below:

Firstly, the apostles’ loving concern for the new churches compelled them to revisit the mission fields – “Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do” (Acts 15:36). We note that the apostle Paul told the Philippian church that he was stirred by the love of Christ to visit them - “For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ” (Phil.1:8). Likewise, he told the Thessalonians, “But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire” (1 Thess. 2:17). Furthermore, in 2 Cor. 11:28, Paul wrote to the Corinthians about his deep concern for them – “Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

Biblical evangelistic work requires us to have a sense of responsibility for the Gospel missions we have begun. To be effective and faithful in our Gospel missions, we must be mindful of maintaining and expressing love and care for the churches in our mission fields.

Secondly, such apostolic revisits were also motivated by a desire to nurture the new churches by teaching sound doctrines of God’s Word. Like concerned parents for their children’s nurture, the apostles desired to provide sound teaching for young and immature believers in the mission churches through their revisits. Equipping the saints for the ministry was impossible without returning to the mission fields. Paul wrote to the church in Rome, “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established” (Rom 1:11). He wanted to minister to the church in Rome with the spiritual gifts that he was divinely empowered with, such as preaching, teaching, correcting, exhorting, comforting, praying, guiding and so on. Paul wanted to impart his spiritual blessings to the Romans in order to establish and edify them. He wanted those spiritual brothers and sisters “to grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Eph. 4:15).

Thirdly, the apostles were also committed to advising and warning the leaders and workers of the churches they revisited that they may diligently and faithfully oversee the churches. While passing through Miletus, Paul “sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house … For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:17-32).

Paul’s love and concern for the church in Ephesus compelled him to meet with and encourage its leaders. Those elders and their leadership duties were very dear to Paul’s heart. He gave them appropriate warnings and encouragement to guard the flock against evil men who infiltrated the church.

More reasons can be gleaned from the Scriptures concerning the necessity for revisiting the mission churches. Such other reasons include confirming the souls of the disciples (Acts 14:21-22), ordaining elders (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5), putting things in order in the churches (Acts 14:23; 1 Cor. 11:34), correcting and chastising (1 Cor. 4:21; 3 Jn 10), bringing the collection to help those who need material or financial aid (1 Cor. 16:3-4), being a Gospel blessing among the believers (Rom. 15:29), etc.

Gethsemane BPC’s preachers and elders visit our mission fields (on occasion, they lead small-group mission trips and conduct short retreats, conferences, and children’s programmes) to encourage and strengthen our brethren. God willing, Eld Mah Chin Kwang will lead a Pangasinan-bound team to minister to the brethren in our mission church in February 2023. Let us pray that we will be a zealous church, establishing and nourishing Gospel missions globally.

Sermon Text: Psalm 27
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 27th November 2022

(In view of this week's DVBS for children)

Though most Christian parents understand that parental guidance and nurture are instrumental in shaping their children’s future, many fail to give their children’s spiritual nurture the predominant place Scripture demands. Generally, parents are distracted from that primary duty by their overriding anxiety concerning children’s secular education and material success. Hence, children’s spiritual education and success have often been set aside. This is a very lamentable situation.

The Holy Scriptures repeatedly insist on the importance of spiritual nurture by believing parents (cf. Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:7; Psalm 78:3-6; Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 3:15). The hopes of the present generation and the next hang upon this most important rule – “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

Charles Bridges (1794-1869), a great biblical scholar and churchman, commented thus on the importance of spiritual nurture of children: “… the religious training must not be the border of the garment, which might easily be cut off. It must be the pervading substance throughout. Begin, as Hannah did, with the dedication of the child to God (1 Samuel 1:28). This done – train him as God’s child, entrusted to your care. Ask guidance from day to day – ‘How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?’ (Judges 13:12). Train him, as a baptised child, in the principles of his baptismal engagements. Pray for him. Teach him to pray. Instruct him from a child in the Holy Scriptures, as the sole rule of faith, and directory of conduct.”

To this end, we regularly hold special Bible programmes for our children. Pray for the blessings of DVBS (30 Nov–2 Dec 2022) that the Word of God will effectively work in our children for their salvation and spiritual growth. May the entire church be in prayer for the DVBS. Please attend this week’s prayer meeting, which will be specially devoted to praying for the DVBS. May the Lord strengthen and bless all who serve in the DVBS with zeal and dedication.

A Biblical Advice to Parents

“Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged” (Colossians 3:21).
The advice given here for “fathers” is also for “mothers”, as the Greek word patēr is also translated as “parents” elsewhere in our English Bible (Hebrews 11:23). What is said here should be received by all who are parents.

All parents are commanded not to provoke their children lest they be discouraged. They should immediately refrain from any attitude, word or action that would cause irritation and emotional outburst. They must also be careful not to cause discouragement in the children. Parents must spend time daily with their children, instructing, teaching, correcting, encouraging and even entertaining them. They must make every effort to point children to Christ and His will.

The following unwise actions, which can cause severe provocation in children, should be carefully avoided by parents:

• Too much prohibition or overprotection. This will show up their little trust in their children and deprive the latter of liberty. It can lead to frustration and rebellion. So, give them the necessary freedom and encourage them to be responsible.
• Favouritism and unreasonable comparisons with other children. This can lead to unhappiness and disappointment. Do not condemn the child for not being like other children. Parents must accept every child as he is, and instruct him accordingly.
• Belittling children for their weaknesses. This will dishearten them.
• Being too difficult to please and over-exacting. This will also lead to provocation and disappointment in children. Parents must be mindful to avoid being critical all the time. Instead, make every effort to create a positive, even an uplifting and encouraging, environment.
• Being too quick to judge. This can result in false accusation and produce much displeasure in children. So, do not be hasty in rebuking children.
• Being violent with words and actions. This will cause children to feel oppressed and distressed. Sure, when the children err, they must be rebuked and corrected. The rod of correction may at times be necessary, yet it must be used with discretion and love (cf. Proverbs 13:24; 23:13, 14; 17:10). The rod must not be used to ventilate anger or to exact revenge.