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READ:

John 1:17

¹⁷ For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

EXHORTATION:

In the preceding verses, John presented Christ as “full of grace and truth” (v. 14), and pointed out that “of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace” (v. 16). Christ, in whom the fullness of grace dwelt, has come to this world to give grace to those who are in need of grace. He supplies grace to all those who trust Him.

Today’s verse gives us further understanding about the condescension of Christ as the provider of grace for all who are in need of grace. The first word in verse 17, “for” (hóti), is a demonstrative conjunction, explaining how Christ’s fullness of grace benefits those who are in need of grace.

It was for the purpose of bringing man to the fullness of God’s grace that “the law was given by Moses”. In other words, the law of God (given through Moses) makes men realise that not only are they sinners, they are also not able to escape His just condemnation without divine grace. Thus, God’s law leads us to Christ so that we may find God’s grace and truth for our salvation. We are today reminded by the law of Moses that we are condemned sinners, as people were in the Old Testament times. Thus, the law causes us to look to Christ for grace. He then shows us the true way of salvation, which He has accomplished through His death on the cross.

Though Moses was a great prophet of Israel by whom the law was given, he could only make the people realise their need for God’s grace. He couldn’t give them the grace. So by the law, he pointed them to their need of grace which Christ alone can provide. Thus Christ is presented here as infinitely greater than and superior to Moses, who was one of Israel’s greatest prophets and one of the greatest men in biblical history.

Some argue that this verse teaches that the law was contrary to God’s grace. Some even wrongly claim that there was no grace of God in the Old Testament. Such ideas are not even implied in this verse. Rather, it tells us that the law was “given” (an act of God’s grace) to direct the Old Testament people to look towards God’s grace in Christ, who was promised to them (e.g. Isaiah 53). The truth that Christ is God’s gracious provision for their salvation, was symbolically presented in the blood sacrifices of the animals. Christ was indeed the actual provision of God’s grace for man’s salvation in the Old Testament, as it is so today to all those who repent of their sins and turn to Him by faith.

READ:

John 1:14b

^14b (And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

EXHORTATION:

Notice that John did not say “I beheld”, but rather “we beheld”. He was incorporating all the apostles and other believing men who were with Christ during His earthly ministry as witnesses of Christ’s glory. By appealing to the testimonies of many, John strengthened his claim that Christ is indeed God who has come in the flesh.

The Greek word used for “beheld” (theáomai) does not refer only to “seeing with the physical eye”, but also to viewing continually and attentively with contemplation of what is being observed as something unusual in order to interpret it. It denotes gaining perception of the nature of what one sees with one’s physical eye. Though many who saw Christ did not perceive His divine nature, John and his fellow apostles did perceive that what they saw in Christ was the glory of God indeed.

John testified that the glory of Christ was the glory of “the only begotten of the Father”. The phrase “only begotten Son” denotes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God by an eternal generation. In other words, Christ was one in nature and essence with the Father. The nature of the glory of Christ was the same as the glory of the Father. Jesus was God walking in the streets of Israel’s villages as a man. Christ the Nazarene was Christ the Creator! Christ the man was Christ the true God!

When John said they saw His glory, he was certainly not referring to the brightness of His appearance. When He was incarnate, He did not appear in all the splendour of His glory. If He did appear so, nobody could have come face to face with Him without being consumed! So, John was saying that he understood Christ as the glorious God because of His teachings and works. John spiritually discerned the teachings and works of Jesus Christ as the true reflection of His glorious deity.

John also said that Christ was “full of grace and truth.” Only God can be “full” of grace and truth. Man can perform acts of grace and truth, but no man in his natural state is “full of grace” nor “full of truth” in the sense that God is. If Christ manifested only human grace and truth, then He would have been of little value to others’ spiritual needs. But Christ “was” (nay, “had always been”) full of grace and truth. What a wonderful divine Saviour and Shepherd is our Lord Jesus Christ!

READ:

John 1:14a

^14a And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.

EXHORTATION:

The Word, which was divine and eternal (v. 1), “was made flesh”. This is an amazing summation of Christianity’s grandest doctrine, namely the Second Person of the Trinity, i.e. the Son of God, became a man in order to be mankind’s Redeemer. Jesus Christ was the Word who, being both with God and being God Himself, revealed Himself to us as a man.

The term “flesh” (sárx in Greek) has various meanings in the New Testament. Here it denotes human nature. The Greek word translated “made” literally means “became”. So the message it conveys is that God became a man! In English theological terminology, the truth that God became a man is expressed by the word “incarnation”. Christ was God incarnate or “manifest in the flesh”.

It must be stressed that the term “flesh” here carries no idea of sinful nature. He donned humanity, but without sin. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says that He “knew no sin”. The writer of Hebrews tells us that Christ “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). The apostle Peter presented Christ as the One “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:22).

It must also be emphasised that the Second Person of the Trinity assumed the human nature without laying aside His divine side. When He became a man, He did not cease from being God. Christ is now a man, in addition to being God. Christ is fully God and fully man. To combat the heresies that were infiltrating the early church, the church fathers met together at the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451. They studied the Scriptures and defined what has been known as “the hypostatic union” – the union of the two natures of Christ. The council then declared Jesus Christ to be one Person with two natures, without any confusion, change, division or separation.

John also said that He, who became flesh, “dwelt among us”. The Greek word for “dwelt” literally means “pitch a tent”. It carries the idea of temporary dwelling (since tents are not pitched for a permanent purpose). Though Jesus took on a permanent human nature, He dwelt among men only for a short time. He came for a definite time and purpose. He was here on earth for approximately 33½ years before He ascended to heaven, having accomplished our redemption by suffering in His body and shedding His blood in His death on the cross.

Sermon Text: Selected Scripture Verses
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 19th October 2025

Sermon Text: Selected Scripture Verses
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 19th October 2025

READ:

John 1:12

¹² But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

EXHORTATION:

Though the common response of the Jews and Romans to Christ – the incarnated eternal Word – was derision and rejection, there were some who “received him”. John points out to us at the end of the verse what it means to receive Him. It is to “believe on his name”.

The “name” is more than a word or set of words by which a person is known. Here it denotes Christ’s purposes, will, works and all that He is. Believing on His name is to trust and yield to Him completely, acknowledging His claims and confessing Him with gratitude. That is what it means to “receive” him. Those who receive Christ are those who believe on His name.

So, genuine believing is not merely having a mental recognition of Christ, but a hearty acceptance of Christ, His redeeming work and His sanctifying truths. Genuine believers desire and rejoice to have the Lord’s presence always with them. They would never want the Lord to be far from them. As Paul said in Colossians 2:6, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him”. Their life is no more separated from Christ. Their life is hid with Christ in God (cf. Colossians 3:3). They have Christ as their Saviour and Lord to guide them by His presence and truth.

To all who receive Him or believe on His name, “gave he power to become the sons of God”. The word “power” indicates “authority” or “right”. To those who received Christ by faith, He gave the right to be children of God. Is there anything nobler and higher than being sons of God? Oh, what an exalted privilege Christ gives unto us all who believe!

This exalted honour of being God’s children is granted to any who would believe on Christ’s name, regardless of his ethnicity, social status, financial condition or family background. None of his earthly conditions could prevent him from receiving the honour and privilege of being the child of God, if he would receive Christ as his Saviour and Lord and accept His truth by faith. It must then be emphasised that becoming God’s children is not based on human terms, but on Christ’s terms. Christ must be received by faith. If one would not heartily approbate Christ, one cannot be God’s child. But to all who sincerely receive Christ by faith, there is the exclusive, free and unchanging promise of being the children of God.

As we look back over the years of God’s gracious dealings with the Gethsemane Filipino Fellowship (GFF), our hearts are filled with thanksgiving. What began as a small gathering of Filipino believers in Singapore, drawn together by a common faith and a longing for fellowship around God’s Word, has been nourished by the Lord into a vibrant ministry of our church.

Since its inception in 2001, God has been pleased to use GFF to reach out to the Filipino community in Singapore with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and nurture those who come to us in His Word and fellowship. The brethren from GFF have been instrumental in helping our church establish mission works in the Philippines—through men trained in FEBC. 

Through seasons of trial and transition, the Lord proved His faithfulness. Truly, “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it” (Psalm 127:1a). We thank God for building up the brethren through the faithful preaching of His servants in GFF. Every step forward in the ministry has been the Lord’s doing.

As we give thanks for GFF, let us pray for all our mission stations in the Philippines, the ministers of the Word in those Gospel stations, and their congregations—that through them, His kingdom may spread across the nation. May the Gethsemane Filipino Fellowship ever remain a shining testimony of God’s faithfulness, a people redeemed by grace, united in love, and steadfast in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. To Him be glory forever. “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory” (Psalm 115:1).

Let the Children Come!

A Call to Join Our Daily Vacation Bible School

Each year, our church rejoices to open its doors and heart to welcome children for the Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS). Three days (26th–28th November 2025) are set apart for sowing the seed of God’s Word into young hearts. This ministry is not a mere programme to fill the holidays, but a sacred labour to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the new generation that God has entrusted us with.

In a world filled with confusion, distraction, and spiritual darkness, let’s be committed to bringing our children to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd early. They need to know the Saviour who saves them, who loves them, and who hears them when they pray to Him. This upcoming DVBS provides that precious opportunity.

Here are our biblical goals for DVBS:

1. The Gospel at the Heart of DVBS

At the centre of all that we do, stands the glorious Gospel of grace. The lessons, songs, crafts, and activities are not designed merely to entertain, but to present the truth of Christ clearly and joyfully.

Children will hear that though they have sinned and come short of God’s glory, they can be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again. The Gospel is not beyond a child’s reach. The Lord Himself said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14).

In DVBS, we seek to bring the message of salvation by faithfully expounding the Word of God to children in ways they can understand. We also pray earnestly that the Lord will open their hearts to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ by faith.

2. Edifying the Believing Child

While DVBS is evangelistic, it is also edifying. Many of our children who attend Junior Worship on Sundays, already profess faith as they come from covenant homes where God’s Word is taught.

For them, the 3-day DVBS becomes a time of spiritual growth and renewal. They are reminded that the God who saves also calls His children to commune with Him in prayer. They will be exhorted: “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

Through Scripture lessons, hymns, and fellowship, they learn that obedience, prayer, and love for God’s Word are not burdens but blessings. In every class and song, children are taught that following Jesus means that they are blessed with the privilege of talking with Him anytime in prayer. “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers” (1 Peter 3:12).

3. A Ministry of the Church, for the Glory of Christ

DVBS is not an isolated project, but a ministry of the church, under the oversight of the pastor and elders. Our preachers who teach the children, the helpers, and the volunteers serve not as entertainers, but as instruments of God’s truth, pointing each child to Christ and His covenant mercies.

We believe that God is pleased to use His Word, faithfully taught and joyfully received, to draw little hearts to Himself: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). 

Parents and members alike are encouraged to pray earnestly for this ministry — that the Holy Spirit may bless every lesson and conversation, that the Word may be planted deep, and that the fruit may remain.

Timothy, “from a child”, had known the Holy Scriptures, which were able to make him “wise unto salvation” (2 Timothy 3:15). Many servants of Christ trace the beginnings of their faith to Sunday School Classes, Children’s Bible Studies (like the DVBS), where they learned the Gospel that ushered them into a close communion with God. We believe the same God still works through such means today. May the truths that our children now learn become the anchors of their adult faith and service to our God. May the songs that they sing in their childhood exuberance echo through the years (cf. Psalm 78:4–7).

An Invitation to Parents and Children

We warmly invite you to register your children for this year’s Daily Vacation Bible School. Come, and let your children hear the Word, learn the truth, sing the praises of Christ, and experience the redeeming love of God. Let us pray that the Lord would bless this year’s DVBS abundantly, that young hearts may be converted, believing children strengthened, and Christ glorified.

READ:

John 1:10

¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

EXHORTATION:

According to John, Jesus Christ, who has been with God from all eternity (v. 1), “was in the world”. This certainly refers to Christ’s incarnation, His coming to this world in the form of a man and His dwelling among men. The One who was invisible to men, has revealed Himself to them. What great wonder it was that the eternal Son of God has come into this world! He was in the world which was “made by him”.

Though His great power and wisdom have been seen through all His magnificent creatures since the days of Creation, John here emphasises the fact of His remarkable presence in the world. The Creator of the world was in it like one of its dwellers. He appeared like every other man, yet He was unlike them. He was God in human form, dwelling in the world.

It was most wonderful that the eternal God would condescend to this world to dwell among a people who cared not for Him. The Son of God, who was with the Majesty on High, has descended into this poor and miserable sin-cursed world. He who has been the light eternal has come into this dark world.

This was the greatest divine favour this world had ever received. Oh, how great was His condescension! How marvellous was His love that caused Him to stoop down to this world! From the glory of heaven, He came to live in this world of dust. From the celestial world of ceaseless praise and worship by innumerable angelic creatures, He descended to a world of rebellion and wickedness. How amazing was His love that accepted the most appalling of conditions – being born in a stable, being poorer than birds and foxes, having no place to call as His own home. Homeless and poor was He, wandering from place to place!

Though the world had the greatest honour of the visitation and the hallowed presence of the eternal Son of God, “the world knew him not.” The worst tragedy of this world is that it did not acknowledge its Creator who was in its midst! It was the greatest neglect, the meanest conduct of the world. The world did not accept His loving words and actions. They wickedly rejected Him and put Him to death! As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:8, “had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” Rejection of Christ proves the world’s tragic condition of sin and pride.

READ:

Colossians 1:17

¹⁷ And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

EXHORTATION:

While declaring the greatness of Christ, the apostle Paul talks about His existence before the world and His role in maintaining it. Paul has already introduced Christ as the Creator of all things in the preceding verses (cf. vv. 15-16). Because Christ is the Creator of all things, it is a forgone conclusion that He precedes all things.

Christ has no beginning as He is not a created being. His birth as Mary’s child was not His beginning. His birth was His incarnation, coming in human form. He co-existed with God the Father through all eternity past. So the apostle John said of Christ, the Word, in John 1:1-3 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” How could He have created all things if He were not before all things?

During His public ministry, Jesus Himself declared that He was before all things. In John 8:58, He said to the Jews, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” In Revelation 1:8, Jesus said, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Jesus further said, “I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen” (Revelation 1:17-18). In Revelation 2:8, He declared that He is “the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive”. As “the first”, Christ is the First Cause, the beginning source of all things. Again in Revelation 22:13, He said, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Then in verse 16, He declared, “I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” In other words, Christ, “the son of David”, is also the Creator of David!

Since the creation of all things, He holds them all by His power. So Paul said, “by him all things consist.” Hebrews 1:3 says that He is “upholding all things by the word of his power”. Christ is the Sustainer of everything in the universe. The coherence and continuity of the world around us, as well as the things above us and in the depths of the oceans, are all under Christ’s purview. The continued existence of the universe and all that are in it, though full of unexplained complexities, is Christ’s work of providence. Oh, how lofty should our praise and adoration of Christ be!

READ:

Colossians 1:15

¹⁵ Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.

EXHORTATION:

The verse begins with a relative pronoun “who” that connects the content of the verse back to the Person mentioned at the end of verse 13, “his dear Son”. According to verse 14, He is the One in whom we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins through His blood. Undoubtedly, Paul is describing Jesus Christ when he said, “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature”. Paul here presents to us Jesus Christ in His relation to God, as well as in His relation to the universe.

In His relation to God, Christ is “the image of the invisible God”. God is invisible as He is an eternal Spirit (cf. John 4:24). 1 Timothy 6:16 says concerning God that He “only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see.” But the invisible God has been made visible in Christ, for He is the “image” of the invisible God. The Greek word for “image” (eikon) denotes an exact replica, a precise copy, an actual representation, etc. Christ, the eikon of God, has revealed to us the invisible God! Jesus Himself said, “he that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9). So in John’s Gospel, we are told that “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (John 1:18). Jesus Christ was the visible expression of God. He manifested God. He is not a lesser God, as some cultic groups say about Him. “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell” (Colossians 1:19). Christ is the fullness of God; hence He is fully God. He is not, as some say, less than God, or one of many gods, or a high angel or a created being.

In His relation to the universe, Christ is “the firstborn of every creature”. Some have falsely interpreted this to mean that Jesus was the first created being. They have mistaken the word “firstborn” to mean born or created first. The Greek word for “firstborn” (prototokos) means the rightful heir or the one in authority. In the following verse, Paul clearly shows that Christ is the Creator and not the first among the creation – “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible” (v. 16). So, Christ is the Creator and Heir of everything. He wields “all power” in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18). He is sovereign over all of creation. Oh, what a great divine Saviour is Jesus Christ our Lord!