God’s Great Promises for the Church

God’s Word holds out to the church many great and precious promises of God. We must be very thankful that we, as a church, are heirs of those divine promises of inestimable value. In the past, we have constantly relied on God’s promises to stand firmly against all tides of false doctrines and ungodliness of our time. We also found God’s promises to be totally dependable, a solid foundation and resource, for all the great and mighty works that the Lord has entrusted us with. As we look forward to bear faithful witness to Christ our Lord and His infallible Word, to thrust forward in building up the congregation in the most holy faith, and to enthusiastically engage in the extension of His kingdom everywhere, His promises are our trusty resource.

In our church, everything we attempt to do is solidly founded on God’s infallible Word. We have always believed that we should attempt to do only that which is sanctioned by the Word of God, and which has the full support of His gracious and precious promises. Our continual reliance on God’s promises has enabled us to overcome many hindrances and trials we had faced in the work of the Lord. May we continue to highly esteem His promises in our hearts, and boldly press forward to carry out everything He has called us to do.

Here are some of the great divine promises for the church, upon which I, as a preacher of the church, have stood all these years. It is with great joy I am publishing them today for your empowerment in the work of the LORD. Please take time to meditate upon them and to see how those promises can embolden and strengthen you as a member of His church to do all His good, and acceptable, and perfect will.

“I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

“For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9).

“And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all”(Ephesians 1:22-23).

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:19-22).

“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him” (Ephesians 3:10-12).

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

“Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body” (Ephesians 5:23).

“Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27).

“...but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church” (Ephesians 5:29).

“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18).

“...the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).

“Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:13-16).

Oh, what great prospect of blessing is laid out for the church in these great promises of God! Oh, what a trusty charter God has penned for the triumph of the church in her battles on earth! Now, dear church, by the power of the truth of His Word and by the power of the presence of the Holy Ghost, let us assuredly march forward with a growing zeal to abound in the work of the Lord. Amen.

A Very Fruitful and Blessed 4th Missionary Conference

Rev Reggor Galarpe

Ipraise and thank the Lord for the great opportunity to attend the 4th Missionary Conference of Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church held in Singapore. Having attended all the previous missionary conferences – the very first, held in Malaysia (2005), the second in Cebu City (2007), and the third in Ethiopia (2011), it is one event that I look forward to – for the following reasons:

1. A time to re-connect with old friends and like-minded brethren. At the conference, we had the opportunity to “catch up” with our co-labourers in the harvest field and also meet new friends from Ethiopia, Kenya, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia and of course, Singapore.
2. A time to be refreshed through fellowship and mutual edification. Right from the airport upon our arrival, we were gladly received by our brethren in Singapore. The whole duration of the conference has been a great time of fellowship among brethren. There are those who would go out of their way to chat with us regarding the work and also about our families back home, while others would bring us out for fellowship over meals. Thank God!
3. A time to rejoice in the Lord as we get to hear reports and testimonies from missionaries. Afternoons at the conference were spent in hearing mission reports of the Lord’s work in and through the missionaries in various mission fields. It is comforting to hear our co-labourers’ testimonies of the Lord’s help to overcome their challenges and press on with the work.
4. A time to be reinforced as we listen and learn from God’s Word. There were 10 messages altogether on the theme: “Primacy of God’s Word in the Ministry of the Church”. And I thank God for the opportunity to preach on the topic: “The Word and Evangelism”. One valuable aspect of the conference was the morning sessions that Pastor Koshy spent with the pastors, preachers, missionaries, elders in prayer and in meditation on God’s Word. I have been greatly ministered by the insights and applications that Pastor shared with us.
5. A time to recharge so as to continue the work of the ministry. To me, every missionary conference is a time to be re-charged, if not revived or renewed. The assurance from God’s Word, the prayers of God’s people, and testimonies of God’s servants, are just so overwhelming that you will be “stirred” or “fired” up to continue in the work of the Lord.

By God’s grace, Elders Richard and Eli, Preacher Edsel, and I have safely returned. All praise and glory be unto God for the manifold blessings.