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“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7). Since the inception of this Church, we thank God for the cheerful giving of His people in buying property for the work of the Lord. Funds were successfully raised for the purchase of the land in Kamoi, Kenya in 1992, to buy our first Church resource centre in 2003, the Ethiopian Building Fund in 2008, the industrial unit at 33 Ubi Crescent for Gethsemane Media Centre (GMC) in 2019 and the gift towards the building of the Church and Bible College in Cherrapunji in 2023. Currently, we are raising funds for the building projects at Cebu, Pangasinan and Vizag. As the Lord enables us, in time to come, we may have other overseas projects and also procure property in Singapore to either expand GMC or to purchase land for a Church building. Historically, our building projects have been classified as restricted funds. These are funds with restrictions placed on the purposes to which these funds may be used. All charities have an obligation to ensure that donations subject to restrictions are applied or utilised within the specified purpose intended by the donors. This is a legal requirement per Charities (Fund-Raising Appeals for Local and Foreign Charitable Purposes) Regulations 2012 (‘the Fund-Raising Regulations’). 

Financial regulations governing restricted funds have increased over the years. These regulations are good for upholding donor intent and fostering trust, maintaining financial transparency and ensuring legal compliance. However, this can give rise to challenges as exemplified in the following scenarios:

1. Currently, we have building projects in Cebu, Pangasinan and Vizag. We pray that all these building projects will be completed smoothly. However, the health of Pastor Reggor in Cebu has highlighted the problem that can arise when the mission Church’s Pastor is stricken. Can we continue with the building project when we have no godly man of God to lead the work? Also, in a hypothetical scenario where a doctrinal issue arises within a mission Church, there is no recourse for the restricted funds for the purchase of land in that mission area to be used in other areas. These funds will either need to be sent, returned to donors or reassigned with the permission of the charity administrator which are all difficult situations to handle.
2. God can enable the work in one mission area to progress faster than another area. For example, if the Holy Spirit enables the work to progress in Vizag much faster than in Cebu, there is no possibility to channel funds from the Cebu building Fund to Vizag to meet urgent financial needs. We will then need to raise funds for Vizag, although there may be a million dollars unutilised in the Cebu Building Fund.
3. God can open new avenues of work to us which will need to be undertaken rapidly. We will then need to raise funds, and there is an increased financial burden on the Church to meet this new work, although there are unutilised funds in multiple restricted building funds.
4. Obstacles in obtaining government and other regulatory licences overseas can bring a building project to a standstill over a prolonged period. The monies placed in the restricted building fund can likewise be “stuck”, in layman’s terms, over a long period as well, which is undesirable, especially when there are urgent financial needs in other building projects.

Administrative challenges and issues also arise in having restricted building funds. They are:

1. Surplus in any restricted fund cannot be easily dealt with. There is a need for timely and efficient utilisation of restricted donations to avoid the practical difficulties of contacting donors when there are surplus funds. Any unutilised restricted donations must be returned to the donor unless the donor has agreed for the funds to be channelled to another purpose within the charity. Locating donors can be difficult when the restricted donations were collected many years prior to the completion of the project, or when there is difficulty in identifying the individual donors. In such situations, the charity needs to communicate with the Commissioner of Charities to see how the surplus can be used. 
2. There is a necessity for a clear understanding and definition of what these restricted funds can be used for. The scope of use of the restricted fund must be clearly defined. If the definition of use is unclear, allegations of misuse of funds can occur. For example, in our restricted building funds, the money can be used not only for the purchase of land, but it can also be used for construction, renovations, professional fees, government fees, taxes and other miscellaneous related land and building matters. The intent and purpose of use of these restricted funds need to be clear in the minds of all donors to prevent misunderstandings, as some may think, for example, it’s only for the purchase of the land or the construction costs of the building.

In light of the above problems, as God enables us to have more building projects, both overseas and local, it behoves us to make sure that our financial controls remain stringent yet flexible to meet the challenges. Designated funds are funds internally earmarked by the organisation’s management committee for specific purposes. This is in contrast to restricted funds, which are dictated by the donor (external). Designated funds are set aside and used only for specific purposes, but unlike restricted funds, they can be redirected or redesignated by the management committee of the organisation within the charitable objectives of the charity. Building projects are usually started under the leadership of the BOE with the affirmation of the congregation, hence the building funds can be classified as designated funds (internal). There is proper accounting of the funds, and yet it gives the flexibility to the BOE to administer the funds where they are most needed.

The current restricted building funds will remain status quo, but beginning 8 Feb 2026, the BOE intends to have a new designated fund known as the “General Building Fund”. In Acts 11:29-30, we read “Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.” Church members of the Antioch Church entrusted their gifts to the Elders in Jerusalem to decide on how to distribute them. Like the Antioch Christians, may the congregation affirm its support to the BOE by entrusting their gifts to the designated fund “General Building Fund” to grant the BOE the flexibility to redesignate and redirect as needed. However, if the Holy Spirit guides you to be specific in your giving, please do so and it will be distributed accordingly. May the Lord help the BOE to administer all the funds received from His people wisely for the gospel work which He has entrusted to us, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ will be exalted and magnified in all corners of the earth. Amen.

A Comforting Exhortation for the Aged Saints of the Church Preached @ Gethsemane Seniors’ Ministry Meeting

Dearly beloved seniors, 

When we can no longer keep pace with the world, we may begin to wonder whether we are still of any value. Yet before God, worth is never measured by speed or relevance. A life lived in faith, prayer, and quiet trust remains deeply precious to Him, and is often most fruitful when it is suffused with the Lord’s gentle, loving presence. There is a quiet, sacred glory in old age when it is lived in close fellowship with God. 

One of the most comforting and deeply assuring thoughts in old age is this: The LORD is my Shepherd. When strength declines, and the path grows quieter, it is a profound peace to know that our care does not rest in our own hands, but in His.

The LORD is Your Shepherd, Even Now

There is hardly a more comforting image than this tender Scriptural depiction of our God: “The LORD is my shepherd”. Not was. Not will be. He is right now our Shepherd. This present-tense confession anchors the ageing believer in unchanging truth. 

The Shepherd of your youth has neither retired nor stepped away from His care for you in your old age. Time has not diminished His watchful care for you. The One who led you through valleys and carried you through storms, does not grow weary with passing years. 

Though age weakened the body and slowed the step, it does not lessen His vigilance over you. He still guides, still provides, still carries, especially when strength fails. In old age, this promise becomes not smaller, but sweeter.

The LORD, Your Shepherd, Knows You Personally

Jesus has said, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep” (John 10:14). When Jesus says, “I… know my sheep”, He speaks of a deep, personal knowledge, not a distant, vague awareness of all His people. He knows their names, their weaknesses, their fears, and their needs. This knowing is relational and loving, marked by care, commitment, and presence. 

In old age, the Lord, our Shepherd, knows us. He knows which sheep limps, which sheep is anxious, which sheep lags behind, and which sheep needs to be carried. He knows your history, your regrets, your losses, your secret fears, and your longstanding obedience. You are not one face among many to Christ. You may forget the names of your dear ones. You may forget dates. You may even forget the good words of the Lord. 

But Christ will never forget you, not once. “Can a woman forget her sucking child…? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee” (Isaiah 49:15). Old age does not make you less known—it makes you more tenderly watched. In Isaiah 46:4, the LORD declares, “And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”

The LORD, Your Shepherd, Gently Carries the Weak

“He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom” (Isaiah 40:11). Here, Scripture does not hide the fact that God’s people grow weak, but it assures us that He does not leave them alone in their frailty. Instead, with gentleness of heart, the Shepherd gathers those who cannot walk on their own, carries them close to His heart, and leads with patience those who are tired and burdened. Isn’t it comforting to know that our weakness does not drive Him away but moves His tender heart to care for us?

There comes a season when walking is slower, reading the Word and praying feel harder as strength fails. But this is not a failure of faith; it is a calling to rest more deeply in the Shepherd’s arms. The LORD reminds us, “And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you” (Isaiah 46:4). As we grow older, God gently leads us away from self-reliance into fuller trust. Once, we longed for independence to do whatever we pleased in our own strength. But in old age, we are gently taught to live more and more by depending on God, trusting His wisdom, His timing, and His sustaining grace. 

Instead of rejuvenating us back to our youthful vigour and strength, He gently teaches us to rejoice in His grace that is sufficient by affirming, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Thus we are taught to say like Paul, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:9). He teaches us through our declining health to rely wholly on the Lord and find our contentment and spiritual strength. Just as Paul wrote, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Cor. 12:10). 

If Christ carried your sins to the cross at the cost of His own life, He will surely carry you through old age with unfailing care. The Saviour who bore your guilt will not abandon you in your bodily weakness. His redeeming love guarantees His sustaining presence all the way.

The LORD, the Shepherd, Never Abandons His Sheep

The LORD has repeatedly assured in the Scriptures, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). In Isaiah 41:10, the LORD says, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God”.

His assurance of His presence helps us face and overcome loneliness, one of the sharpest trials of ageing. As years pass, friends are taken from us, and sometimes even a beloved spouse. Children may move far away, and in some cases, even familiar places change. Yet the Lord remains near, unchanged and faithful, and His abiding presence becomes a deep and steady comfort to the ageing heart.

The LORD, our Shepherd, does not retire from our side. He does not seek to delegate your care. He does not walk away when the night grows long. As David testified, we can assuredly say, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me” (Psalm 23:4).

When He is with us, even death becomes only a shadow. His presence robs our last enemy of its power, for a shadow cannot harm those who stand with Christ. With this confidence, we can ask, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55).

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep” (Hebrews 13:20) has committed us to His unending care. The Lord Jesus said, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28). The Shepherd who walked ahead of us into death and triumphed over the grave will walk with you safely through it.

Conclusion

And when your voice grows weak,
when your steps falter,
and when the final valley comes –
You will hear Him say,
“Fear not. I am here. Follow Me.”
And He will lead you home.

Age may lessen outward strength, but it often deepens inward grace – “though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16). Therefore, continue to cling to the LORD, our Shepherd, through this final season.

As we have just entered the new year, let us acknowledge the Lord who has carried us to this moment. Every day behind us stands as a testimony – not to our strength, but to His sustaining grace. With renewed hearts, let us commit ourselves afresh to Him, seeking holiness in our walk, discernment in our choices, and steadfast zeal in all our service. In a world marked by spiritual confusion and moral compromise, may the Lord grant us watchful hearts, that we may resist the adversary and remain faithful to Christ. 

As we look back, humility with gratitude must become our proper posture. The Lord has dealt with us far better than we deserve. His patience has outlasted our failures, and His mercy has covered our many shortcomings. Let this remembrance guard us from pride and cultivate in us thankful and obedient spirits. Gratitude is not merely an emotion; it is a way of life shaped by grace received. 

Be assured that you and your families are remembered in prayer. Your burdens, labours, and unseen struggles are not forgotten before God. At the same time, I earnestly covet your prayers, that together we may stand firm and finish well. There is much work yet to be accomplished, many responsibilities entrusted unto us, and real burdens that must be borne with patience and faith. The days ahead will not be idle ones. 

The days ahead remain hidden from our sight, but they are fully known to our God. He goes before His people, ordering every step with wisdom and love. Rest in this promise: “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Peter 5:10). May this assurance steady our hearts as we walk forward together in the New Year with faith.

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Testimonies of GYF Retreat Participants

Elizabeth Teong

I thank God for giving me this wonderful opportunity to join this retreat. This was my first youth retreat, and it was very enjoyable. Praise God for all who have made this retreat possible, and for everyone who took care of me. 

Thank God that Pr Cornelius was able to deliver the six theme messages. I have learnt many lessons from this retreat, but one lesson I remember most is theme message 4 – “How not to slide back into past sins”. I have learnt that I should not revisit nor dwell on the past sins, but I should reflect and not do them again. I should also choose my friends wisely, avoid ungodly people, and not allow the distance between God and me to increase. All glory be to God.

Ruth Galarpe

I thank God for the opportunity to join this retreat and for the much-needed fellowship with like-minded brethren. The theme is very timely for me, at an age when sin is more accessible and often easier to justify. I’ve learned that being tempted isn’t the same as sinning; it’s what I choose to do with the temptation that counts. Many of my struggles begin in quiet moments when I feel tired, lonely, or overwhelmed, and temptation often comes disguised as comfort or escape.

This retreat reminded me that yielding is a choice. Every day, I decide whom I will serve. When I surrender my thoughts and actions to God, I experience true freedom. Obedience is protection! There are times when I know what is right yet struggle to do it, and I’ve learned that this struggle does not mean a lack of faith. It means being human, and needing God’s grace.

The hymn, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”, reminds me that though I am prone to wander, I must actively surrender my heart to God. And because of that surrender, I can continue to fight against sin – not in my strength, but by His grace. All glory be unto Him!

Annabelle Lim

Thank God for the opportunity to attend the youth retreat this year. Being my first, it was very special to me. Thank God for enabling Pr Cornelius to preach to us on: ‘Fighting the Good Fight Against Sin’. Theme message 3, taken from Romans 7:7-25, touched me the most – particularly Romans 7:19-20, which says, “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.”

I learnt that the struggle against and hatred of sin are evidence that we are saved. I myself used to think that if I kept struggling with sin, it meant that I was not saved. Sometimes I would get frustrated that temptation remains after conversion, but I realise that as I become more spiritually mature, I will grieve over sin more (Romans 7:21-25). Thank God for clearing many thoughts and misconceptions that I had before the youth retreat. 

I also thank God for how He gave me recovery from my sudden fever on the second day. I thank God for my roommates who reminded me to drink more water and be cautious of what I ate. I also enjoyed the two workshops, and the fun I had in exploring the place with fellow youths. Truly, praise God for blessing me throughout this youth retreat, and for the close fellowship I had with fellow youths.

Judy Chan

Praise God for His mercies in preserving us throughout this retreat. I thank God for blessing the planning committee with unity, wisdom and strength, as well as for helping me serve in the Aux-Comm and carry out my duties as room i/c. I thank God for the opportunity to pray with my roommates, to get to know them, and to hear their testimonies.

I praise God for enabling Pr Cornelius to preach to us faithfully. Among many lessons learned, these two particularly struck me: 

1. When external temptation meets with internal temptation (our lusts), it becomes sin. Therefore, we must be watchful of our surroundings, and yield our hearts to God’s Word.
2. Suppressing our desires will lead to failure because it is based on human strength, but submitting them to God will give us victory because it is divine strength. All glory be to God!

Bernice Tan

Thank God for the three fruitful days spent in fellowship and study of God’s Word. I thank God for enabling Pr Cornelius to share God’s Word with us; the messages were edifying and instructive to us Christian youths in the light of today’s geopolitical circumstances. It was particularly enlightening to learn that temptation itself does not make us evil; the actual issue lies in how we respond when temptation comes. Indeed, we must rely on God’s divine power, not on our own human strength alone, to overcome temptations.

Thank God for also granting the YF Committee and the Aux-Comm the strength and wisdom to organise this retreat. Despite the rainy season, the Lord was ever gracious and granted us good weather to conduct our outdoor activities. Through the carefully crafted workshops and games, not only did we gain a deeper understanding of the Scriptures we studied, but also of how to take our stance as God-fearing Christians. We also had a blessed time of fellowship, and encouraged one another in the Lord.

As the year ends and we return to our respective places of school and work, may the messages we had heard continue to work in our hearts to help us ‘resist the devil’. Praise the Lord!

Clement Tan

First, I like to thank the Lord for His providence throughout the retreat. The good weather, the preaching by Pr Cornelius, and the Aux-Comm’s planning were all provided by the Lord. I thank Him for helping the retreat go smoothly. For example, during the games, it was at first raining quite heavily, but a few minutes later, the rain suddenly stopped, and we were able to proceed with the outdoor games smoothly. This was undoubtedly the Lord’s hand at work.

Second, I praise God for granting us the “tools” to fight the tough battle against sin. I have learnt so many truths from God’s Word about how to guard myself against the temptations of sin in the world. For example, we were taught that temptations are situations of test, and we must rely on God through prayer, admit our inability to overcome sin, and avoid falling into them. Through this retreat, I believe I am better equipped to fight a good fight against sin, even as I witness more worldly temptations around me.

Lastly, I thank God for providing me with a good spiritual environment to mature in the faith. As we were taught in this retreat, watching how those around us flee temptations and sin will strengthen us to do likewise. Therefore, I am grateful to be part of a community of godly youths, and to grow and mature spiritually with them.

The Lord has been a great Help and Sustainer to me during this retreat. May the Lord continue to guard me against sin, and help me fight the good fight against sin.

Parousia Chan

I thank God for granting me the opportunity to attend this year’s youth retreat, in which several messages were preached about our struggles with temptation and sin. I’d like to share three points that I have learnt.

Firstly, I learnt about the distinction between external and internal temptation. External temptations may always be present in the form of things we can see, hear or do, but they will not affect us unless they appeal to internal temptations, which are our own fleshly lusts. Secondly, we must not yield our members as instruments of unrighteousness (Rom 6:13). Instead, we should submit ourselves to the Lord through prayer, and actively use our bodies as instruments of righteousness. Thirdly, God’s law reveals our sins, and we must seek cleansing through the confession of our sins and by trusting Christ’s blood shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Christians will continue to experience a struggle with sin throughout life, but that is proof of our salvation. 

Additionally, thank God for this scenic hilly resort, where we can view His wonderful creation, as well as for the fellowship and laughter shared with fellow campers in this short (3D-2N) but meaningful retreat.

Furthermore, I would also like to thank God for seeing me through the past year. Thank God for the faithful preaching of the Word by Pastor and Pr Cornelius in YF meetings, which are especially relevant to situations we face in life as youths. I’m also very grateful for the blessing of many friends in church who care for and encourage one another throughout the year. All glory be to God!

Reuel Resuma

I praise God for enabling me to attend this year’s youth retreat and for the many spiritual lessons I have learned. I thank God for the YF Committee and the Auxiliary Committee, who meticulously organised this retreat for our spiritual edification. Praise God also for Pr Cornelius, who faithfully expounded God’s Word to us. It was fun playing the games and encouraging to interact with others, even with some whom I have not conversed with in a long time. Truly, I thank God that I could focus on His Word, and have a blessed fellowship with His children. Praise the Lord!

Phoebe Lim

I thank God for this year’s youth retreat and for the many hands that laboured behind the scenes to make this camp a blessed time for us to learn God’s Word and fellowship with the brethren.

Thank God for the faithful preaching of His Word by Pr Cornelius, and for granting him much clarity and discernment in expounding on the theme: “Fighting the Good Fight Against Sin”. The messages reminded me that the real source of temptation arises from our own inner desires, and that we have no one to blame but ourselves for succumbing to our own lusts (James 1:14). Only through humble submission to God, whereby we bring every desire before Him and yield ourselves to His will, can we gain victory over sin. Following are key lessons I’ve learnt: 

Yielding my body as an instrument of righteousness rather than of sin, where there is a deliberate and continual commitment to live in a manner that honours God in every aspect of life. I pray that I continue to bear a good testimony in places where God has placed me, such as at my workplace, that my words, actions, and thoughts would be pleasing and in accordance with God’s will. My life should never be a cause of offence or a stumbling block to others, but rather a consistent encouragement that points others towards Christ and reflects a godly character.

Living a prayerful and sanctified life by maintaining daily communion with God. Through prayer, I acknowledge that without God’s help and deliverance, I can do nothing of eternal value. Only through abiding in Christ daily can I have discernment to make wise choices amidst worldly influences, and remain guarded against the sins and temptations of this world. 

Having “emergency verses” ready to resist sin (Psalm 119:11). The Word of God, highlighted in Ephesians 6:17 as “the sword of the spirit”, is a strong and powerful weapon in spiritual warfare. I pray that I will continue to walk closely with the Lord and meditate on His Word daily, allowing His truths to guide my responses to temptations in accordance with Scripture.

Rayson Tan

Praise the Lord for His abundant grace and continued blessing upon GYF in 2025, and especially for the recently concluded GYF Retreat. Thank God for a blessed time of sitting under His Word and considering a pertinent theme on: “Fighting the Good Fight Against Sin”.

Praise the Lord for enabling Pr Cornelius, as he divided God’s truths to us through the five theme messages, whereby we were reminded that temptation is no respecter of age or spiritual maturity. It comes not only to the young, but also to the mature believers. Both internal and external temptations confront God’s people daily, and therefore the call to “put on the whole armour of God” is our battle cry for all young and old alike to withstand the fiery darts and wiles of the devil. One hymn introduced during the retreat captured this truth succinctly:

“Resist the devil saith the Lord,
His strength to you he gives.
Resist, persist, until he flees,
The crown you shall receive.”

These words reminded us that our own strength never achieves victory over sin, but it is only by humbly relying on God’s power and persevering in obedience. We were also taught biblical ways to resist temptation through prayer, acknowledging our dependence on God; through watchfulness, spiritual vigilance in all our ways; and through yielding our members as instruments of righteousness, soberly reflecting on whom we are yielding to daily – God or sin?

Much praise to the Lord as well for a year of faithful spiritual feeding through Pastor and Pr Cornelius. The Book study on Judges – of the life of Gideon and Abimelech – warned us soberly about ungodly ambition, and reminded us that true success is found only in submission to God’s will. The series, “Old Stories, New Lessons”, by Pr Cornelius brought us back to foundational truths from Creation, the Fall, and Noah’s walk with God. We were reminded that faith means trusting God beyond experience, standing firm in a corrupt world, and persevering in obedience by grace.

Reflecting on all that the Lord has blessed us through the GYF, I’m also grateful for opportunities to serve, particularly in the auxiliary committee in assisting the youth committee. May He continue to help us to endure temptation and press on as strangers and pilgrims, journeying towards our heavenly home. All glory be unto the Lord.

Lim Cuiwen

I thank God for granting me the opportunity to attend this youth fellowship camp. The messages shared throughout the camp were especially impactful to me, and I truly felt that they came at the right time in my life.

Recently, I have been quite busy with both work and studies. In the midst of all these, the people and environments I am exposed to have made me more vulnerable to sin and temptation. I thank God for the spiritual advice and guidance that were given during the camp, especially in helping me reflect more deeply on the choices I make in my daily life, and whether they are in accordance with God’s will. I was reminded of the importance of being watchful and careful in guarding my testimony, and of how even a small action can impact those around me.

Through the messages at the camp, I was also led to reflect on my intentions behind my actions, and whether they are truly aligned with God’s will. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6).

Ruhamah Resuma

This year’s youth retreat has been one I’ve anticipated for a very long time. It’s truly been a time of blessing, learning about temptations and how to overcome them, so that I will not sin. The lessons were very enlightening.

I thank God also for all the hard work put into making this retreat smooth and memorable. I remember Pr Cornelius sharing three ways to help me not yield to temptation: firstly, prayer; secondly, watch and be alert in the evil times; and thirdly, do not yield our bodies to unrighteousness. Pr Cornelius also taught us that “temptation” (as a noun) means a time of testing, whereas “tempt” (as the verb form) means “seduce”.

I also can’t forget watching the documentary drama titled, “In Our Hands: Battle for Jerusalem”, and with Pastor’s help, we learned more about Israel both in Biblical times and the present. In addition, the games were unforgettable, and I personally had a lot of fun and hope everyone else did too! The workshop on “Why We Use The KJV” was also very helpful. I learned about five things that made the KJV the best translation: text, translators, technique, theology, and its view on the Trinity. Also, during meals, breaks, and free time, I was able to make new friendships and spend more time with friends. I pray that God will bless us all, and that the Spirit will remind us of the lessons we learned to help us in times of trial.

Nathan Resuma

I thank God for all the blessings I have received during this year’s GYF Retreat. Thank God for helping Pr Cornelius to preach on “Fighting the Good Fight Against Sin” in the theme messages, and for enabling Pastor to teach when he came on the second day. I thank God for enlightening me through the messages on how to fight against sin. I pray that God will help me to apply the lessons I have learned in my life to help me in my service for Him. Praise God for the committee members, adults, and resort staff who worked behind the scenes to make this retreat possible. I thank God for the workshops, especially the first one with the documentary, which has enlightened me from God’s Word on the land of Israel, and “Why We Use the King James Bible”. Last but not least, I thank God for the fellowship and new friends I have made during this retreat.

As we come to the close of another year, many of us sense how different its ending feels from its beginning. Circumstances have changed: some unexpectedly, some painfully. Plans we once made confidently may have been altered, and people we relied upon may no longer walk beside us as they once did. Yet amid all these changes, one truth remains a deep and steady consolation for the Christian’s heart: God is faithful. 

1 Corinthians 1:9 states, “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” God is unchanging, ever dependable, and true. Time does not weaken His purposes, nor do shifting seasons diminish His care. The God who called us “unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord”, remains the same at the year’s end as He has been at its beginning. 

He has not withdrawn His hand, or forgotten His promises, or altered His commitment to His people. While much around us may have shifted, He abides as our unfailing help and enduring strength. Therefore, as we reflect on the year that will soon pass, and look ahead with uncertainty to the one before us, may we do so, resting not in our circumstances but in the steadfast faithfulness of our God.

God will also remain faithful to all His promises. He will not fail to perform what He has promised. We can trust Him to keep every word He has promised. He will not deceive us. He will not commence anything which He will not perfect and finish. Our confidence in the blessed hope that Christianity gives to us, is wholly built upon the faithfulness of God!

The apostle Paul’s purpose in presenting the truth about God’s faithfulness here, is to provide the proof for his earlier statement that the believers will be kept blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, their ultimate bliss in heaven is guaranteed by the fidelity of God. As Paul said in Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”.

Paul also reminds the believers that God has called them. He said to them, “ye were called”. It is God who called them. The word “called” here does not refer merely to an invitation, but what the theologians refer to as “the effectual calling”. When the Gospel call is given to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, some hearers will reject it. But some others would experience a deep-felt, inward call to repent and believe on Christ. Those who are effectually called do not just receive the external call of the Gospel, but also the inner call of the Gospel by the working of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. Westminster Shorter Catechism explains effectual calling as “the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel” (Q & A: 31).

When God calls us, He leads us into a close fellowship or communion with His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. To be called into this fellowship is to be brought into a living, personal and abiding communion with Christ Himself. Through every changing season of the year, whether marked by joy or sorrow, clarity or confusion, Christ has not withdrawn His presence from His people. Fellowship with the Son means more than belonging to a Christian community; it means walking daily with the risen Lord, drawing strength from His grace, comfort from His promises, and direction from His Word. 

As the year comes to a close, we are reminded that our greatest blessing has not been favourable circumstances, but uninterrupted communion with Christ. Therefore, as we enter a new year, let us seek to live more conscientiously and faithfully in this fellowship – abiding in Him, trusting His leading, and finding our true joy in a close and reverent walk with the Son whom the faithful God has given to us.

Bible Witness TV (BWTV) has been broadcasting a weekly series titled “The Holy One of Israel”, presenting key theological and pastoral insights (from the Book of Isaiah) related to that designation of the LORD. The prophet Isaiah employs that designation of God twenty-five times, far more frequently than any other biblical writer. By utilising this title, Isaiah integrates two essential characteristics of God: His complete holiness and His distinct covenant relationship with His people.

The series of studies on BWTV will help shape our minds to think and act in ways that reflect the holiness of our God in our own time. (For all the episodes of this series, past and present, please visit BWTV’s Main Channel - https://biblewitnesstv.com/main). 

Examining the significance of this title is not merely a matter of linguistic interest; it is a pursuit of deep theological understanding. This exploration opens up the heart of Isaiah’s message, where the majesty of divine holiness confronts the reality of human sin, and where God’s mercy is revealed through redemptive grace. For believers today, grasping the meaning of “The Holy One of Israel” enriches their comprehension of who God is, sharpens their awareness of sin, and inspires their commitment to holiness in both life and ministry.

The following topics are covered in this series: 

• The Holy One of Israel – 1: The Holiness of God
• The Holy One of Israel – 2: God’s Covenant Nearness 
• The Holy One of Israel – 3: God’s Justice and Judgment
• The Holy One of Israel – 4: God’s Affront by Sin
• The Holy One of Israel – 5: God, the Only One
• The Holy One of Israel – 6: God, the Rebuker of Idols
• The Holy One of Israel – 7: God, the Faithful Lover of His People 
• The Holy One of Israel – 8: God, the Redeemer and Restorer 
• The Holy One of Israel – 9: God, the Promise-Keeper
• The Holy One of Israel – 10: God, the Sovereign King of Glory

An Overview of the Series

The frequency of the title, “The Holy One of Israel”, in the Book of Isaiah is not accidental. Isaiah uses the title to emphasise God’s distinctiveness, transcendence, and intimate involvement with His chosen people. The phrase first emerges in Isaiah 1:4, where it is invoked in the context of Israel’s rebellion: “they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.” Here, the title functions as both an indictment, and a reminder that God is not merely a distant deity, but the Holy One whom Israel is called to worship and obey.

Isaiah’s vision in chapter 6 – in which the seraphims cry, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts” – sets the theological tone for the entire Book. The prophet is undone by God’s holiness, yet he is also cleansed and commissioned. This pattern—where God’s holiness exposes human sin, and yet also provides the way for forgiveness—runs like a thread through the whole Book of Isaiah. The Holy One of Israel is both Judge and Saviour, whose covenant faithfulness endures despite the failings of His people. 

Throughout Isaiah, the title recurs in passages that span rebellion (Isaiah 1:4; 31:1), judgment (Isaiah 5:19; 30:11), comfort (Isaiah 41:14; 43:3), and eschatological hope (Isaiah 54:5; 60:9). These varied contexts reveal that the Holy One of Israel is both the source of righteous judgment and the fountain of redemptive mercy. His holiness is not opposed to His love; rather, it is the very ground upon which His faithfulness is built.

Furthermore, the title points to God’s unwavering commitment to His promises. In Isaiah 41:14, God assures Israel, “Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” Here, God’s holiness is not an abstract idea but a living reality – God’s very character shaping all His actions towards His people. The Holy One is trustworthy, steadfast, and actively involved in the history and destiny of Israel.

“The Holy One of Israel” also reveals His holiness through His faithful love towards Israel. His holiness guarantees Himself as the Promise-Keeper to His people. Though His people rebelled (“they have forsaken the LORD” – Isaiah 1:4), His faithfulness remained unbroken. Isaiah praises Him: “thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth” (Isa. 25:1). He remembers His covenants with Abraham, David, and Zion. Even when judgment falls, His mercy stands firm for He said, “neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed” (Isa. 54:10). What He speaks, He fulfils (Isa. 46:9–11). His promises rest not on man’s worthiness, but on His own holy character. The Servant Songs (Isa. 42–53) reveal that these promises reach their climax in Christ, where divine truth and mercy meet. In Him, every word of God stands confirmed. The grass withers, but His Word endures forever (Isa. 40:8). God’s holiness guarantees His faithfulness—what He begins, He completes.

Ultimately, in Isaiah, the Holy One reigns in majestic glory, yet graciously stoops to cleanse, restore, and commission His servant. Isaiah’s vision opens with overwhelming splendour: “I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up” (Isa. 6:1). From that moment onwards, the prophet’s message unfolds the sovereign rule of this holy King over all creation. He is the true Ruler of nations, the One whose purposes cannot be overturned, whose Word stands forever. His dominion culminates in the declaration: “For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us” (Isa. 33:22). Earthly empires rise and fall, yet His throne remains unshaken and eternal.

The radiant glory of this King fills Zion, and His light draws the nations to worship and obedience: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee” (Isa. 60:1). In the closing vision (Isa. 66), Isaiah beholds the consummation of all things when the Holy One, reigning in righteousness, is worshipped by all peoples. Thus, the Book ends where it has begun: with the Sovereign enthroned in glory. He is the Holy One of Israel, the Sovereign King of Glory, exalted in holiness, unshakable in majesty, steadfast in mercy, and supreme in power forever.

Sermon Text: Selected Scripture Texts
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 18th April 2021

(Sermon starts around 1:02:41.)

Sermon Text: Selected Scripture Texts
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 11th April 2021

(Sermon starts around 50:00.)

Sermon Text: Selected Scripture Texts
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 28th March 2021

(Sermon starts around 44:22. We apologize that the sermon got cut off due to an unstable internet connection on that day.)

Sermon Text: Selected Scripture Texts
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 21st March 2021

Sermon Text: Selected Scripture Texts
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 14th March 2021