QUESTION & ANSWER. Q: What is practical spiritual leadership in the Covenant home and how can it be demonstrated?

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1 MARANATHA MESSENGER Weekly Newsletter of Private Circulation Only MARANATHA BIBLE-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 5 Mar 2006 Present every man perfect in Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:28). Address: 63 Cranwell Road, Singapore Tel: (65) Fax: (65) maranatha.bpc@pacific.net.sg Website: * Sunday School: 9.45 am Worship Service: am Wednesday Prayer Meeting: 8.00 pm Pastor: Rev (Dr) Jack Sin (HP: ) QUESTION & ANSWER Q: What is practical spiritual leadership in the Covenant home and how can it be demonstrated? A: That is a crucial question today, considering the state of our homes affected by spiritual declension and worldliness, rather than the fear of God. The leadership in the covenant home is of utmost importance. Paul, in his instructions to the Ephesians, placed the husband as the head of the home (Eph. 5:22-6:4). Men need to be responsible for what goes on in their homes. Family worship is to be biblically based. God s new covenant with His people is also made with the Church which comprises the elect of God, including heads of households. Throughout Scripture, the family is viewed as a basic unit in the worship of God, in the covenant home and in the congregation of the Church. God s plan of salvation is intimately related to the family, especially in the revelation of God s relationship to His covenant people through Christ. Family worship is a current need in our Churches. Today s Christian families grow progressively weaker and less resistant to worldly pressures. In the past, these pressures seemed to be less of a threat since a form of pro-family tradition was upheld. In the 21 st century, the dominant culture has become in many ways hostile to the Christian family, even sometimes anti-biblical and against the advancement of the gospel. Headship The headship of the Christian husband in a marriage is derived from Christ s headship over the Church (Eph 1:22-23), which is His bride. Biblically, the head of the household authoritatively represents his wife and children in the community or Church and to God and is held responsible by God for their conduct. The Church is made up of households represented by family heads, over whom is Christ, the Head of the household of God. Family worship is a response to God s command to the Christian heads of households; to command and guide their families in the way of the Lord. It is difficult to imagine how else this command could be obeyed fully except by discipline and spiritual instruction in the context of family worship; either of the family as a whole or Bible study with individual family members. Clearly this responsibility cannot be delegated to someone else. It is God s command for the man to be the head of the household and is essential for the whole family, including children and maids. Husbands/fathers as spiritual leaders should bring the whole family to Sabbath worship punctually and regularly and paying attention during worship in order to be able to instruct their children (fellowships and Sunday School as well). It is an important part of our family s lives as a gathered Church for all Christians (Heb 10:24, 25). Wives need to submit to the leadership of husbands where Christ is the centre of the family and the Sabbath worship service to God, a crucial and meaningful element of their family lives.

2 Second, children need to be influenced by godly fathers who are ready and willing to honour, serve and worship God first with love and by example (Col 3:1-5). Children learn best by example, and seeing their father prayerfully prepared, waking up early and attentive in Church and arriving on time every Sunday. This will teach them the importance of biblical worship, daily devotion and Christian principles in those early years. Bible Reading The reading of God s Word is an indispensable element of family worship. It should not be replaced with worldly books no matter how good since they remain the words of men and not God (2 Tim 2:15; 3:16,17). Bible reading can be the simplest means of exercising spiritual leadership. In one-on-one Bible study with a young child, one method is one in which the child reads the passage aloud or silently, asks questions about difficult words and hears the father read the passage aloud. The father can then asks a question, make a comment or give the child an assignment, such as memorising a verse or answering a question or a practical application of the Word. Spiritual leaders should love their wives in response to God s commands on the family (Eph 5:25-28; Col 3:19) is more dependent on our action than words. Husbands need to demonstrate by action that they love God and their wives. Children need to see their father doing things which prove he loves his God and their mother, whether it is praying to God with or for her and helping her with some task (a great way to prove to children that Mom s work is important) or if it involves him backing her up in disciplinary matters. It does not have to be some grand gesture but small opportunities in our daily lives to prove you fear and love God, their mother, the Church and His Word (Jer 15:16). It is a Covenant Obligation to our Children Although the promise is to us and our children (Act 2:38,39), we must not take for granted that we can be assured our children is saved if we fail to share the gospel and raise our children according to God s Word. How can Christ be our Lord and Saviour if God s New Testament instruction to fathers, in Eph 6:4 and Act 16:31 is ignored? Some Christians are uncomfortable with the proverb, Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it (Prov 22:6). These points to the regular practice of family worship led by the father in the history of the Christian family. But today how many know of parents whose children rejected the gospel can sincerely affirm that these children were brought up biblically? How many will bring their children to Sunday School and worship? How many were instructed by their mother and not their father? Something to think about. Spiritual leaders should exercise discipline over their children. Paul said, Bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph 6:4). Obviously, discipline is both teaching and correction and children must have both if they are to grow into what we would expect from mature servants of God. Teaching the shorter catechism (ie Westminster Confession of Faith) to them is effective, coupled with a firm disciplined hand of love (1 Tim 4:12). Spiritual leaders should need to study God s Word with their families. Nothing will produce strong, godly families like a sober and meaningful devotion to God s Word and His moral laws. 2 Tim 3:16-17 speak of God s way of instructing and building godly people with the Word. When we study the Word with our families, we accomplish two things. First, we instil the teachings of God s Word in our children s spiritual convictions. Second, we remind our families that the knowledge of God s

3 Word is important and victorious and necessary for abundant living. Husbands as spiritual leaders should pray often with and for their families. Families are the building blocks of our society and the Church. Satan always seek to destroy the home and he has succeeded by creating divorces, spousal violence and children s and teenagers rebellion and other relationships problem. That is why the prayer of the parents for the children is so vital; like Monica and Suzanna of old for their children, Augustine, Charles & John Wesley respectively. James says, The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much (5:16). Children need to know that Dad has a mercy seat and a throne of grace he can turn to when he needs guidance or when things seem hopeless. They need to know that Dad is accountable to the Lord and He is in charge. They need to know that Dad is concerned enough about them to ask for God s guidance, not only for them, but for him in his dealings with them, at work, in church, for their teachers and all others who have influence over them. Children need to know that God is a Very Important Person in their parents lives. They learn this when they see and hear Dad talk to God daily and read His Word and practise it as well. Covenant families need godly and disciplined leaders in responsible fathers / husbands who love the Lord and know His Word, his Church and family. A family s spiritual leader should lead by Scriptural convictions and directions, pray and share the gospel of Christ to his family members and his domestic helps and witness their salvation, as the Lord wills. Hope this helps you in building a Christ-centred covenant home. Jack Sin * * * * * * * * * IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR THE LORD? (GEN 18:14): A Testimony of Trusting in the Promises of the LORD Sarah, the wife of Abraham, was in a predicament. On the one hand, the LORD gave her (and Abraham) the promise of a child, Isaac. On the other hand, she was too old to have a child. Therefore, when the LORD promised her a son, she was unable to comprehend it by faith, but laughed within herself, and said she was too old to have a child. The LORD s response was, Is any thing too hard for the LORD? We read in Gen 18:10-14, And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. Our God is a God of making impossible things (in the eyes of men) possible for us. Our God is a God who is true to His promises. Isaac was not an ordinary child, but a child of promise, which the LORD had already promised to Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17:19. When the LORD reiterated His promise in Gen 18:10, Sarah would have trusted in the promise of the LORD, and believed that God is able to make impossible things possible. For the last nine months, ever since we have come to Bangalore to establish a Reformed, Bible Presbyterian witness for the Lord, we have been looking around for a piece of land to build a permanent missions centre. Beginning of this month (February), we came very close to getting the piece of land; in fact we even paid the advance amount and entered into a sale agreement. We laboured so hard to identify that particular property, a property with clean title, and located within the IT corridor of Bangalore, an ideal location for a church ministry. However, we were not able to purchase the property because the landlord was insisting for some unethical practices that would help him to evade capital

4 gain taxes. At the end of the whole thing, in a way, we all felt very discouraged because our hard labour went in vain. On the other hand, we felt strengthened in the Lord because we did not compromise on what we believe and preach but we have honoured the Lord by upholding them. We were able to communicate to the landlord that we lose the particular property because we uphold the Christian principles and want to be a testimony for the glory of God. For the last nine months, we tried our level best to find an ideal piece of land, travelling the length and breadth of Bangalore, but still not having the land. Humanly speaking, it is going to be difficult to find another piece of land with clear title and an owner willing to be transparent in his dealing with us. Nevertheless, we trust in the Almighty God, who is able to make impossible things possible for us. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, too hard for the LORD. We commit this matter into the hand of the Lord and ask Him to help us. We are confident of the fact that when we honour the Lord, He will honour us with the very best that He has for us. We praise the Lord for our Mother Church, Maranatha BPC, especially for Pastor Jack Sin and Deacon Steven Ng, for giving us right counsel, advising us to be firm on our principles, encouraging our hearts to continue to wait upon the Lord as He will direct us to the right path. (The telephone calls Pastor Jack made on Thursday morning, 9 Feb, and Dn Steven made on Friday evening, 10 Feb, brought much solace and encouragement to our hearts). We thank God for the Church Session who understood the situation rightly and advised us in the right manner. We praise the Lord for every member and friend of Maranatha for praying for us, supporting us, and standing with us as we went through a difficult time. We request you to continue praying for us earnestly. Things are rapidly changing in India, particularly in the IT cities like Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad. For the current fiscal year, India will have 8.5% of GDP growth, and within next two years the growth will touch double digit. It is forecasted that for the next five years the real estate market will continue to boom. The Union and Provincial governments are very much committed to the infrastructure developments. All these factors contribute to the soaring land price in all the major cities of India. Therefore it is important for us to identify and posses our promise land at the earliest and establish a gospel witness on a permanent basis. For the last nine months, the Lord has been good to us. Recently few new faces have joined our worship services. We particularly thank God for the newly joined family of Bro Paul Jayaraj, Sis Rose, and their daughter Praveena. They come from the Church of South India (CSI) background. (They came to know us through our children s program). They are eager to learn and attend all our activities. Within a short period of time they have become our close and committed members. We have also started ministering to a group of young people, working in a construction firm. They speak Telugu language as they come from the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh. Brother Babu, an Andhra student from a nearby Bible College, helps us in this ministry. Our Trust, India Covenant Ministries, gradually becomes a mature entity. Just last month, we have opened the Trust account in a local bank and from next fiscal year onwards, we will function with the Trust account, with audited and certified balance sheet. We have added three more Trustees; the total number now becomes five, which is the minimum requirement by law for a Trust like us. We have also chosen a motto for our Trust: Not to be Served, but to Serve (Mark 10:45). This is to remind us that we are here because of what Jesus has done for us while on earth, and we too have to serve, emulating His example. Friends, thank you once again for your whole hearted prayers and support. Please continue to do the same as the days ahead of us are going to be more challenging and demanding. As we look forward, we are confident of the fact that the LORD will make impossible things possible for us, as there is nothing, absolutely nothing, too hard for Him. George Skariah (NB: CBPCI is purchasing a mini-van to pick up members/children for Sunday service and children s ministry, which costs S$10,500. Do pray for this matter before the Lord).

5 ****** Purchase of Church Van Ps 96:8,9 say, Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. We thank God for providing us with a church van over the past 10 years, where every Sunday, it was used to ferry about 8-10 persons to church and also for Wednesday nights for prayer meeting, Friday nights for NBCs, yearly VBS and Children s Christmas Gathering, family, hospital visitation, fellowship (MYF, MYAF, MLF) outings and evangelism as well (and even home removal for some members). This present van was bought in 1996 at $75,000 and the COE will expire by 15 May 2006 as the 10 years period is up. For the efficient ministry of the Church, we will need a new Church van in April 2006 which will cost about $50,000 (thanks to the drop in Certificate of Entitlement). Presently, about $34,000 has been raised and we are still short of about $16,000. Thank God for safety on the road and all His provisions in the new year and let us pray and do our part as well as we trust the Lord to supply the Church our every ministry need according to His riches in heaven (Phil 4:13,19). Let us invest our lives, time, talents and resources in advancing the kingdom of God in any way we can, to the spiritual nourishment of others; be it missions, evangelism, discipleship and prayer in supporting the faithful stewardship and ministry in His church (1 Pet 4:9,10). Do pray for the provision of the Church van and anyone who is burdened for this may designate your tithes and offerings toward the Church van fund. * * * * * * * * * At the Pulpit Theme for the Quarter: Proclaiming the Pure Gospel & Godly Living (Galatians) Dr Jack Sin The Meaning of Christian Liberty (Gal 5:1-13) *These hyperlinks work with Word 97 and later version. [End of MM]