Volume 29, IssuE 12 22 May 2016 A Word on Worship Those who seek God in true worship shall not be devoid of truth. Just as Abraham s servant had testified that God hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth (Genesis 24:27), the psalmist has also declared that his truth endureth to all generations (Psalm 100:5). Furthermore, we who abide in Christ have this promise to be guided by His truth, for grace and truth came by Jesus Christ (John 1:17). Let us therefore confess: O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth (Isaiah 25:1). Scripture Memorisation Do Good Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Order of Worship Call to Worship Pastor Prabhudas Koshy Hymn 20: All People That on Earth Do Dwell* Invocation & Psalm 29:1-2* Scripture Reading in Unison* 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 Hymn 245: Channels Only Collection of Offerings Pslam 103:1-4 & Prayer* Hymn 331: The Haven of Rest Scripture Memorisation Pastoral Prayer Sermon Rev Paul Cheng Marks of a Faithful Church 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 Hymn 354: God Leads Us Along* Benediction & Threefold Amen* * Congregation Standing
duty roster Today, 22 May 2016 Next Lord s Day, 29 May 2016 9.00 10.00am CHURCH CHOIR & CHILDREN S CHOIR CHURCH CHOIR & CHILDREN S CHOIR 10.30am 1.30pm 3.30pm CHINESE SERVICE ENGLISH SERVICE FILIPINO SERVICE LIONS HOME MALAYALAM FELLOWSHIP Musician: Flowers: Ushers: Musicians: Ushers: Greeter: AV Ministry: Flowers: Junior Worship: Musician: Usher: Venue: English Speaker: Dialect Speaker: Gan Chin Hwi Pr Daniel Lim Eunice Choy Lee Kim Lei Magdalene Lim Cayson Chok & Robert Ooi Pastor Koshy Rev Paul Cheng Jasmine Low, Sarah Lee Andy Lee, Marcus Peh Lawrence Ng, Chan Tuck Whye David Ng, Linus Kok Stephanie Lee Crew No. 2 Karen Quek Roscelle Lim, Chong Shu Mun Rachel Teo, Lim Hua See Melissa Neo, (Jollyn Low) Neo Kian Seng, (Corliss Ooi) Low Siew Lian Norefel Resuma Pastor Koshy Dorcas Koshy Julius Del Rosario Erly Calaro 9 Bishan Street 13 Elder Ng Poh Kok Elder Alan Choy MALAYALAM FELLOWSHIP Musician: Flowers: Ushers: Musicians: Ushers: Greeter: AV Ministry: Flowers: Junior Worship: Musician: Usher: Venue: English Speaker: Dialect Speaker: Elder Alan Choy Pr Daniel Lim Eunice Choy Tay Soo Thian Gan Sheu Hoong John Peh & Lawrence Ng Dn Low Boon Siang Pastor Koshy Chloe Pawa, Dorcas Koshy Samuel Yong, Andrew Teong Benny Skariah, Danial Wong Cayson Chok, Julius Del Rosario Violet Quek Crew No. 3 Pansy Ng Violet Quek, Valerie Leow Corliss Ooi, Esther/Karen Quek Lee Kim Lei, (Mabel Ng) Karen Quek, (Esther Quek) Adrian Lim Eric Delina Pr Jeremiah Sim Duaine Kabingue Randy Laurencio Daryl Kabingue 487 Bedok South Ave 2 Edwin Quek Pr Jeremiah Sim 2
22 May 2016 Dangers of an Ungodly Relationship Prabhudas Koshy Have you been developing a close friendship with unregenerate people? Have you been dating an unbeliever? Or have you been maintaining your relationship with a Christian in an unbiblical, worldly, carnal manner? Then, please consider the following warnings of God s Word, and quickly deliver yourself from the displeasure of God and much heart-wrenching consequences in life. Consider what an ungodly relationship brings upon you: It pours contempt on Christ and the spiritual union with Him Ungodly marriages and adulterous relationships of Christians not only despise but also pour contempt on the sanctity of your spiritual union with the Lord. So, all Christians are admonished in 1 Corinthians 6:15-20, Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God s. All genuine Christians are joined to Christ, and hence, there exists a sacred spiritual union a close, intimate spiritual oneness Pastoral Exhortation 3
Pastoral Exhortation with Christ he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Because of this spiritual union of believers with Christ, We are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones (Ephesians 5:30). This sacred union with Christ is an abiding relationship that His people cherish more than all other relationships. They are eternally bound to Him and therein grow in closer communion with Him. For this reason, they should not enter into or maintain any relationship that would betray or desecrate their union with Christ. If you are a Christian, you certainly would not appreciate a relationship with someone who does not honour Christ. If you are truly bound to Christ, you will not drift away from Him with someone who does not appreciate Christ and His righteousness. It is a terrible scorn on Christ to be in an ungodly relationship! It promotes unbelief and ungodliness A Christian s intimate relationship with unbelievers places him in a league that accepts and supports unbelief and unrighteousness. Hence, Scripture warns us, Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people (2 Corinthians 6:14-16). How could Christians, who are saved out of unrighteousness, darkness, idolatry and all other forms of worldly and satanic activities, be in alliance with those who continue in them? Christians are always expected to keep away from the ways of unconverted men. 2 Corinthians 6:17 exhorts believers, Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. Christians should never associate with anyone in a manner that would erase the line of demarcation between 4
them and unbelievers. It is the duty of Christians to extricate themselves from all relationships that would require them to accept quietly and support others unbelief and ungodliness. It propels one into sinful conduct Christians are warned: Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners (1 Corinthians 15:33). Close and intimate communication resulting from ungodly companions will corrupt any Christian. Anyone who thinks that he or she will be unaffected by close companionship with unregenerate people is deceived. A Christian who grows closer and closer to a non-christian is lying if he claims that his morals have not been corrupted. The influence that an ungodly person can have on Christians should never be underestimated - a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump (1 Corinthians 5:6)! God s people are therefore warned: Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble (Proverbs 4:14-19). Likewise, Proverbs 22:24-25 cautions: Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. It provides bad example for others Scripture cautions us about men and women who would not only walk disorderly but also become a motivation for others to follow their ungodly example. 2 Peter 2:2 speaks of this dangerous and ensnaring scenario And many shall follow their pernicious ways! Why would you or I be a bad example of rebellion and betrayal? Instead, let us be an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity (1Timothy 4:12b). Pastoral Exhortation 5
junior worshipper s text page Christ Will Strengthen Us! Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Illustration by Melissa Neo When the apostle Paul wrote these words, he was imprisoned and bound in chains. He was put in prison for preaching the Gospel. He was confined in a heavily-guarded prison in the Roman emperor s palace. His confinement and troubles could have made him very sad. He could not do the things he loved the most, such as preaching the Gospel and visiting the churches which he loved very much. He was also prevented from doing all that he had planned to do for the advancement of the Gospel. Regardless of all such heart-breaking experiences, Paul was absolutely confident that His Saviour and Lord would continue to strengthen him to do all that he had been called by the Lord to accomplish. He did not fear that his present imprisonment would shut him away from God s divine purposes and power. Instead, he believed with all his heart that all that had happened to him would lead him to new frontiers of Gospel advancement. In fact, the Lord turned his imprisonment into an opportunity to preach the Gospel to the prison guards, and, through them, to all their colleagues and family members. So, he wrote that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel (Philippians 1:12). The palace (of Caesar) and its surrounding places came to know of Paul and Christ. Whether it be poverty or wealth, sickness or good health, imprisonment or freedom, the Lord can make us fruitful for Him. So, let us prayerfully give ourselves to do His will, even when troubles come upon us. Prabhudas Koshy 6
Collections LORD S DAY on 15 May 2016 Gethsemane Young Mothers Fellowship Gethsemane ADULTS FELLOWSHIP Tithes: 6,434.00 Offerings: 4,973.35 Bldg Fund (Project): 1,900.00; 250.00; 70.00; 10.00 Designated Gifts: TGCM (local) 1,000.00; 650.00; 550.00; 500.00; 100.00; 50.00; 50.00; 50.00; GBPC (Ethiopia) 600.00; 100.00; Students Support (Ethiopia) 505.00; 500.00; 500.00; 100.00; 100.00; 50.00; [30.00 (Filipino F ship)]; Kenneth Wong 50.00 SPECIAL FUND UPDATE (as of 15 May 2016) Building Fund (Project): $1,983,902.80 And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God Deuteronomy 26:10 Topic: Biblical Encouragement for Young Mothers Speaker: Pastor Koshy Date: Friday, 27 May 2016 Time: 4.00pm - 6.00pm Chairperson: Sis Fidelia Mah Venue: Home of Sis Simmi Lijoy Blk 35, Hougang Ave 7 #04-04, Singapore 538802 (Please meet at 3.40pm at Hougang MRT taxi stand if you need transport.) Kindly submit your questions on this topic to gethsemaneyoungmothers@gmail.com before the next meeting. Pastoral Visitation BISHAN / ANG MO KIO REGION Date: Fri, 27 May 2016 Time: 8.00pm Venue: Home of Mr & Mrs Jason Low 7 Bright Hill Drive, Thomson View Condo #22-04, Singapore 579599 Date & Time: Sat, 28 May at 4.00pm Speaker: Pastor Koshy Topic: Book Study of Colossians Chairman: Elder Alan Choy Venue: Home of Mr & Mrs Low Chip Hung 111 Pasir Ris Grove, The Palette, #03-25 Singapore 518170 (Transport from Pasir Ris MRT station at 3.40pm. Pls contact Dn Lok Kwok Wah @ 9022 5508) A concurrent separate programme will be catered for children aged 4-12 (4.00-5.30pm). Sunday Evangelism There will be an evangelism session today at Blk 418 Bedok North Road Singapore 460418. Please meet @ 1.30pm at the foyer. SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP LUNCH announcements Give generously towards our Church Building Fund. If you live in this region, please check that your name is on the list placed on the reception table. If it is not, please add it in. 7 Those who would like packet lunch after worship service for the month of June, kindly place your order and make payment to Sis Aileen Tan next Sunday, 29th May 2016.
announcements Gethsemane B-P Church Camp 2016 CAMP BRIEFING 29th May 2016, 1.30pm There will be a briefing for all campers next Sunday in the auditorium. Thereafter, the camp materials and T-shirts will be distributed. COACH LISTS All campers going by coach are to check for their bus numbers and pick-up points through the coach lists, which will be put up next Sunday in the lobby outside the auditorium. If you have any queries, please approach Bro David Tan. PASSPORT VALIDITY AND VISA All campers are reminded to ensure that their passports are valid until at least 11th Dec 2016. Please also remember to obtain your visa if you need it to enter Malaysia. BIBLE WITNESS MAGAZINE The latest issue on the theme: Boasting is available at the reception table. Please avail yourself of a copy for your sanctified reading. (Feel free to take as many copies as you need to give to others for their spiritual admonition and edification.) Post-Worship Activities Please stay back after worship to join us for: Refreshments & Fellowship 12.30pm 1.30pm Bible Study (Adults, Youths & Children) Cancelled in view of Evangelism Weekly Activities Tuesday Campus Bible Study NAFA Semestral Break Tuesday Night Bible Study & Prayer 8.00pm @ L5 Auditorium, SingPost Centre Wednesday Lunch Hour Bible Study 1.00pm @ Bible Witness Bookroom Wednesday Night GBI-Online Exam on 25 May Thursday Seniors Ministry 11.00am (Please contact Pr Jeremiah Sim) Friday Morning Prayer 7.45am 8.30am @ Church Resource Centre Friday Campus Bible Study SUTD Semestral Break Sunday Lions Home Ministry For enquiry, contact Pr Jeremiah Sim For more information, please call the church office at 6741 1910. Bible Witness Magazine 8 Bible Witness Web Radio Church Weekly Time & Place of Worship 10.30am Level 5 Auditorium Singapore Post Centre 10 Eunos Road 8 Singapore 408600 (next to Paya Lebar MRT station) Prayer Hotline 8138 8139 SMS or WhatsApp your prayer item Our Office 510 Geylang Road, #02-06 Singapore 389466 Tel: 6741 1910 Fax: 6741 1016 Our Websites gethsemanebpc.com biblewitness.com Our Pastor Pastor Prabhudas Koshy Mobile: 9001 1119 Email: pastor.gbpc@gmail.com Our Session Pastor Prabhudas Koshy Elder Mah Chin Kwang Elder Alan Choy Elder Ng Poh Kok Deacon Daniel Lim Deacon Lok Kwok Wah Deacon Kelvin Lim Deacon Francis Lee Deacon Low Boon Siang