G e t h s e m a n eBible-Presbyterian Church

Not my will, but Thine, be done (Luke 22:42)Volume 22, Issue 31 4th October 2009

Clear instructions are given in the scripture concerning how believers should relate to their pastors. The unity and effectiveness of a local church are greatly dependant on the good relationship between the congregation and the pastor. Therefore, the Lord provided specific guidelines in his Word concerning the attitude and response of believers to their faithful pastors. It is important that believers understand and yield themselves to fulfil the biblical instructions on this matter.

Obey your pastorshebrews 13:17 exhorts all believers, Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

The Greek word for obedience, peitho, literally means to be continually persuaded. It emphasises that believers must be ready and willing to be persuaded by the biblical doctrines and principles that the pastor proclaims. This thought is further enhanced as we are also commanded to submit. When these two verbs are used together, the idea of obedience becomes all too apparent. so, we are taught in this verse that compliance to pastoral instructions is required of all believers.

It is also important for us to note that hebrews 13:17 expects all believers to voluntarily submit to their spiritual leaders. The exhortation to submit yourselves is a call to make every effort to subject ourselves to the spiritual leaders whom God has appointed. submission has to be voluntary on the part of every believer.

Acts 2:3838 Then Peter said unto them,

Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost.

Our Pastor: Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy (M: 9001 1119, H: 6788 1721, Email: gethsemane@pacific.net.sg)Our Office: 510 Geylang Road, #02-06, Singapore 389466. Tel: 6741 1910, Fax: 6741 1016

O come, let us worship and bow down:Let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

Psalm 95:6

Biblical Guidelines on How to Relate to

Your Pastors/Elders - I

Pastoral Exhortation

Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy

Call to Worship Elder Mah Chin Kwang

*O Worship the King (1)* Invocation & Gloria Patri

* Scripture Reading in Unison (John 8:31-36)

Jesus Shall Reign (216)Collection of Offerings

Doxology & Prayer

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms (101)Childrens Sermon

Pastoral Prayer & Sermon Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy

Christ, the Liberator (Christian Freedom I)

(John 8:31-36)Holy Communion*At the Cross (178)

* Benediction & Threefold Amen* Congregation Standing

to all worshippersWelcome

Order oF Worship

Scripture Memorization

2

Our Church Session: Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy (9001 1119), Elder Mah Chin Kwang (9325 0668),Elder Alan Choy (9853 9556), Dn Arvind Pawa (9642 8954), Dn Daniel Lim (9385 0371),

Dn Lok Kwok Wah (9022 5508), Dn James Wong (9023 3003) & Dn Kelvin Lim (8268 2828).

The world may describe submission as weakness; but the Word of God views it as a spiritual virtue. It is the spiritual power that restrains all our prideful and rebellious attitudes. It is a very high and noble virtue, which pleases the Lord. submission of believers to their godly pastors promotes obedience, righteousness, unity, peace and joy in the church. In so doing, the glory of the Lord shall reign.

hebrews 13:17 clearly tells us the main reason why members should be submissive to their pastors for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account. Only submissive and obedient members can receive the full pastoral care offered by faithful pastors, who minister with their final accountability to God in view. If you remain obedient, the biblical teachings of pastors will protect you from sin and falsehood. Furthermore, the biblical guidance which the pastors give will help you to grow in faith and in holiness unto the glory of Christ. so let us joyfully submit and obey our godly pastors.

Bring joy to your pastorsat the end of hebrews 13:17, believers are exhorted that their attitude towards their pastors ministry should help them to do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. The Greek grammatical construction of this verse clearly expresses this to be a command to all believers that their responses to and relationship with their pastors will enable them to truly enjoy their pastoral work.

The church in Philippi brought much joy to the apostle Paul that he wrote to them, saying, Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved (Philippians 4:1). similarly, he

rejoiced and thanked the Lord for the members of the church in Thessalonica. he wrote about them in 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy. Later, he repeated the same sentiments, For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God (1 Thessalonians 3:9).

If you bring grief, instead of joy, hebrews 13:17 warns us that it is unprofitable for you. The Greek word translated as unprofitable does not only imply no advantage or without special benefit, but also hurtful or pernicious. It cautions us that we will be hurting ourselves, if we cause grief in the hearts of those whom God has appointed to watch over our souls.

Remember your pastorsIn hebrews 13:7, believers are urged to remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God. The Greek word for remember is mnemoneuo, which brings to mind such ideas as be mindful of, call to mind, make mention of, to think of and feel for a person or thing, etc. There are great spiritual advantages in remembering fondly your pastors preaching, passionate pleading, prayer, private counsel, and example. Keeping them upfront in your mind will certainly influence your life to excel in your walk with God, just as they have done.

(second part of this article will be published next Lords Day.)

Pastoral Exhortation

Our Staff: The Gethsemane Care ministry Bro Jerah (9337 2337), Gethsemane Chinese service Dn Daniel Lim (9385 0371),Gethsemane Filipino service Pr Dennis Kabingue (9648 0004), Gethsemane Childrens ministry Pr Kelvin Lim (8268 2828)

Church Office Diana Koh, Bible Witness Dn Kwok Wah, Kenneth, John, Melissa Mah, Eric & Ruth

Junior Worshippers Devotion

3

John the Baptist listened to Gods Word. John came baptizing with water in order to identify the messiah for the nation of Israel and the world. he was told by God: Upon whom thou shalt see the spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the holy Ghost (John 1:33b). John saw and testified that Jesus is the son of God (John 1:34). he also declared to the world that Jesus is the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29). John obediently did what God told him to do, and the Bible testifies of his obedience. What about you, do you listen to Gods Word?

Listening is a skill that requires focus and obedience. For example, during the craft time in the Childrens ministry or Junior Worship, most children are more excited about the completed craft which the teacher holds in his or her hand than listening to the instructions given. When it is time for them to do the craft, the children do not know what to do with the materials that were given out. In the end, the teacher has to repeat the instructions, and more time has to be spent on the Craft session while the Games session has to be shortened to the dismay of every child. Thus, listening is an important skill which all of us need to acquire. how much more when it comes to the listening of Gods Word.

When we do not listen to God and his Word, we will suffer. The Jews asked John the Baptist to give a reason for baptizing with water. John told them that God had sent him

to identify the messiah (messiah is the hebrew equivalent of Christ which means the anointed one), and introduce him to the people. But most of the Jews still chose not to listen to Johns testimony. In fact, they chose to suffer the consequences of sending Jesus to be crucified when they said to Pilate, his blood be on us, and on our children (matthew 27:25).

Due to their rejection of Christ, the Jews and their posterity suffered much in both the physical and spiritual sense. They were dispersed to every corner of the earth and did not have a land of their own until 1948. They did not have the peace which only Jesus gives because they do not know him. even to this present day, many of the Jews are still waiting for the messiah to come, but in vain. They chose not to listen to John the Baptist and his testimony about the Lord Jesus Christ. They will not believe that Jesus is the messiah or Christ whom God had sent, and will not turn to him for the salvation of their souls.

Children, how about you? Will you listen to Gods Word, and believe that Jesus is the messiah and turn to him for the salvation of your soul? many a time,

we suffer the consequences of not listening to our parents instructions. For example, they often tell us, no climbing or Dont run! But do we listen

and obey? no, we often choose to reject their counsel. as a result, we fall down and hurt

ourselves. Is this not true also in the spiritual aspect? Will you then be obedient to God and his Word?

Do You Listen to Gods Word?by Pr Kelvin Lim

And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoes latchet I am not worthy to unloose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. John 1:25-28

GEthsEmanE YOunG aDults FEllOWshiP

Walk as Christ Walked

speaker: Rev Dennis Kwok Chairman: Bro Beng Wee

Date: Friday, 9th October 2009

time: 7:30pm (Pot-bless dinner)

Venue: home of Bro Jeremy mark & sis meilanie

Block 270 #06-133 tampines st 21

For enquiries or directions, please call sis meilanie (8138

8885) or sis Kamala (9026 0401). Those who like to open

their homes for YaF, please inform sis Kamala.

redeeming the timeannual ChuRCh CamP 200930th November 2009 - 4th December 2009

speaker: Rev Reggor GalarpeVenue: Klana Resort, seremban, malaysia

Camp fees, including 2-way coach transport:$430 (Single Room), $320 (Twin-sharing), $240 (Child* with bed), $180 (Child* without bed).Infant below 4 - free (* Child - aged 4-12 years)Camp registration forms are available at the reception table. Please fill in the form, attach a photocopy of your passport and pass them to Dn Kwok Wah. Please ensure that your passport expiry date is on or after 5th June 2010 (6 months validity). Closing date for registration: 25th October 2009

4

sunday Collection(september 27 English service)

Tithes: $2,900.00

Offerings: 3,480.75

Building Fund (Ethiopia): 1,000.00

Building Fund (Local): 500.00

Gift: Kenneth Wong (400.00)

Our Place of Worship: SingPost Auditorium (Level 5), 10 Eunos Road 8, Singapore 408600Our Websites: www.gethsemanebpc.com; www.biblewitness.com

Mon - Sat Activities October 05 - October 10

TuesdayPrayerGathering(8:00pm)Venue: SingPost Seminar Room #02-31

WednesdayLunchHourBibleStudy(12:45pm)Venue: Bible Witness Media Ministry Bookroom (Tel: 6438 0578), Hong Lim Complex

ThursdaySeniorsMinistry(11:00am)Venue: Please contact Dn Daniel Lim for more information at 9385 0371.

FridayMorningPrayer(6:30am-7:15am)Venue: Church Resource Centre (For more info, please call Pr Kelvin Lim at 8268 2828.)

YoungAdultsFellowship(Every2ndand4thFriday,8:00pm)Please contact Sis Kamala for more information at 9026 0401

Satu

rday

ChurchChoir Time:2:00pm Venue: SingPost Seminar Room #02-31

AdultsFellowship

Every 1st and 3rd Saturday, 4pm.Venue: SingPost Seminar Room #02-31 Annexe

GethsemaneChildrensMinistry

Time:4:00pm Venue: SingPost Seminar Room #02-31Teachers: Sis Kamala & Dn Lok Kwok Wah

Song Leader: Sis Gan Sheu HoongRefreshment: Sis Lee Kim Lei

GYBHTime:4:00pm Venue: SingPost Theatrette Rm 2Chairman: Chin Juo Wi Speaker: Pastor Koshy

Topic: Bible Study on The Minor Prophets of the Bible

non-sunday CollectionGeneral Fund: 300.00

Building Fund (Ethiopia): 1,800.00

2010 Ethiopian Assignmenttarget: $500,000.00Collection (as of 27th September): $381,739.92

Please give cheerfully!Let us rise and build!

hasten to complete the work!Strengthen their hands

in the work of the house of God Ezra 6:22

Sunday Activities October 04 October 11Li

ons

Hom

e M

inis

try

(10:

00am

) Venue:

Suspended SuspendedEnglish:

Chinese/Dialect:

Get

hsem

ane

Filip

ino

Serv

ice

(12:

00no

on)

Worship Leader: Bro Eric Delia Bro Eric Delia

Preacher: Pr Dennis Kabingue Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy

Usher: Bro Arnold Diaz Bro Randy Laurencio

Pianist: Bro Josias Pawa Sis Carmen Wong

Refreshment: Sis Daryl Kabingue Sis Emelinda Villardar

Get

hsem

ane

Chi

nese

Ser

vice

(2

:30p

m)

Worship Leader: Bro Gan Chin Hwi Bro Stephen Yap

Preacher: Pr Daniel Lim Pr Daniel Lim

Pianist: Sis Flora Ng Sis Sarah Yap

Ushers: Robert & Samuel Cayson & John

Refreshment: Sis Ivy Seah Sis Roscelle Lim

Get

hsem

ane

Engl

ish

Serv

ice

(2:3

0pm

)

Worship Leader: Elder Mah Chin Kwang Dn James Wong

Preacher: Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy

Pianists: Chloe Pawa & Eunice Choy Sarah Lee & Jasmine Low

Ushers: Dn Kwok Wah, Dn Pawa, Tuck Whye, Benny,

Danial & Sean Stephanie Lee (Greeter)

Dn Kelvin, Kwan Teng, Francis Lee, Max,

Randy & Jeremy Mark Siew Lian (Greeter)

Junior Worship: Ruth Low, (Cecilia Siah), John Peh

Dorothy Ng, (Diana Chan), Luan Kheng

Sunday School: Carolyn Koshy & Kelvin Lim Carolyn Koshy & Kelvin Lim

AV Ministry: Crew No. 1 Crew No. 2

Flowers: Diana Chan Carolyn Koshy

Refreshment Duty:

Gina Sim, Seong Yeng & Diana Chan

Amy Peh, Cecilia Tan & Aileen Tan

Adults Bible Class (4:45pm) The Meek The Hungry

Malayalam Fellowship (6:30pm) Venue: SingPost Theatrette Rm 2

sola scripturareformation lecture & cantata 2009

Date: saturday, 17th October 2009Venue: singPost Level 5 auditorium

lecture: 9.30am-10.30am (Pastor Koshy)Cantata: 11.00am-12.30pm (Church &

Childrens Choir)

Invite Catholic and Christian friends to hear the truth of Gods Word.

The new Church session (2009-2011)During the aCm held last Lords Day, 27 september 2009, the following were elected into the session of Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church:1. Prabhudas Koshy (as Pastor/Chairman)2. Choy Weng Heng (as Elder/Clerk-of-Session)3. Arvind Kumar Pawa (as Deacon/Treasurer)4. Mah Chin Kwang (as Elder/Session Member)5. Lim Hoe Chiang (as Deacon/Session Member)6. Lok Kwok Wah (as Deacon/Session Member)7. Wong Chee Meng, James (as Deacon/Session Member)8. Kelvin Lim Cheng Kwang (as Deacon/Session Member)

ladies Prayer GroupDate: Wednesday, 21st October, at 3:00pm

speaker: elder mah Chin KwangChairperson: sis Gina sim

Venue: home of sis Dorothy ng (6281 2056)Block 414 #06-361, serangoon Central

all aRE WElCOmE!