O Worship the LORD in the Beauty of Holiness

	8.00 am	11.00 am
Call to Worship	Dn Teo Kian Guan	Dn Teo Kian Guan
Opening Hymn  +Invocation-Gloria Patri	Abba Father! We Approach Thee (HGG 20)	Abba Father! We Approach Thee (HGG 20)
Scripture Reading	Psalm 42	Psalm 42
Hymn		Teach Me to Pray (HGG 674)
Offertory Hymn	Teach Me to Pray (HGG 674)	The Love of God (HGG 75)
Doxology & Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
Sermon	Our Heavenly Father (Matthew 6:7-13) by Rev Charles Seet	Our Heavenly Father (Matthew 6:7-13) by Rev Charles Seet
Closing Hymn	This Is My Father’s World (HGG 61) *The Lord’s Supper	This Is My Father’s World (HGG 61)
Benediction
Announcements

 

MY CALL TO FULL TIME MINISTRY

 By Shawn Lim

In this weekly article, I share how God has providentially called me to the full-time ministry, my decision to pursue a theological education in Reformed Theological Seminary Charlotte, and my post-study plans. I request your prayers for my family and me as I begin my seminary education that we will continually look to Christ and run with endurance the race set before us.

May these words also encourage you to discern God’s calling for you, even to forsake secular ambitions for the sake of the gospel.

Introduction

I consider church camp 2014 the decisive moment when I made pastoral ministry a central ambition. That moment, however, was a culmination of earlier convictions and was the beginning of the process to confirm God’s call for me.

Convictions

From my early teens, I found pastoral ministry to be a noble and desirable pursuit. My father introduced preachers who exulted in the pastoral ministry. They taught me that there was nothing more honourable than to dedicate oneself to the proclamation of the Word.

For example,

“Ministering in the church constitutes the highest privilege. Nothing could be more honorable or have greater eternal significance than serving our Christ in His church.” (MacArthur Pastor’s Library on Pastoral Ministry, pg. xi)

Not just with words, but with their lives they presented the pastoral ministry as one of great joy and privilege. Pastoral ministry was not something to be avoided at all costs. This aligned with Paul’s affirmation that “This is a true saying, “if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” (1 Tim. 3:1). It is a good thing, a right feeling, that one should desire the pastoral ministry.

The second conviction that I developed was that Scripture is the ultimate basis of one’s holy ambition, especially in ministry. When Paul shared his ambitions with the Roman Church, he rooted his ambition in his meditation and reflection on Scripture rather than his Damascus Road experience.

Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: but as it is written [quoting Isaiah 52:15], “To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.”

Romans 15:20-21

Paul understood that the Suffering servant of Isaiah 53 who bore the sins of the whole world must be exalted. He will be seen and heard by all those he had come to save. More than that, Isaiah speaks of the glory that he deserves: 

“It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.”

Isaiah 49:6

Jesus deserves more than the praise of one nation, or one class of people. He deserves the praises of the whole world. Every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil. 2:9-11). And the zeal of the Lord will perform this (Is. 9:7).

Moreover, our Lord Jesus invites his followers to participate in his exaltation. As Paul explains in Acts 13:47, we are the means in which God will make Jesus known to all the nations.

Representing Singapore on an international stage comes with great honour and privilege. But greater is the privilege of being ambassadors of Christ. Working hard on projects and initiatives could reap great benefits for the company and ourselves. But greater is the reward of preaching Christ. Not just greater, but it is more certain and lasting because God will see to it.

Therefore, the desirability of the pastoral ministry as seen in the words and lives of pastors, grounded in the truths of scripture, made me seriously consider the pastoral ministry as an ambition since I was in secondary school. Consequently, when John J Davis called on us to consider the ministry, I was compelled to rise to the challenge.

Calling

“I hope there are numbers of them [young people] who will look beyond the incomes of an occupation to the thrill of ministry.

I’ve had opportunities in life to be in all kinds of fields from broadcasting to whatever. And I’m here to tell you: there is no greater thrill than to see people come to the Lord Jesus then watch them grow and to cultivate that growth.

Young man, I hope you will think about ministry.” (John J Davis, 2014)

These words were part of his concluding remarks of the final church camp message. I do not remember the exact words (thank God for recordings!). But I distinctly recall being deeply challenged to give up all other ambitions for the sake of the gospel.

As we sang the closing hymn, the excitement and turmoil of this commitment intensified.

O Jesus, I have promised to serve thee to the end.

Yes, when I was 15-17 years old, I acknowledged Christ to be my Lord, and by extension, myself His servant. But these words took on greater significance as I assented to the prayer. Yet, at the same time, I found myself reeling away because of my desire for comfort. These hesitations were providentially quelled as I sang:

I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear;

My foes are ever near me, around me and within;

But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.

“But I want to be rich!” came my immature protest. Yet I prayed:

O let me hear Thee speaking in accents clear and still,

Above the storms of passions, the murmurs of self-will.

Storms of passion, indeed. Tossed around but finding calm in Jesus’ reassuring voice:

O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control

O speak, and make me listen, Thou guardian of my soul.

I wonder whether I would have completed the hymn if not for the fact that we were singing it together (thank God for congregational singing!). By the end of the prayer, my commitment to serve Him grew resolute:

And, Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end:

O give me grace to follow, my Master and my friend.

Confirmation

While church camp 2014 cemented my internal desire for pastoral ministry, I recognised the need for external confirmation of such a desire by the local church as well.

The first confirmation was time. It is possible that my desire was a “spiritual high”. Perhaps when the world and its pleasures present itself, the Word would be suffocated. My pastor and parents advised me to complete my secular degree and spend some time in the work force before considering again.

At the same time, I sought opportunities to exercise my gifts, eagerly taking on roles in teaching and leadership within various church ministries (e.g. Children’s Ministry, Youth Fellowship, Sunday School).

The second confirmation came from friends around me who affirmed my desire to enter the pastoral ministry. Especially Sarah, who not only supported my decision but was similarly convinced that she should give up secular ambitions for the ministry. Her unwavering support for me, and for our desire to serve God together has been invaluable, and I cannot imagine what this journey will be without her by my side.

In December 2020, I wrote a letter to the Board of Elders (BoE) outlining my desire to enter the ministry and my intention to pursue theological studies overseas. This initiated a process whereby the pastoral team would mentor me and evaluate my character, service, and competency for pastoral studies.

On retrospect, I am thankful for the last nine years of waiting. These years deepened my desire to enter the ministry, increased my confidence in the gifts God has given me, and made me more aware of my personal weaknesses. Additionally, I am thankful for the pastoral team, friends, and even strangers who came alongside me to confirm, correct, and encourage me as I prepare myself for ministry.

Overseas Theological Studies

I plan to pursue a Master of Divinity (MDiv) in Reformed Theological Seminary Charlotte (RTS-C).

I want to be equipped with a seminary degree that focuses on the skillset to be a pastor. At the same time, I want to be trained to think clearly about issues from a biblical perspective. This requires a seminary that maintains a high academic rigour with a focus on training pastors (not just theologians).

Additionally, I wanted to study in a conservative reformed seminary with reputable faculty members who would be able to help me grow in the faith and prepare me for a lifetime of ministry. RTS-C is one of the few seminaries that meets these criteria.

RTS-C came highly recommend by Rev. Lee Hann Yang and a few others pastors.

Finally, a great draw for me is that RTS-C aims to be winsomely reformed. It means that they aim to hold their theology firmly, compassionately, graciously, kindly, and humbly. I want to be winsomely reformed.

Moving Forward

In August 2023, my family and I will head to Charlotte to start my studies. God-willing, I will complete my studies by May 2026. My desire is to return to Life B-P Church to serve wherever God requires me. I hope to be used for the raising up of a new generation that would be willing to give their lives for the gospel, both locally and abroad. Many opportunities exist for the building up of the saints to do the work of the ministry.

As Rev. Timothy Tow commented during a commissioning service on 2^nd August 1959:

“There is no quickening life to any church that does not produce young people willing to give their lives to serve Him who died for them. The future of our churches and many unborn souls lies in the hearts of young soldiers of the cross today… He is calling you also to give up all to follow the footsteps of His Son. Who'll be the next?

Meantime, we gladly offer our children as a living sacrifice to the Father Almighty, that they will devote themselves to a life of saving lost souls for Christ, that they will study diligently the Word of God to be able to preach it to those who have never heard.” (The Bible-Presbyterian Church of Singapore and Malaysia 1950 – 1971, pg. 21)

His words remain just as true 64 years later, and may they continue to be true for Life B-P church in the generations to come.  

  

* * *

Ordination of a Minister of the Gospel

We thank God that Efendi Ginting was ordained as a minister of the Gospel in a service that was conducted last Thursday at the Radisson Golf & Convention Centre in Batam in the presence of those who were attending our church camp and representatives from the B-P Churches in Batam. Here are the events which led to his ordination:

Efendi Ginting has been serving in Batam as a co-worker of sister Roska Choi since 2002, and as a missionary of Life Bible-Presbyterian Church since 2008. In August 2015, the congregation of Tanjung Piayu B-P Church in Batam met together and decided to initiate the process of his ordination.

In February 2016, a council of five ordained ministers was formed at the request of the Board of Elders of Life Church. The council was tasked to assess and examine Efendi with a view to ordaining him for the ministry. By God’s grace he was able to complete all the requirements that were given by the council at the end of last year. The testimonies of his salvation and of his call to the ministry which he submitted to the council are reproduced below for your edification.

Please pray for Rev Efendi Ginting as he now seeks to fulfill the charge he has received to preach the Word of God in season and out of season, to make full proof of his ministry, to be an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith and in purity, and to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (2 Timothy 4:2-5; 1 Timothy 4:12; Jude 3)

TESTIMONY OF EFENDI GINTING

(Translated from Bahasa Indonesia)

Testimony of Salvation

Praise and thanks to our Lord Jesus who has given me the breath of life, and if I am strong, healthy and able to serve Him now, it is not because of any strength and ingenuity I have, but it is all because of the grace and lovingkindness of the Lord Jesus.

My origins are in Karo Land, which is in the highlands of North Sumatra, at the foot of Mount Sinabung. I was born to a family which did not know the Lord Jesus, because both of my parents at that time believed in spirits which inhabited rocks and large trees. They also trusted in the spirits of deceased ancestors. My parents were obedient and fearful of them, as seen in the offerings they made to them when planting rice or when harvesting their crops. Whenever they were sick they went to shaman and seek healing from him. I still remember their religious practices because I was brought to the shaman whenever I was sick.

When I was 7-8 years old, an evangelist from the Karonese Protestant Church came to stay in my village. This evangelist always gathered the village children together to sing and listen to Bible stories. My elder sister and I were among these children. At that time I did not know whether I became a Christian or not. What I know is that I enjoyed singing and listening to the stories which were told by the evangelist.

As time went on, I worshipped faithfully and participated in all the activities organized by the evangelist. I also faithfully attended church every Sunday. Thirty years ago there was no church building in my village. Thus, we had to worship the Lord in the Karonese Protestant Church in a neighbouring village about 5 kilometers from my village (now my parents’ village no longer exists because it is covered by rocks and soil from the eruption of Mount Sinabung which continues to erupt until now.)

I believe that I was saved not because I myself wanted it, but because the Lord had chosen me unto salvation. It was because of this that I never forgot to attend Church to worship the Lord Jesus and whenever the Christmas season arrived, I would go with the village children to other villages to celebrate His birth, sing carols, act in Christmas dramas and recite verses from the Bible. By the time I was 10 years old I was leading the children’s choir in my village.

As time went on, my elder sister and I became a blessing to our parents. Because they saw how active I was in the children’s programme and in church activities, both of them began to follow us to church and to participate in the fellowship meetings of the church. We then went together to church as a family. When I was in primary 6 and was 11 years of age, my parents, sister and I were baptized. However although I was baptized, I still did not know whether I was saved or not, because no one had taught me about this.

When I was in secondary 3 I was asked to attend a catechism class for reaffirmation of faith. This is usually done by the Karonese Protestant Church because in order to continue my studies I had to leave home as the only senior high school was in the regency city which is in Kabanjahe. Because of this, I had to reaffirm my faith before leaving my parents’ home. When I reaffirmed my faith at the age of 14, I personally received Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. Since that time, I wanted to become a Christian religious teacher or a Pastor. My spiritual life and personal convictions were strong and I always said that Jesus is the only Saviour and there is no salvation in other religions. Therefore all that I have done in relation to my Christian life and faith are not because of me, but only by the grace of the Lord Jesus. Praise the name of the Lord Jesus who has chosen me and saved my soul. Amen.

 

Call to Fulltime Service

I give thanks to the Lord Jesus who has saved me and called me to serve Him as long as I live.

When I was in Senior High School level 3, my desire to become a Christian religious teacher or a Pastor increased. I decided to enroll in a Bible college to fulfill this desire.

When I completed my Senior High School studies in 1991, I received an invitation to study at Salem Theological Seminary in Malang, East Java. However, because my father was sick and poor at that time, I decided to return home in order to help him. But after working as a farmer in the village for one year, our financial situation did not improve. So I decided to leave my parents and go to work elsewhere to earn money.

In 1992 I went to work at Pekan Baru which is about 17 hours’ journey by bus from Medan. I worked in an Oil Palm Plantation Company owned by the government. All the plantation workers there were so busy working for a living that they worked even on Sundays instead of worshiping God. A building was provided for them but all employees of the plantation never go to church to worship God. I felt sorry for the children in that place, and so I requested permission from the plantation manager to use that building to run a children’s Sunday School. Every Sunday I taught the children through songs and Bible stories. However, I did not continue doing this for very long, as I did not stay long to work at the oil palm plantation.

In 1993 I moved to Medan to sell fruits and vegetables with my uncle. My uncle was a devout Muslim who always loved to debate with me on religion. He tried to persuade me to forsake Christ and become a Muslim and he promised to help and support me if I were to do this. Praise the Lord, I did not yield to temptation but became even more fervent in worshipping the Lord Jesus in Church.

One day after my uncle debated with me about Christianity versus Islam, my heart had no peace to continue staying with him. So I decided to leave him and go to Jakarta. I moved to Jakarta in 1994 and stayed with the family of my father’s older brother there. I joined in their family business just to earn enough for my living. After spending a few years in Jakarta, I was reminded again of the Call which I had received to serve the Lord. I contacted my father’s younger brother (he is a lecturer in Malang State University) in Malang, and told him that I wanted to study theology there. They welcomed me to come to Malang in East Java.

In 1996, five years after I had completed Senior High School, I enrolled at the Salem Theological Seminary which is under the Eleos Presbyterian Church in Malang. I stayed in the seminary’s dorm for five years where I faced new challenges. Many problems emerged, as I did not have money to pay the school fees and for board and lodging because my parents were poor. I prayed without ceasing that the Lord would provide a sponsor to finance my theological studies. Because of the lack of finances, I oftentimes thought of leaving the seminary as some of my classmates had already done.

But as a result of prayer and faith in the Lord Jesus, the Hok Im Tong Evangelical Church of Bandung became my sponsor in my second year of studies, and they sponsored me from 1997 to 2000. (Hok Im Tong is a brother of Rev Stephen Tong) Praise the name of the Lord Jesus!

Call to Serve in the Bible-Presbyterian Church in Batam

I espoused Reformed theology as a result of studying at Salem Theological Seminary in Malang for five years, and of being sponsored by a Reformed church.

After I completed my theological studies I graduated with a Bachelor of Theology. Sister Roska Sihombing who was present to witness my graduation, asked me to help her in the church she was leading (The Bible-Presbyterian Church in Batam). But at that time my heart was heavy to go to Batam because I wanted to enroll in the Master of Divinity programme at Bandung Theological Seminary (This seminary is under the Hok Im Tong Evangelical Church of Bandung) and a Charismatic foundation was willing to support me. When sister Roska heard that a Charismatic foundation would support me, she said, “Why are you not trusting Jesus who is honoured by Protestants to help you?” I reflected on those words in my heart.

Two months after my graduation, while I was still doing various things in Malang, Ibu Roska urged me to come to Batam but I was still half-hearted about it. One day Ibu Roska Sihombing booked a ticket for me to fly to Batam, and I decided to leave and to serve with her in Batam.

I began to serve in Batam with sister Roska Sihombing on 16 August 2002. As time went on, a problem developed in the Bible-Presbyterian Church in Batam. Her co-workers rebelled against her and I was the only one who refused to be influenced by them. This was not because I wanted to be a hero or to seek for personal advancement, but because I had learned from my Reformed teachers that it is not God’s will to go against the leadership, as they are appointed by Him. Thus only sister Roska and I remained in the Bible-Presbyterian Church in Batam while the rest of the co-workers who had been with her when she started the ministry have gone elsewhere.

All this did not happen by chance, but according to God’s plan for His church. Even though I have persevered until now in the Bible-Presbyterian Church in Batam, it is not my doing but the Lord’s, who gave me a steadfast heart to serve Him here. And I also believe that the Lord has been working with me to shepherd His flock in the Bible-Presbyterian Church in Batam. Having been strengthened to endure and face the problems which happened in the church before, I believe that with Jesus I will be able to minister in the Bible-Presbyterian Church in Batam in the future. May the Lord Jesus be glorified. Amen.

Efendi Ginting, September 2015

 

Appointments for the Week

Tuesday, Jun 20

        8.00 pm     Prayer Meeting (Dn Joshua Chia)

Thursday, Jun 22

      10.00 am     Ladies’ Prayer Group

Saturday, Jun 24

        2.30 pm     Ladies’ Tea Fellowship

        3.00 pm     LTF / YAF

Sunday, Jun 25

        8.00 am     The Price of Pride Acts 12:20-23 (Eld Roger Lim)

        8.00 am     Choir Practice

        9.15 am     Library (Sanctuary Balcony)

  9.40 am Sunday School

10.15 am Coffee Corner

11.00 am The Price of Pride Acts 12:20-23 (Eld Roger Lim)

11.00 am Children’s Ministry

11.00 am Chinese Service

11.00 am Filipina Service (Rm 1-6)

12.15 pm Library (Sanctuary Balcony)

  2.30 pm Thai Service (LMH)

  4.00 pm Indonesian Service (Rm 1-6)

 

Announcements

Church Camp 2023

For those who have attended the camp, you are welcome to submit and share your testimonies to glorify God and to edify others.

Kindly submit them to Dn Wang CK by 25 June 2023.

 

Catechism Class for Anniversary Baptism on 15 October 2023 will commence on 9 July 2023.

Please pre-register by emailing to Church Office. Those seeking baptism, reaffirmation of faith and transfer of membership must attend the catechism class.

Closing date: 2 July 2023.

 

Door to Door Evangelism

18 Jun 2023 (Today)

Meet in Beulah Room 2-11, 12.30 pm Contact: Desmond or Amos 

 

ERBL Evening Lectures July-November 2023

1)       Old Testament Poetic Books by Rev Charles Seet (Monday @ 7.30 pm)

2)       The Theology of Prayer by Pastor Tan Soon Yong (Thursday @ 7.30 pm)

It will be conducted on-site at No. 10 Gilstead Road. It is compulsory for all Credit Students to attend lectures on-site and Audit Students can either attend lectures via Zoom platform or on-site. Interested parties can register for the courses online at https://lifebpc.com/erbl/index.php/registration-tt   

 

Gospel Sunday

30 July 2023 “God has a message for you” by Pastor Wei En Yi.

 

Traffic Wardens

Lifers are invited to serve our Lord as Traffic Wardens on Sunday. Kindly contact Bro Yeo HS if you are available.

 

Emmanuel Reformed Bible College is offering the following courses from July-November 2023 at No. 1 Tao Ching Road.

1) Introduction to the New Testament by Rev Ho Chee Lai (Monday @ 10 am)

2) Anthropology & Soteriology by Rev Isaac Ong (Tuesday @ 10 am)

3) Marriage & Family Counselling by Rev Gabriel Gan (Wednesday @ 10 am)

4) The Book of Romans by Rev Ho Chee Lai (Wednesday @ 1.30 pm)

5) Homiletic by Rev Isaac Ong    (Thursday @ 10 am)

6) Principles and Method of Teaching by Ms June Tan (Friday @ 10 am)

7) The Intertestamental Period by Ms June Tan (Friday @ 1.30 pm)

For registration and details of the courses, please refer to our website: www.erbc.sg.

 

 Exploring Christianity

What is the meaning of life? Why am I here? If there is a good and powerful God, why do we have global pandemics and unrest in this world?  The answers to these questions can be found in the Bible, which is God's word to man.

Exploring Christianity is a course that looks at how the Bible addresses these pertinent questions about life. It is a 5-part series and is suitable for (1) Non-Christians seeking God and (2) Christians who would like to learn how to evangelise.

The first session will be held on a Saturday, 22 July 2023, from 3-6.30pm at Beulah Centre, Room 2-1. Dinner will be provided. Kindly note that the other 3 sessions will be held on Sunday mornings. All Lifers are encouraged to bring their non-Christian friends and family members to this introductory course on the Christian faith. 

Register at  https://tinyurl.com/ECJul2023

 

LTF 36^th Anniversary

(1 July 2023, 3-6pm @ Beulah MPH) Dinner will be provided