Children Exhortation - 2010

“Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD” Jeremiah 8:7

The “stork” is like the crane, but larger in size. They are large birds with long legs, toes webbed at the base, and a strong, straight, pointed bill longer than the head. Two species of the storks are found in Israel. One of the species is white in colour and it is found in pairs over the whole country. The other which is black in colour lives in large flocks, in marshy places. They migrate to Israel periodically (about the 22nd of March). Psalm 104:17 refers to their nest making habits: “Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.”

Jeremiah alludes to these migratory habits of the stork. He also mentions the migratory habits of other birds, such as the crane and swallow. At the appointed time, they return. They normally return at the same time every year to make their nests. They return and re-occupy their old nests. Even migratory birds observe the time of their migration, but the Lord says that His people ignore the time when they are expected to return to their God. The people manifest even less wisdom than a bird!

The migratory birds sense God’s timing by noticing the change in climate. How about you, children? Do you observe the Lord’s clear indications to you and return to Him? When the evening comes, do you get back home to pray and eat with the family? Do you return to do your homework? Do you keep the appointed times of worship and fellowship? Remember, you are expected to behave better than birds. So, children, be obedient to the Lord. Return to your God-given responsibilities and duties, lest the Lord condemns you.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:17

Many Protestant churches commemorate the 16th-Century Reformation on the last Sunday of the month of October. The word “reformation” literally means to form again. During the 16th century, the people of God were deprived of God’s Word, and many of them were not assured of their salvation because of the wrong teachings of the Roman Catholic church. The Protestant Reformation moved to change all that.

As we commemorate Reformation Sunday today, we will be considering how the Reformation began, and what it has given us. Let us learn the roots of our rich Protestant heritage, and be thankful to the LORD for it!

The Protestant Reformation began with Martin Luther in Germany. On 31st October 1517, Luther nailed his nine-five theses (statements) on the castle door of Wittenberg Church to challenge certain practices of the Roman Catholic church. At that time, the pope, who was the leader of the Roman Catholic church, wanted to reconstruct St Peter’s Basilica. In order to renovate this huge building, a lot of money was needed. Therefore, to raise fund for this ambitious project, he promoted the sale of indulgences. Indulgences are tickets issued by the Roman Catholic church for the forgiveness of sins.

Luther protested against the sale of indulgences. He knew that only God can forgive sins, not the church! He was convinced that this (sale of indulgences) was against the Word of God. The salvation of a soul is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone! The Bible says, “The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17). This protest of Luther sparked off a chain of reactions throughout Europe which later became known as the Reformation.

Before the Reformation, the Word of God was kept from the people by the Roman Catholic church. The people of God were not allowed to read the Bible and had to rely on the priests to teach them spiritual truths. But many of their teachings were not biblical! An example would be the teaching on salvation. Roman Catholics teach that salvation is by works, not by faith. The people of God could not be assured of their faith and lived in constant fear of losing their salvation. They were walking in darkness without light from God’s truth.

The Reformation brought again the correct doctrine of salvation to the people of God. It also gave us the Word of God in our own languages. Luther translated the Bible into the German language while William Tyndale translated it into English.

The King James Bible which you hold in your hands comes as a result of Tyndale’s translation. We would not have had a Bible in our own language without the Reformation. Are you thankful to the Lord for the 16th-Century Protestant Reformation? You should be!

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10

Dear children, we have learned about two different crowns which are given as rewards for serving the Lord Jesus Christ. They are the Incorruptible Crown and the Crown of Rejoicing. The former is for those who have run the Christian race faithfully to the end while the latter is for those who have faithfully borne witness for Christ.

For this devotion, we will learn about the Crown of Righteousness which is mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:8: “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” This crown is given to those who love the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The return of the Lord Jesus will be preceded by an event known as “The Rapture”. The Lord Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout from the archangel, and the dead in Christ shall rise and meet Him in the air. After that, those who are still alive shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord, and be with Him for ever (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

One day, every believer of the Lord Jesus Christ will meet Him in the air. This meeting will happen in the blink of an eye. When all the believers are with the Lord, there will be a period of great tribulation on the earth. The people who remain on earth will suffer many difficulties, and face the judgment of God.

After the seven years of tribulation on earth, the Lord Jesus Christ together with all those who have believed on Him will rule the earth for a thousand years. This period is known as “The Millennium”. During this period, there will be peace. There will be no war, no fighting among the people on earth because the Prince of Peace is the Ruler!

The Apostle Paul testified that he would receive the Crown of Righteousness from the Lord Jesus Christ when He returns. He would meet Him in the air and would receive his reward for patiently waiting for His return. Paul’s love for the Lord’s return was proven by what he had done for Christ. He had fought a good fight, finished his course and kept the faith (cf. 2 Timothy 4:7). In other words, he had obeyed God, and fulfilled the duty that the Lord Jesus Christ had given him.

Children, where will you be when the archangel shouts? Will you be with the Lord Jesus Christ or remain on the earth? Will you be one of the saved or one of the unbelievers left behind?

You must live your life following the example of Paul. You must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and prove your love for Him by obeying His words, and patiently wait for His return. Only then will you be rewarded with the Crown of Righteousness.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10

Dear children, we learned last week that the reward for serving Christ can come in the form of a crown. The Bible speaks of five such crowns, and we have studied the Incorruptible Crown which is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 9:25. This crown is given to those who have run the Christian race faithfully till the end. In other words, they have lived a submissive life to the Word of God.

For this devotion, we will learn about the Crown of Rejoicing which is mentioned 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.” This crown is given to those who faithfully bear witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. The believers in Thessalonica were Paul’s hope for a future reward. They were a proof of his faithfulness in bearing witness for the Lord Jesus Christ, and he would receive from Jesus the Crown of Rejoicing in heaven.

The Apostle Paul passed by the city of Thessalonica during his second missionary journey. In the city was a synagogue of the Jews, and Paul went there to bear witness for Jesus. He reasoned with the Jews that the Christ of the Scriptures is the Jesus he preached. Though not all the Jews believed Paul’s testimony of Jesus, some did! Many of the Greeks there also believed that Jesus is the Christ.

Those believing Jews and the Greeks began to associate themselves with Paul and his companion, Silas. As they met
regularly with Paul to learn more about Jesus, a church was formed in Thessalonica. Later on, Paul could say to them, “Ye are our glory and joy” because he and Silas bore witness to them, and led them to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Bearing witness for the Lord Jesus Christ is a desire to tell others about Him and this is not bound by age. Whether you are a child, teenager, youth or an adult, you can bear witness for Jesus. There are plenty of opportunities to bear witness for Him in your life.

Paul and Silas bore witness for the Lord Jesus Christ not only to the Thessalonians but to many others as well! They testified for the Lord everywhere they went and this they did all the days of their lives. They wanted everyone they met to know about Jesus. This is faithful witnessing, and they will receive the Crown of Rejoicing for it.

As a Christian, have you been witnessing for the Lord? If you have not, you will not receive the Crown of Rejoicing.

Every born-again Christian should have the desire to tell others about the Lord Jesus Christ, whether in word or in deed. Wherever you go, tell the people you meet about Jesus. You can also give them gospel tracts, or invite them to church that they may hear the Gospel and be saved. This is faithful witnessing, and it is a commitment to the Lord for life. May God help us to bear witness for Him faithfully, and receive the Crown of Rejoicing. Amen!

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10

Dear children, we learned last week that those who serve the Lord Jesus Christ faithfully will be rewarded. This truth is affirmed by the abovementioned verse. There is a time when every Christian has to come before the Lord Jesus Christ to receive his or her reward for the things done for Him.

The Bible mentions five different crowns as reward. Each represents a specific area of service rendered to Christ. Let us learn what they are, and how we can receive them. For this devotion, we will begin with the Incorruptible Crown.

In ancient Greece, there were the Pan-Hellenic Games. These Games were held in a four-year cycle known as the Olympiad. The Olympiad consisted of four separate sports events: the Olympic Games, Pythian Games, Nemean Games and Isthmian Games. The winner of every event will receive a wreath which is like a crown to be placed on his head as a form of recognition.

The Corinthians must have been very familiar with the games. They knew the method of training and what the rules were, for example, every participant of the games must be a Greek citizen, and those competing in the running race must run the entire race. Only one person will emerge as the winner!

These athletes went through a strict training programme. They ran under the sun or in the rain daily. They went through hardships to obtain the prize of a crown made of pine. This crown however is corruptible because after some time the pine leaves will wither.

The Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Corinthians used the Isthmian Games as an analogy of the Christian life. He exhorted the Corinthians to strive towards obtaining an incorruptible crown. “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).

The Christian life is a race! You need to be born again in order to participate in this race. You must believe in Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour to enter it. Rather than competing with others, the Christian is competing against
himself. He has to deny self and take up his cross daily (Luke 9:23). In every aspect of life, he has to follow the Word of God and not his own desires. Everyone who has completed the race is a victor and will receive the incorruptible crown – a crown that will never decay, but will last forever!

This Incorruptible Crown is given to those who run the heavenly race by faithfully following the Lord Jesus according to His Word. May the Lord help us to obtain this crown for His own glory. Amen!

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. John 12:26

Dear children, we learned last week about how a child can serve God. Jesus says, “If any man serve me, let him follow me”. This is the requirement set by Christ for those who serve Him. They are to obey His commandments. Everyone who serves Christ in obedience to His Word will be rewarded by God.

Today, we will meditate on the above-mentioned verse to learn about the outcome of serving Christ. There is a reward for serving Christ. This truth is affirmed by Christ Himself who said, “him will my Father honour.” This is a promise!

Jesus says, “and where I am, there shall also my servant be.” Do you know where Jesus is now? He is in heaven. Heaven is a beautiful city that Jesus has prepared for all His servants. In heaven, there is no need for the sun or electricity to light up the city; the very glory of God brightens it! The streets, which look like transparent glass, are made of pure gold. Everyone who serves Christ according to His Word will be walking on these streets.

Furthermore, Jesus promises to personally bring His servants to the beautiful city of heaven. He says, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). Is this not a comforting thought and promise to all those who are serving Christ? To be with Christ in heaven is both a reward and a promise.

Jesus continues to say, “If any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” God honours everyone who serves the Lord Jesus Christ faithfully by rewarding him with crowns. The Bible speaks of five crowns, and these will be given out in heaven. Each crown represents the specific area of service rendered to Christ, and you can receive all five of
them, God willing. We will study the five different crowns in next week’s devotion.

Are you excited about serving Christ now? You should! You must serve Christ in appreciation of all the things that He has done for you. He suffered for you, and saved you from your sins, thus reconciling you to God. If you serve Him faithfully, He promises to bring you to the beautiful place that He has prepared for you, and you will be rewarded for serving Him. Having learnt these truths about Christ, let us serve Him joyfully.

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. John 12:26

Dear children, do you have the desire to serve the Lord Jesus Christ? Every Christian child should! The above-mentioned verse teaches the biblical principle of how to serve the Lord. Perhaps you are thinking, “How can I serve God as a child?”

The Bible does tell us about children who served the Lord, for example, the boy Samuel who ministered to the Lord in the temple (cf. 1 Samuel 3:1), and the little maid who waited on Naaman’s wife in Syria (cf. 2 Kings 5:2-3). The similarity of their service to God was their obedience to God’s will. Let us follow their examples, and learn to serve God together!

Young Samuel obeyed God’s will. He revealed to Eli everything the LORD said about him. Because of Samuel’s obedience to His commandments, the LORD was with him and established him as His prophet. Likewise, the little maid of Naaman obeyed God’s will by telling her mistress about the living and true God of Israel, and what the LORD could do for Naaman. The Bible tells us that Naaman was healed of his leprosy, and was also saved because of the little maid.

Obedience to God’s will is the key to serving God. This is the biblical principle!

Jesus says, “If any man serve me, let him follow me.” In other words, when we do something for the Lord, it must be done according to His will. Serving God is following Christ’s example and keeping His commandments.

The Lord Jesus has set for us the perfect example of obedience when He came down to earth to do the Father’s will (cf. John 6:38). He carried out the Father’s will obediently. Everything that Jesus did was according to the Scriptures. Therefore, when we serve Christ, we must follow His example, and do things according to the Bible.

To serve God in church, you can join the children’s choir. Singing to the Lord is obedience to God’s will. The Bible commands us to praise the Lord’s name from the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same (Psalm 113:3).

Another way to serve God is to tell of His marvellous works to others. If you are a Christian child, you should tell others about how the Lord saved you from your sins. You are also serving God when you testify for Him outside the
church like what the little maid of Naaman’s wife did when she was in Syria.

Will you obediently serve the Lord who has wonderfully saved you by joining the children’s choir and telling others about Him?

And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. John 12:23-25

Dear children, we have been studying from the gospel of John for Junior Worship devotions since last year. In this gospel, we read of a specific time period which Jesus calls “mine hour” (cf. John 2:4), and this “hour” is said to have come in the abovementioned passage. What exactly does “the hour” refer to? How does it affect us? We will answer these questions in our study today.

This “hour” refers specifically to the time of Jesus’ death on the cross. He came to suffer the pain of crucifixion, and to die for the sins of the world. He teaches about His death by using an agriculture illustration: “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit” (John 12:24). In other words, if a seed continues being a seed and does not germinate in the ground, it will not grow into a tree and bear fruit. Likewise, if Jesus did not come to die and rise from the dead, there will be no salvation for mankind.

As Jesus went through “the hour”, He suffered tremendous physical pain and shame. He was made to walk through Jerusalem, carrying the wooden cross for His crucifixion. Nails were driven through His hands and feet into the wooden cross, and it was lifted up for people to see. To be crucified is a painful and humiliating way to die. This method of execution is the cruellest in the history of mankind. In the mindset of men, suffering and death are never glorious, not to mention death by crucifixion. But Jesus gladly went through it for you and me. The Bible says that He “became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8).

Jesus went through “the hour” because of His great love for us. He died for us that we may have life in Him! The blood which He shed on the cross of Calvary washes away our sins. His resurrection assures us of the glorious hope that we have in Him as our Lord and Saviour.

Children, as you have learned the truth about Jesus’ hour, the time has come for you to examine yourselves. Do you love Jesus just as He loves you? If yes, you should show your love for Him by being submissive to your parents, and sharing your precious toys and treasured books with your siblings.

You must tell yourself, “I cannot be a selfish person anymore! I will spend more time reading my Bible and talking to Jesus (praying) rather than watching TV and playing with my PSP (PlayStation Portable). I must live a life worthy of the pain and suffering that Jesus bore for me, and give Him a daily 'hour' of my life from now on!”

The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. John 12:17-18

Last week, we were encouraged by the testimony of Lazarus. He sat with Jesus to learn from Him, and told others about what the Lord Jesus had done for him. We learned from his life that we should be a diligent student of God’s Word, and we should tell others about what the Lord Jesus has done for us so that they may know, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

Many of you have grown up in Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church, and through the years have witnessed many miraculous things that only the living and true God can do. But have you testified for the Lord Jesus?

For example, the building project in Ethiopia was a miracle! How could a small congregation like ours managed to raise so much money to purchase such a big piece of land? This is definitely the work of God; He moved our hearts to give willingly towards this project.

Furthermore, the Lord helped us to acquire the permission which was needed to build the Bible college and church building. The land was originally meant for commercial use. In other words, it was supposed to be a shopping centre or offices. But the Lord is good; He moved the hearts of those in authority to allow the change of use of the land for us to do His work. If not, we would have bought the land in vain.

This help from the Lord caused our brethren in Ethiopia to be very thankful to Him. They testified for Him, and their testimony was published in our church bulletin on the 1st of August 2010.

The disciples of Jesus Christ also bare record of what they had done for Him although they did not realise that the things they were doing was the fulfilment of the Scriptures. Two of Jesus’ disciples were sent ahead by Him to bring an ass and a colt to Him that He could enter Jerusalem sitting on a colt (cf. Matthew 21:1-2). When Jesus was come to Jerusalem, many people welcomed Him. Some took branches from palm trees, and laid them on the ground (like the red carpet that welcomes distinguished guest today); others lifted up their voices and shouted, “Hosanna”.

In the same way, there are many things which we are doing now that can be a testimony for Christ. For example, singing in the children’s choir. You may find it difficult or even boring at times. But singing to the Lord, and singing for the Lord is one way you can testify for Him. Dear children, how will you testify for Christ?

Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. John 12:9-11

Dear children, we have been studying for the past three weeks about doing something for Jesus. One way of doing something for Jesus is to bear a good testimony for Him in your life. Let us learn from Lazarus, and testify for Jesus in our life.

According to the context of the above-mentioned passage, Lazarus became very sick, and he subsequently died. Four days after his death, Jesus came to Bethany, and called him out of the tomb! He literally walked out of his tomb still covered with the grave clothes. Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead!

The news of this miracle (raising of the dead) travelled quickly, and in a short period of time, many people throughout the land of Israel came to know about it. When they knew that Jesus was in Bethany, they wanted to see Lazarus for themselves, and also Jesus.

At that time, Jesus was a guest in the house of Simon the leper, and Lazarus was there too. The Bible tells us that “Lazarus was one of them who sat at the table with [Jesus]” (John 12:2). Sitting together with Jesus implied that they were listening to what Jesus was saying. They were excited to learn more about the kingdom of God from Jesus, and how they could be part of God’s kingdom. The love for God’s Word is a testimony in itself.

The Bible tells us: “That by reason of [Lazarus] many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus” (John 12:11). Lazarus must have spoken to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. This was his testimony, and his life was a concrete proof of it. Remember, he was raised from the dead by Jesus, and this truth was witnessed by many people (cf. John 12:38-44).

Is your life a testimony for Jesus? It should! Like Lazarus, we have to be good students. We must sit before the Lord Jesus, and learn from Him. In order to do this, we must spend time reading the Bible, and also to pray. The love to study God’s Word can be a testimony in itself. People will be curious to know why you like to study the Bible, and if they ask you, you can take the opportunity to tell them about what Jesus has done for you.

Furthermore, you must tell them that Jesus is the Christ, the Saviour of the world. This is Lazarus’ testimony for Jesus, and it should be yours as well. Will you follow Lazarus’ example, and testify for Jesus?