PASTORAL CHAT
Magnifying God’s Word
We began our Study of the Book of Revelation in the English Worship Service by
considering how John lived “for the Word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev.
1:9). His devotion to this motto led him to a life of exile on the isle of Patmos where he had to
till a land that was infamously infertile. Nevertheless, God continued to use John to pen the
Book of Revelation. His testimony for Christ and his stand for the faith shone brightly despite
being in exile and was to the encouragement of all the saints.
John’s example in magnifying God’s Word may lead us to ask, how then may I magnify
God’s Word in my life? Here are two examples among us that have gladdened my heart.
Firstly, there is a lady who was involved in a committee to design a class T-shirt. However,
the leaders of the committee wanted a design that involved a Zodiac sign. This lady, together
with some other Christian friends, determined in their hearts that they should take a stand and
explain why they could not be involved in such a design. She asked the Pastor to pray that the
Lord may give her courage and wisdom in handling this matter. Her zeal for the truth would
not allow her to compromise the faith, and thereby God’s Word is magnified in her testimony.
Secondly, we have a brother who had been searching for a job for some time. Recently, the
brother had the opportunity to attend a job interview. However, upon learning that the job
involves working on the Lord’s Day, he declined the job, trusting that the Lord will provide
another way. Once again, we saw how the faith shines in our brother’s testimony. We pray
that the Lord may show the way for him soon.
To magnify the Word of God does not mean that every one of us must write a dissertation
defending the faith. When we obey God’s Word because we love Christ, the Lord will use us
to magnify His Word and glorify His name. May the good testimony of our dear brother and
sister encourage us to do likewise in our daily walk with God.
God Answers Prayer
We have seen earlier in previous pastoral chats how congregational singing is a vital element
in corporate worship. Alas, when we first gathered for worship after the circuit breaker, there
were restrictions that forbade singing during the worship services. Subsequently, only five
singers could be unmasked for singing during worship services. While better than the initial
arrangement, it was still no different from the pre-reformation period, where only appointed
singers were permitted to sing on behalf of the congregation. The Reformers fought hard for
congregational singing (see article written by Sister Joycelyn Chng published in earlier
weekly), and thus it was a blow to the church that the saints were not able to have the full
expression of worship in our services unto the Lord.
Many of us prayed for the restoration of congregational singing, myself included. However, I
did not expect the restoration to be any time soon. Therefore, when one sister mentioned after
a prayer meeting that perhaps the authorities will allow us to sing with our masks on shortly, I
expressed my doubt that it will occur so soon. Lo and behold, the authorities announced the
next day that congregational singing will be permitted from 5th April 2021 (i.e. just after
Resurrection Sunday). I am a man of little faith! God has answered our prayers and granted
the desire of the hearts of the saints.
Now that we are allowed to sing uninhibitedly (albeit with our masks worn), let us not slight
this opportunity, but to sing with grace from our hearts unto the Lord (Col. 3:16). “I will sing
unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.” (Ps.
104:33)
God Seeketh Worshippers
“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in
spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they
that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24)
These verses declare a grand truth – that God is actively and diligently seeking worship from
the sons of men (v.3).
Let us make the following observations. Firstly, it is God who demands and desires worship
from the sons of men. He is the one living and true God, our Creator, our Redeemer and
Sovereign of the world. Thus, he is worthy of all worship and has every right to demand it from
the sons of men. Indeed, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and
wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in
heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in
them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth
upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” (Rev. 5:12-13)
Secondly, this passage teaches us that it is the duty and privilege of man to worship God. Man,
having been created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27), was originally intended to worship
God. Thus, it is expected that man should render all laud and honour to the glorious name of the
Creator.
Alas, what amazes us is that God must seek for true worshippers among the sons of man.
Indeed, with the fall of man from his estate, no man can render true and acceptable worship unto
the Lord. Man in their spiritual blindness and sinful rebellion will never aspire to worship God.
Thus, the Lord must reach out to men by the operation of His Spirit to repent of their sin and
receive Christ as their Saviour. Only then are they able to render acceptable worship unto the
Lord.
The fact that God is seeking for “true” worship reveals the prevalence of false worship. The
only way we may know what exactly is “true” worship is by seeking the truth. What then is
truth? The Word of God is truth (John 17:17). Thus, the Westminster Confession of Faith issues
the following statement – “The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for His
own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good
and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is
to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men. Nevertheless, we
acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving under-
standing of such things as are revealed in the word; and that there are some circumstances con-
cerning the worship of God, and government of the Church, common to human actions and so-
cieties, which are to be ordered by the light of nature, and Christian prudence, according to the
general rules of the word, which are always to be observed.” (WCF 1.6)
The confusion concerning the corporate worship of God is caused by a gross neglect of God’s
Word. When the church forgets that the Bible is her sole and supreme authority of faith and
practice, false practices will infiltrate the church. Therefore, if we are serious in rendering true
worship unto the Lord, we must study the Word of God, and understand what God demands of
worship. Only then can we begin to fulfil what God demands of us in these two grand verses.
Dear reader, what is the worship of the Lord to you?
Yours affectionately,
Pastor Clement Chew