ANNIVERSARY MESSAGE - HOLDING FORTH THE WORD OF LIFE (PHILLIPPIANS 2:16)

Dear Members in Christ,

Anniversary message - Holding forth the Word of life (Phillippians 2:16)

We all rejoice today, for we celebrate the 40^th Anniversary of our beloved Calvary Jaya Bible-Presbyterian Fellowship. Forty years ago, by the providential hand of God, this Church was raised as a shining beacon of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. On this day, in the midst of our celebration and rejoicing, we remember the Word of God which exhorts us to be faithful to His precious Word. We read the passage Philippians 2:16, 

“Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” Philippians 2:16

It is good that we remember God’s faithfulness to His people. God’s grace is seen in raising this Church and God’s wisdom is seen in the way she has been sustained and finally, God’s faithfulness is seen in this Church being preserved all these years.

As God’s people, this is a grand occasion for us all. We celebrate this occasion to remember God’s goodness and faithfulness. We have printed souvenir mugs and other momentos to commemorate this occasion. We have held a celebratory lunch and invited friends and loved ones to rejoice with us. But more importantly, as we reflect on God’s goodness towards us, we must also think about how we ought to return our love and gratitude to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

In the Bible passage cited above, the Word of God exhorts us to hold forth the word of life. Who is the “word of life”? And what does it mean to “hold forth” the word? The answer is found within the Scriptures.

A. Our duty to our Lord Jesus Christ to hold forth the Word of life.

The Apostle John in writing his epistle use this phrase in 1 John 1:1 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;” This corroborates the passage in the Gospel of John in which he wrote,

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” John 1:1,2

This passage is often cited as proof of the Lord Jesus Christ’s deity. The Word (logos in Greek) in this phrase refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. This passage shows that Christ is “the Divine Expression” which means that Christ is truly God in human form.

When we hold forth the “Word of Life” we are declaring the Lord Jesus Christ to the world. It is declaring the whole counsel of God. It is telling forth the complete account of the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus’ humble birth and His ministry speaks of His humanity. The entire body of miracles of the Lord Jesus shows forth His Deity. The Gospel of the kingdom that the Lord Jesus preached are Words of life. The crucifixion of Lord Jesus and His resurrection teach us of His sacrifice for our atonement.

The Lord Jesus as the Word of life brings life to those who put their faith in Him for the forgiveness of sins and to lay hold of the free gift of eternal life.

B. The Word of God and Christ the living Word in our lives

The Word of life is to be seen in our lives and conduct. As we enter into our 40^th year as a Church, we should as individual members examine our lives closely. Does our life show forth the form of doctrine consistent with one who is a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ? For this, we refer to the exhortation which Paul gives to the Philippian Christians, which reads, 

“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:15

The Apostle Paul exhorts the Christians in Philippi to live a testimony that is described as a shining light in this crooked and perverse world. A life and testimony that is brilliant for the glory of God is a sign of a mature Christian. And we may add, that collectively, mature Christians make up a church that is spiritually mature.

Brothers and Sisters, in our rejoicing and celebration for our 40^th anniversary, let us examine ourselves. Are we mature in our faith? Is our conduct consistent with one whose faith is in the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ? We ought to be as a 40 year-old church! Our lives should show forth the fruit of the Spirit. Our lives should declare our love for the Lord, in Christlikeness, in charity towards others and in devoted service to the Lord Jesus Christ. May His name be praised. Amen.

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor