Dear BPCWA worshipper, The availability of online sermons and learning resources continues to proliferate in numbers and extent, not just in our church, but worldwide. We certainly give thanks to God for our online ministry, which has benefited our worshippers in many ways. When I am ill or away, the availability of recordings also enables us to continue with the exhortations from God’s Word. With online recordings being so readily and easily accessible, we must be aware of how to use them correctly.

When online messages are useful. Prior to COVID-19, it was uncommon for churches to have livestreaming or video recordings. Christians who did not attend a church would have to depend on audio messages without being able to see the speaker. Today, with the availability of YouTube livestreaming and the economic availability of recording equipment, one can almost be “transported” to most churches around the world while remaining physically at home. For those who are bedbound and unable to move independently, these means are a wonderful avenue that God has provided for them to continue to grow spiritually in tandem with their church, though they lacked the means to attend in person. Worshippers who are sick and unable to travel to church, whether due to a serious malady or fear of infecting others, also use these online messages. Then there are also Christians who stay or travel to areas where there are no sound churches. These can continue to obey the fourth commandment by worshipping God and listening to faithful preaching through online links provided by their own church. For this reason, we also counsel our worshippers to use our online resources to continue learning from the meetings that they were unable to attend. The benefits extend beyond worship services. For example, many parents watch the Y180 sermons, which are conducted concurrently with DHW in Regen. Our online resources also help worshippers keep their minds on God as they go about their day and to revise previously taught topics. They are also particularly useful for heads of homes preparing for their family worship.

What online messages must not substitute. As with anything, even a good resource must be used for what it is intended for. 1) Must not substitute the participation in a sound local church where you reside. We have had visitors who “belong” to an online church thousands of miles away in another land (which is not a physical church) and are taught, counselled, and shepherded by the “pastor” of that online church. While this may have seemed quite ludicrous to Christians decades ago, it is a sad reality today. They may occasionally pop by to worship at a physical church like ours, but their priority nonetheless is the online church meeting (even if it is conducted at odd hours due to the time difference). God’s design is for biblically qualified pastors and elders to be present in person in each church so they can care for God’s sheep where they physically are. Hence, the Apostle Paul left Titus in Crete to “set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city” (Tit 1:5), though Paul could have simply continued to take care of the church through letters and messengers. Capable as Paul was, he followed God’s model to have local elders in the church. The God of order sets a pattern of mutual accountability between the church’s leaders and her worshippers, whereby members submit themselves to the oversight of the elders elected to the BOE, who in turn are accountable for the spiritual wellbeing of the members. 2) Must not substitute attending a meeting or activity in church when you can do so. We are imperfect and are subject to the temptations of the lusts that continue to exist within us. Some of you may have been tempted with thoughts like, “It is so much cosier to stay at home than to endure the cold and go to church”, or “Why take leave to attend that event since the videos will eventually be made available online?” Simply put, it is much easier for our flesh to snuggle up at home or save our leave, soothing our consciences by assuring ourselves, “I’ll watch it later”. If given a choice and others won’t bother you, would you gladly fulfil the flesh’s laziness by staying home? And having done so, do you eventually watch the online messages 10 out of 10 times? The question is, what did you do with that time at home? Even if we did eventually watch it, did we give God’s Word the same level of concentration and absorption at home as we would have had in church? Chances are, there will be far too many distractions in our lives and homes, and we have far too little discipline to be consistent and committed. Think – would God choose to bless you with spiritual growth if you would rather be lazy or prioritise your own things instead of being present to learn in person, because you are not interested? Learning about God and His Word is not like attending a lecture in school. Schools may not care about your attitude towards learning as long as they get your tuition fees. God cares about our attitude towards learning His Truths. But most importantly, it is not just about you. God intends His people to be part of the church. That is why God says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb 10:25). In fact, the word “synagogue” is a compound of 2 words meaning “with” and “to go”. Reflecting what it is supposed to be, “synagogue” means “an assembling together of people”. The children of Israel did not treasure their physical gatherings in the land till they lost it. We experienced a little of that during the COVID-19 period. Let us treasure the privilege to be in the presence of the Living God among His people when they gather around His Word in person as He commanded.

“<<A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.>> O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.” (Psa 63:1-2)

Yours in our Lord’s service,
Pastor