Dear BPCWA worshipper, Having covered the past 6 messages of the camp, I will be covering sermon 7 today.

The cautions to God’s house. Timothy had “professed a good profession” of faith (1Ti 6:12), but Paul charged him to pursue a higher standard. He had to bear witness like Christ Jesus (1Ti 6:13) so that the church would learn from him and do likewise. This is also what we must do today, to protect BPCWA. Because it is the church of the living God, we must be very conscious not to taint it with worldliness, especially in worship. The church’s music must not pander to parents’ or members’ desire to showcase skills. Church is not about performing music pieces to the congregation or having a mini orchestra of “skilled musicians”. Moreover, today’s Christians and even churches are against institutions because they feel that structures are stifling and man-made. I am not saying that we simply avoid what others do. But we must always go back to biblical precepts and principles, not just emulate others without thinking or do what pleases people. However, 1 Timothy 3 is a blueprint for church structure. Those in leadership positions must be properly qualified. Today, there is a call to blur the lines between clergy and lay people. But God’s structure calls for pastors to be in full-time service of teaching, and they must have sound theological training to do that. BPCWA must know the differences between roles. We have had a colourful history previously where the church’s office holders were figureheads, and whoever wanted could lead and teach, or be given positions to do so to please or keep them. Biblical qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 were ignored. God stipulates the spiritual criteria for pastors, elders, and deacons to rule their own house well (1Ti 3:4-12). God expects the man to be the breadwinner (1Ti 5:8). Conversely, nowhere does He command the wife to do so. There is an increasing trend today of families with double income who choose to have no kids. The family model is not a pet topic, but it is God’s ordained structure for families. Homes are where the church will find her leaders. If our homes do not follow God’s model, then God’s church will depart from His model too. BPCWA must follow God’s injunction to be impartial (1Ti 5:21), especially when it comes to the laying on of hands (1Ti 5:22). It is very dangerous to appoint people based on friendships and personal benefits. The objective criteria must first be assessed in 1 Timothy 3. No Session member should ever do anything to bump up their votes or worry about their votes if they live according to God’s Word. We must never let the church go back to the situation where people are appointed based on relationships and mere “willingness to serve”. Don’t follow how others appoint blindly, whether they be “notable” men or institutions. Another thing that will protect the church is biblical separation. We must withdraw from errors and those who continue in them. If the pastor doesn’t withdraw from such, the church will follow him. We can’t work with anyone for the sake of working with someone. How can a church be a pillar supporting the truth if we work with churches who do not believe in a perfectly inspired and preserved Bible? There is also a need for personal separation in close friendships with new evangelicals. With the latter, your discernment will drop, and you will change if you don’t withdraw from them. If these are hard sayings to you, seek help from the BOE to understand and accept the truth, not leave the church. This is to help you change and be the family member that you can be. However, if you don’t agree but want to stay to fight and raise a groundswell, convince others of your views, change the church, or zealously oppose it, then you should leave the church out of respect for its beliefs. Also, don’t think that gain is godliness (1Ti 6:5). This “gain” can also be seen as numbers, the size of the church, missions work, and ministries. You must measure it against the truth (the pillar). And you must test the practices (the ground) of the church. Worldliness is contrary to godliness (1Ti 6:6-9). Don’t be concerned about where you work and the car you drive. Being wealthy can easily make you worldly. Another thing that BPCWA must guard against is the social gospel, the idea of doing good through medical outreaches and giving out freebies. Progressive Christianity is another movement that can sound so convincing because it propounds things which we hear so often in the world – an inclusive faith, social justice, and environmental stewardship. It propounds cultural and situational ethics instead of obedient adherence to God’s truth. These are but some of the things that BPCWA must learn from history. We must learn to be united in avoiding these errors, working as a family to protect BPCWA.

We must prize the heavenly ways of a godly church that separates from doctrinal compromises and worldliness. Our highest joys must be to contribute to building such a church by God’s grace. The church’s solemn vows to be Christ’s pure bride must be our personal vows as soldiers of Christ. Whether God receives our weekly hymns of love and praise depends on us being clean and pure vessels.

Beyond my highest joy
I prize her heav’nly ways
Her sweet communion, solemn vows,
Her hymns of love and praise.

Yours in our Lord’s service,
Pastor