THE ROLES OF HUSBAND AND WIFE

Pastor’s message at the wedding of Samuel Joseph & Leanne Wong, 12 December 2015

We rejoice with Sam and Leanne in their holy matrimony today. We thank God for how He has brought them together. It was when Sam committed his life to serve the Lord full-time that the Lord provided for him a wife. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Put God first and He will see to your needs.

Sam and Leanne, now that you are husband and wife, you are going to embark on a new journey with new experiences. You no longer walk alone, do things alone—you now have each other to think of, to consider, and like it or not, you are stuck with each other for life—super-stuck—“until death us do part”. As Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore shall a man … cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”

How to have a happy, healthy, harmonious marriage and life together? God tells us how in Genesis 2:18, “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” Many marriages break down because people reject their God-given roles as husband and wife. You need to know and understand the distinctive roles both of you have as husband and wife. Take note of these three points:

Leader/Helper

The husband is the leader and the wife is the helper. The best partner and helper a man can have is a woman. The woman is not man-made but God-made. Our God is a perfect maker and matchmaker. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” (Jas 1:17). Proverbs 18:22 says, “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” Sam, besides the gift of salvation, Leanne is God’s best gift to you. She is very important and very precious. Why? Because she is going to help you. She is going to help you be the spiritual leader God meant you to be. Leanne, on your part, you need to understand that it is on Sam that God has conferred the authority to lead. As Christ has authority over the church, Sam as your husband has authority over you. 1 Corinthians 11:3 says, “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man … For this cause ought the woman to have power [ie authority] on her head.” 1 Timothy 2:12-13 says, “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve.” When the Bible forbids a woman to teach, it does not mean that she does not or cannot teach in any and every situation. We know from the Bible that the older women are to teach the younger women, and mothers are required to teach their children. The teaching prohibition here has to do with authoritative teaching that belongs to the ordained ministry. We know this from the injunction to the woman not “to usurp authority over the man”, and the context of 1 Timothy 2:7, “Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, … a teacher …”. Leanne, since you are studying for full-time ministry as well, the biblical knowledge and training that you have will make you a most suitable helper for Sam as he seeks to fulfil his call to be an ordained minister of the gospel, if the Lord so ordains.

Provider/Homemaker

The husband is the provider and the wife is the homemaker. If the man is the leader, then he must also be the provider. The head of the house must work hard to provide for his family. This is taught in 1 Timothy 5:8, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” So Sam, if the Lord has called you to serve Him, He will have a place for you in His vineyard and harvest field. You on your part must do your best to prove your calling, and if you are worth your salt, churches will be knocking on your door. And as you serve the Lord faithfully and unconditionally, He will see to it that all of your needs are met. God is your Provider as you seek to provide for your family.

The duty of the woman as a wife and mother is to be the homemaker. This is taught in 1 Timothy 5:14, “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” Titus 2:5 calls on young women “To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” Leanne, understand that this is an important and honourable duty. When you have children, you must teach your children. The father teaches, but the mother teaches even more because she is there in the house full time, to “guide the house” and be the “keeper at home.” The home becomes a mini Bible College where the mother is the Bible professor, to teach the children Scripture and theology. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Do not despise this good work of being a full-time mother and teacher at home. Proverbs 31:27-28 promises a blessing for full-time homemakers, “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”

Lover/Follower

The husband is the lover and the wife is the follower. Husbands are commanded to love their wives. Ephesians 5:25 makes this clear, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” Verse 28 says, “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.” Adam said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh” (Gen 2:23). Sam, when you love Leanne, you are loving yourself. And the love you must have for her is total, 100%. That was how Christ loved His church—He gave His life, He suffered and died for her. Likewise the husband must love his wife that much—he must be willing to lay down his life for her. This will prevent you from committing adultery or thinking of divorce.

Wives are commanded to submit to their husbands. Ephesians 5:22 says, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” The submission entails obedience. Consider what 1 Peter 3:5-6 says, “For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.” Leanne, your attitude towards Sam must be one of deep respect. You will respect him and the decisions he will make. This does not mean you cannot express your thoughts and feelings, but let him have the final say. If a decision is not contrary to Scripture or ethics, submit to him, and let him take the lead. He is ultimately accountable to Christ. Christ is his Head and Christ will lead him. As he follows Christ, you follow him. The Lord will bless you for it.

So, for a happy marriage that will last a lifetime, remember the biblical order in a husband-wife relationship: (1) Leader/Helper, (2) Provider/Homemaker, and (3) Lover/ Follower. May the Lord bless you both as you live and serve Him together as husband and wife. JK

THANKSGIVING LETTERS

Radio Ministry in Kenya

Receive many greetings in the blessed name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I do thank the Lord for the Pastor Dr Jeffrey Khoo and the True Life Church for the support they gave me for my radio ministry this year. May the Lord richly bless you for the good work you are doing. Someday at the judgment seat of Christ we shall see the fruit, and honor and glory will be to the Lord. Your labor is not in vain. May the Lord reward you. I’ll also appreciate your prayers that the Lord will grant me utterance and faithful preaching of His holy and preserved Word which has changed many.

My family is fine. I’ll appreciate prayers for our three children who will be joining secondary school next year if they will do well. Say hi to Dr Khoo and the church at large, not forgetting Mrs Tow whom the Lord has used to be a blessing to my family for assistance in the digging of the well while I was there, and the school fees for our daughter who is studying for nursing. Thanks and God bless you all.

Yours in His Name

Philip K Lagat

9 December 2015

Bible Ministry in USA

Dear Charles Kan and the True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church,

As representative of the Bible For Today as Director, and of the Dean Burgon Society as President, we want to thank the True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church for these most generous gifts, received today, to these ministries here in the United States of America. Both organizations are thankful for your kindness and generosity toward us who stand with you in your defense of our King James Bible and its underlying verbally plenary inspired (VPI) and verbally plenary preserved (VPP) Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek Words.

We of the Bible For Today and of the Dean Burgon Society are most grateful for your faithfulness to the King James Bible and its underlying Words as you teach your students at the FAR EASTERN BIBLE COLLEGE. Dr. Jeffrey Khoo and all of the faculty are to be commended for standing for these important truths. Very, very, very few schools, colleges, seminaries, and even churches in our United States of America stand with us and with you in this vital battle for TRUTH in these last days.

Please greet Dr. Jeffrey Khoo and our other friends there in Singapore.

In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Pastor D. A. Waite

December 5, 2015

Church Ministry in Australia

Dear Dr Jeffrey Khoo (Pastor) Dn. Charles (Treasurer) and Session of True Life BPC,

Greetings in the blessed Name of our risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I am truly thankful to the Lord for the support from True Life BPC Singapore throughout the year, including the July-September 2015 support. By God’s grace my DBS statement for October 12^th 2015 records a Quick Cheque Deposit for $4,650.00. Likewise praise the Lord for the quarterly support from True Life BPC Singapore having been deposited into my DBS account as mentioned on 07/11/2015.

Your support to missionaries and folk involved in His ministry, as well as unflinching support of FEBC will certainly reap blessings for the Lord.

May the Lord continue to strengthen you as you support those reaching out to the lost with the faithful saving and sanctifying Word. “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.” (1 Chron. 16:34).

In His Service,

Rev. Errol D Stone

3 December 2015