EP CWF (6 May) - "Shepherding God's People for Peace and Justification by Faith" (Romans 4-6)

On 6 May, our bi-monthly EP Co-Workers Fellowship (CWF) brought together pastors and ministry co-workers from across the English Presbytery for an afternoon of food, fellowship, singing, and rich encouragement from God’s Word.

Rev Srimal Marthenis, our English Presbytery Moderator, welcomed us and gave thanks for our buffet lunch. It was a joyful time of catching up and we were reminded that there is strength and encouragement in serving alongside one another in our EP churches.

Rev Jackson then played the guitar and led us in a meaningful time of singing three songs: Therefore Being Justified by Faith, Man of Sorrows, and The Goodness of God, preparing us to hear from God’s Word.

We were privileged to hear from Dr Tan Kim Huat, lecturer at Trinity Theological College, who shared a theologically rich message titled “Shepherding God’s People for Peace and Justification by Faith,” drawn from Romans 4–6. Dr Tan guided us through Paul’s unfolding exposition of the gospel:

* In Romans 4, Abraham is presented as the paradigm of faith—justified not by works, but through trusting in God's promise. His life shows that righteousness is received, not earned.

* In Romans 5, justification by faith brings peace with God, produces hope that endures through suffering, and reveals God's love poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

* In Romans 6, Paul corrects the misuse of grace, showing that believers, united with Christ in His death and resurrection, are no longer slaves to sin but called to walk in newness of life.

Dr Tan’s teaching was intellectually enriching, and personally I found it also deeply pastoral. Romans 4 reminds pastors and church leaders on how to minister to members who are burdened by guilt and failure, for we can help them see that they are accepted by God not because of their works, but by faith, just as Abraham was.

In Romans 5, we are equipped to comfort those experiencing suffering and uncertainty. We can lead them to the unshakable peace that comes from being reconciled to God, and the living hope that shapes and sustains us through hardship.

Romans 6 provides the foundation for discipling believers in holy living. It reminds us to teach our people that we are shaped by our union with Christ. We are dead to sin, alive to God, and called to live lives shaped by grace and righteousness.

We thank God for our EP co-workers fellowship where we can be spurred on by His Word and strengthened through mutual encouragement. We look forward to our next gathering on 1 July.