Author: Penuel Baptist Roch

September 14th 2025: Mike Viccary

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1 Corinthians 1:9

Introduction.

            A church is made up of sinners saved by the grace of God, but each member is a ‘work in progress.’ Now Paul is very clear about the nature of the church in Corinth. Here are some of the things he affirms concerning the Corinthian believers from chapter 1:

[1] They are “the church of God” (v2).

[2] They are the “sanctified in Christ Jesus” and so are united with Him (v2,30).

[3] They are “called to be saints” (v2).

[4] They are among a very great number of others all of whom “call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord” (v2).

[5] They are the recipients of “the grace of God” given freely “by Christ Jesus” (v4).

[6] They have been “enriched in everything by Him” (v5).

[7] They have “the testimony of Christ” within and this confirmed even to the end when Christ returns (v6).

[8] They have received gifts of the Spirit (v7).

[9] They are ones who see “the message of the cross” as “the power of God” (v18).

[10] Though they be weak and foolish in the world’s sight yet they are chosen of God so that “no flesh should glory in His presence” (v29).

And yet there were some serious problems in the Corinthian church! Such is true to varying degrees of all churches, otherwise we would have none of Paul’s epistles or the opening chapters of the book of Revelation! What we read of in Hebrews is pertinent here:

For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14).

We have been saved and justified, but we are still being sanctified and made holy. Now I do not want to focus upon the issues noted here in verses 10 through to 17. What I want us to do is to focus our attention on verse 9:

God is faithful,

by whom you were called

into the fellowship of His Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul was adept at making sure and certain statements about God and His work which formed the basis and ground for his application to those to whom he was writing. These statements in 1Corinthians 1:9 are universal. They are truths which form the very essence of our faith. So today we are simply going to draw some thoughts from verse 9 as it stands. My aim is to encourage you to love Jesus Christ more!

[1] God is faithful.

            In Scripture there are a number of “God is” statements which tell us important things about the nature of God and about His attributes:

  1. God is God of gods and Lord of lords. (Deuteronomy 10:17).
  2. God is the King of all the earth. (Psalm 47:7).
  3. God is greater than all gods. (2Chronicles 2:5).
  4. God is not a man, that He should lie. (Numbers 23:19).
  5. God is a consuming fire. (Deuteronomy 4:24).
  6. God is great. (Job 36:26).
  7. God is a jealous God. (Deuteronomy 6:15).
  8. God is merciful. (Psalm 116:5 – See Deuteronomy 4:11).
  9. God is gracious. (2Chronicles 30:9).
  10. God is a just judge. (Psalm 7:11).
  11. God is the God of salvation. (Psalm 68:20).
  12. God is a sun and shield. (Psalm 84:11).
  13. God is holy. (Psalm 99:9; 1Corinthians 3:17).
  14. God is righteous in all the works. (Daniel 9:14).
  15. God is true. (John 3:33).
  16. God is Spirit. (John 4:24).
  17. God is light. (1John 1:5).
  18. God is love. (1John 4:8,16).

We also have the statement from 1Corinthians 1:9 that “God is faithful,” and Paul repeats this truth a further two times  (1Corinthians 10:13; 2Corinthians 1:18). There are many other “God is …” statements which have to do with Him being our refuge, our strength, and so on. [God is your refuge. (Deuteronomy 33:27). God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect. (2Samuel 22:33). God is a merciful God. (Deuteronomy 4:11)]. All of these statements tell us what God is like.

            The statement “God is faithful” is interesting because it brings certainty and true confidence to mind. The term “faithful” indicates an attitude of being true and reliable to someone or something. It speaks about being trustworthy and reliable. There are three key aspects to this term “faithful” which we should consider:

            [a] Constancy,

[b] Truth,

[c] Faith.

[a] Constancy

            Perhaps the first idea that comes to mind in this term “faithful” is the idea of loyalty or stick-ability. The faithful wife or husband does not cheat. The faithful employee does his/her job. We need to ask a couple of questions at this point. First, how is the faithfulness of God described for us in Scripture? In Jeremiah’s book Lamentations His faithfulness is described as being great (Lamentation 3:23). This truth is shown elsewhere in Scripture, for example in the Psalms where we read that the Lord’s faithfulness “reaches to the clouds” (Psalm 36:5). The Lord is described as “a faithful Creator” (1Peter 4:19), and therefore His faithfulness “endures to all generations” for He “established the earth, and it abides” (Psalm 119:90). The Lord is, of course, always faithful because it is impossible for Him to be anything else but true: “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2Timothy 2:13). Man’s faithfulness (if he is ever faithful) is always limited. He may be a faithful employee but a hopeless family man! With the Lord we may even say that He exudes faithfulness or that His faithfulness is the very atmosphere and environment He dwells in because the Psalmist declared that there was none mighty like Him for His faithfulness “surrounds” Him (Psalm 89:8). And as if that were not enough we are also taught in the same Psalm that the Lord will “not allow” His “faithfulness to fail” (Psalm 89:33).

            Our second question about the faithfulness of God is to ask: in what way is God faithful? How do we see His faithfulness in action? Well I can see seven areas where the Lord God is and has always been faithful. First He is faithful to His word. The Lord told John twice in the vision he experienced that the words He was giving John were “true and faithful” (Revelation 21:5; 22:6). The Psalmist tells us that “all” of God’s “commandments are faithful,” that His “testimonies” are “very faithful,” whilst Isaiah informs us that His “counsels of old are faithfulness and truth” (Psalm 119:86,138; Isaiah 25:1). Second, we learn that the Lord is faithful to His covenants (agreements), for He is “the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy” (Deuteronomy 7:9). Third, the Lord is faithful in His high priestly functions, for He is  “a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17). Fourth, as a result of His sacrifice for sin He is faithful in forgiveness: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9). Fifth, we find the Lord faithful in regard to help when we face temptations: “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able” (1Corinthians 10:13). Sixth we find also that the Lord is faithful in our sanctification. We are not alone! The Spirit aids us. Paul prayed that the Lord would “sanctify” the Thessalonians “completely” and went on to state that “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (1Thessalonians 5:23,24). Sometimes our sanctification involves afflictions, but these too are faithfully given to us by the Lord: “I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me” (Psalm 119:75). Seventh the Lord is faithful in protecting us from the evil one: “but the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one”  (2Thessalonians 3:3).

[b] Truth.

            To be faithful also means to be true. It means to be accurate. It means to be precise. Three times the Lord Jesus is called “faithful” in Revelation, and twice this attribute is linked with truth. He is “the faithful witness,” “the Faithful and True Witness,” and He is “Faithful and True” (Revelation 1:5; 3:14; 19:11). No one has ever see God at any time but the Lord Jesus having come from heaven has declared the whole truth to us. The Lord was true to the Father and revealed exactly those things the Father wanted us to know, as well as those things we needed to know (John 5:19,30). The night before He died in His ‘High priestly’ prayer the Lord could say these words to God the Father:

  • I have finished the work which You have given Me to do (John 17:4).
  • I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. (John 17:6).
  • I have given to them the words which You have given Me. (John 17:8).

Truth is vital. We live at a time when truth is what a person decides to be true. But there are absolute truths and these stem from the fact that Jesus Himself is “the truth,” and He also stated that the word of the Lord was “truth” (John 14:6; 17:17) and it is by this truth that we are to be sanctified:“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17).

            God is true. Four times He is described as the “God of truth” (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 31:5; Isaiah 65:16(x2)). God cannot lie (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). So the faithfulness of God is demonstrated in that He is always true and always speaks truth. Since Scripture, (what is written) is His word, it follows that the Bible is true.

[c] Faith.

            To be faithful means to be always true to someone or something. To be faithful means to be trustworthy, that is one that you can trust and rely on. To be faithless means that you have no trust nor faith in someone or something. Paul wrote: “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2Timothy 2:13). Saying that God is faithful amounts to saying that He is trustworthy. You can trust Him! As God is faithful, and we have been given faith (the ability to trust in God and all He has done), let us continue in faith (Psalm 37)!

            Now this incredible faithfulness of the Lord leads us to ask this question: how should we then live? Well, to begin with, remember as a born again believer, born of the Spirit of God, that faithfulness is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). These fruits are born out of our love for the Lord and they are to be evident in our lives. Are we faithful to the Lord? Surely seeing the Lord’s faithfulness to us will lead in turn to our faithfulness to Him. And so this means that we will continue in faith. We will exercise the faith that God gives to us. Consider this exhortation from Hebrews:

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  (Hebrews 10:23).

To aid us in our faithfulness to the Lord we should feed on the faithfulness of God as the Psalmist tells us: “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness” (Psalm 37:3). And then also we should give testimony to the faithfulness of God in our lives:

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 89:1).

[2] by whom you were called.

            The calling of the Lord is a wonderful truth to behold. God calls people not to a system nor to a rule, but to Himself.

28 Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).

As always we learn that what the Son does is none other than what the Father and the Spirit do too. Our Lord Jesus taught that those who come to Him were in fact called of, or taught by the Father. He said: “everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me” (John 6:47). The Lord Jesus also spoke about the Father’s electing love and declared that “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). And then at the very end of Scripture we find that the Spirit too calls people to join the Lord:

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17).

And so we learn from all of these words that it is God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working in unison who have called us. This calling gives us immense confidence because God is faithful. He who calls is He who can save. He who calls is He who can deliver! The world makes a grave mistake in thinking that the Christian faith is all about mankind seeking God. Ask anyone in the world and they will probably tell you that to be a Christian is to make a conscious choice or decision to throw in one’s lot with God. But this is very far from the truth. Paul quoted from Psalm 14 and 53 showing plainly that no one seeks God:

10 As it is written: “there is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. (Romans 3:10,11).

The entire Bible is testament to this truth. Ever since Adam sinned in the garden, man has continually run away from God desperate to seek answers for himself, but in His grace God has constantly pursued man. But not all who hear the calling of God – the preaching of His word the gospel – will take notice of it. To the one who hears the message of God’s calling and who embraces all that God has said there is greater blessing. But to the one who hears the calling of God in the gospel and turns aside and pays no heed to it, there is only one outcome: they will perish.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1Corinthians 1:18).

But this idea of calling also has within it the notion of being named.

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.” (Isaiah 43:1).

There is within this calling of the Lord the idea of redemption and even adoption. Bathe yourself in these words that the apostle John wrote:

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. (1John 3:1).

Think of the many times that the Lord came to various peoples such as Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses … who all received Him and were led by Him throughout their lives! Paul speaks about this type of calling being part of the great work of God in the salvation of many:

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30).

If you have heard the call of God and have run to Him in repentance and faith, then know that the faithful God has already secured your glorification – your place in heaven is secured (see John 14;1f). But we need to be clear what is entailed in this calling. We are not called into a club or society where there may be some benefits and some responsibilities. Many who belong to such do not see themselves as wholly or exclusively linked to such. But for the Christian, to be called, is to be called out of this world and into the Lord. There is no neutral ground. We cannot consider ourselves called of God if we think of it like being a part of a club or society. It is either all or nothing. To be called is to be brought completely into the Lord. When God calls someone He does not just arrest their attention, but He brings in the whole plan of salvation. We are called “according to His purpose,” “in the grace of God,” and “by our gospel” (Romans 8:28; Galatians 1:6; 2Thessalonians 2:14). We are called “into the fellowship of His Son,” “into His own kingdom and glory,” “out of darkness into His marvellous light,” with an “upward call,” and a “heavenly calling” (1Corinthians 1:9; 1Thessalonians 2:12; 1Peter 2:9; Philippians 3:14; Hebrews 3:1). We are called “to be saints,” as “sons of the living God,” and as “children of God” (1Corinthians 1:2; Romans 9:26; 1John 3:1). We are called “in one body,” “in holiness,” “with a holy calling,” “to peace,” and we are to be “worthy of the calling” (Colossians 3:15; 1Thesalonians 4:7; 2Timothy 1:9; 1 Corinthians 7:15; Ephesians 4:1). We are called “in one hope,” to “eternal life,” to an “eternal inheritance,” to “His eternal glory,” and to “the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Ephesians 4:4; 1Timothy 6:12; Hebrews 9:15; 1Peter 5:10; Revelation 19:9).

[3] into the fellowship of His Son.

            Here in our text we see that we have been called into “fellowship” with the Lord Jesus. Note to begin with, that “fellowship” is one of the key marks of a Christian church, listed second to “the apostles’ doctrine,” and before “the breaking of bread,” and “prayers” (Acts 2:42). This is no  mere association or membership of a club as the world might think of the word.  So what then is meant by this term “fellowship”? Well first and foremost, it is “the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” This fellowship belongs to the Lord Jesus and consists in being in communion and knowing Him. Christ Jesus alone is Head of the church. In Philippians Paul uses this term “fellowship” three times, teaching us some important things for us to grasp when we consider our fellowship. First, there is true fellowship only in the gospel: “for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:5). How marvellous is the gospel? It is unique. It is simple to express, and yet profound in its outworking.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).

You cannot add to the gospel and you cannot take from it either. There is nothing needed above and beyond the gospel because in truth it is “the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1) which Paul describes in these wonderful words:

… the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. (Romans 1:2-4).

Second, there is true fellowship only for those born again of the Holy Spirit, for Paul speaks about our “fellowship of the Spirit” (Philippians 2:1). Such communion cannot be shared between people unless they are indwelt by the Spirit of God, for this fellowship is with God and so a person must be made holy to benefit from such a wonderful thing. Unbelievers may enjoy what they see and experience in our fellowship but they cannot actually fellowship with us, until they are born again. Third, there is true fellowship only for those who have forsaken this world which is at war with God, because our Christian fellowship is described as “the fellowship of His sufferings” (Philippians 3;10). We read elsewhere that true fellowship cannot be with “the throne of iniquity” or with “unbelievers,” with “lawlessness,” or with “darkness” (Psalm 94;20; 1Corinthians 10:20; 2Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:11). And we are taught clearly by the Lord and by Paul that if we want to love and know the Lord Jesus we will know “tribulation” and will suffer “persecution” (John 16:33; 2Timothy 3:12). This is because the world is at loggerheads with the Lord, and to know the Lord is to turn from and reject this world (1John 2;15-17).

            Perhaps the best description of true fellowship comes in the apostle John’s first letter and chapter one. John starts by pointing to the “Word of life” who was manifested and who appeared in the flesh so that he and others could ‘handle,’ and interact with in a physical sense. This wonderful person who is described as “that eternal life which was with the Father” which John and others saw and heard, they in turn ‘declared’ the truth to others (such as to whom John was writing). The grand purpose of this declaration was so that those who heard John may have “fellowship” with John and the other eye-witnesses, and then we learn that such “fellowship” is in fact truly “fellowship … with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” So the declaration of the truth as expressed in Christ Jesus – the gospel – is the basis upon which we have fellowship with the Lord. As we have noted already, this fellowship with the Lord Jesus can only be known by those who have been called by God into His kingdom, who have been saved by the gospel of grace and so have been adopted into His family by the work of the Spirit, and who have forsaken this world.

            At this point we should ask ourselves the question: what is such communion and fellowship like?Over 100 times in the Old Testament we read that “the word of the Lord came to…” God takes the initiative. His word has gone forth. First the Lord brought His message to many various prophets, then He came in person as the “Word of life” and now He comes to us by the Spirit through His revealed word. There is no more revelation in terms of Scripture, but the Lord, the True Word is continually manifesting Himself through His word the Bible. At the end of His High priestly prayer the Lord Jesus said:

And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them. (John 17:26).

Earlier on in His teaching the Lord said this:

21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. … 23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.  (John 14:21,23).

There is, then, this wonderful promise of the Lord Himself coming to us by His Spirit to commune and dwell with us! But this fellowship is always in connection to the gospel, (we dare not boast in anything else), by the Holy Spirit (no ingenuity or strength of man will avail), and in conformity with a rejection of this world (for it is all darkness).

[4] Jesus Christ our Lord.

            What is in a name? Sometimes Scripture uses one or two and sometimes three names/titles for the Our calling and our fellowship is always with and in the Lord Jesus Christ.

  1. He is Jesus – the sinless man who alone can save people from their sins.
  2. He is Christ – the promised One from Genesis 3:15 and spoken of throughout all of Scripture.
  3. He is Lord – Jehovah or Yahweh – very God.

This understanding of the Lord Jesus Christ is essential. Anything less than this means our fellowship is flawed. We have understood that the Lord takes the initiative in calling and that He wants communion with His people – He is Immanuel – God with us. We have noted that the only means by which true fellowship can be experienced is in the gospel, with the aid of the Spirit, and in forsaking this world. Now we recognise that the very centre and sum of our fellowship – the Lord Jesus Christ – must be known for whom He is. I love the hymn: ‘Be Thou My Vision.’ The second line of the first verse highlights this point:

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

He, our wonderful Saviour, is to be nothing other than what He has revealed. There are many different representations of Jesus and the gospel. Make sure you come to know the Jesus of the Bible only. There is only one gospel and only one Christ Jesus (Galatians 1:6-8).

            This leads to the thought that doctrine and teaching are therefore very important. Sadly, doctrine and teaching are heavily frowned upon today. And yet the very first mark of a true believing church is “the apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42). I mention doctrine (teaching) at this point because Paul is conscious of declaring the truth and getting things concerning Christ Jesus fully right. To the Galatians he wrote these searching words:

6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. 11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:6-12).

It is pretty evident in his letters that he is concerned to teach things which must be believed. But what do we mean by this term “doctrine,” and what constitutes that which we ought to teach? The Bible speaks  about different types of doctrine (teaching). There is the “worthless doctrine” which stems from idolatry or a false ground or basis and not stemming from God. (Jeremiah 10:8). Similarly there are doctrines taught by “the commandments of men” or those ideas generated within man and from man rather than from God. (Matthew 15;9; Mark 7:7; Colossians 2:22). Then there is the “doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matthew 16:12). The former taught that the law could be kept but only through man-made instruction, the latter denied spirit, resurrection and the supernatural. There is a great variety of doctrines among men which leads to people being “tossed to and fro” and then “carried about with every wind of doctrine by the trickery of men” who act in “cunning craftiness,” and “deceitful plotting” (Ephesians 4;14). There are doctrines of demons (1Timothy 4:1). There are strange or foreign doctrines (Hebrews 13:9; Revelation 2:14,15,24).

            But then, wonderfully, there is the doctrine which comes from God Himself. The Lord Jesus declared to us that His “doctrine” was not His own but was “His who sent” Him (John 7:16 – see also 1Timothy 6:1, Titus 2;10 and 2John 1:9,10). Those who heard the Lord Jesus speak and act declared openly that such was a “new doctrine” and one which was “with authority” (Mark 1:27). We are taught also that the doctrine God teaches through His word is “sound doctrine,” “good doctrine,” and “the doctrine which accords with godliness” (1Timothy 1:10; 4:6; 6:3; 2Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1). Now such doctrine is to be learned and heeded (1Timothy 4:13,16; 5:17; 2Timothy 3:16; Titus 2:7).

            But this leads to another question: how then can we discern the true and good doctrine from the false and empty? Is it down to intelligence or learning? Of course not! Does it depend upon your church fellowship or association? Not really? Will not the God who created all things and who sent His Son to die for sins lead us? I think David had it right when he said these words:

1 To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. 3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause. 4 Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. 5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. … 14 The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant. (Psalm 25:1-5,14).

Notice the dependence and submission of David. He lifted up his soul to the Lord. He asked the Lord for help because He alone was the one who saved him. He waited on God. He feared the Lord – that is he put the Lord first.

            We conclude this fourth point on going deeper in doctrine to note that this is a corporate act. We have a corporate faith. Peter speaks to his readers as those who have “like precious faith” (2Peter 1:1).Notice in our text that the name is given as “Jesus Christ our Lord.” Jesus Christ must be your Lord and He must be my Lord. But there is great joy and much blessing when believers fellowship together. He is “our Lord.” Our fellowship is dependent upon each one of us knowing the Lord. But our fellowship is equally dependent upon all of us expressing our love for the Lord.

September 7th 2025: Nathan Munday

Published on by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

Genesis 40.

Introduction.

            I wonder if you were aware how often the phrase “third day” comes in this passage? This is a key thought which leads us directly to the gospel. I remember when I was young my first ever novel was by Alexandre Dumas entitled ‘The Count of Monte Cristo.” It speaks of a man by the name of, Edmond Dantès, who is falsely accused of treason. Imprisoned he does not waste the opportunity to get ready, to learn patience, and to plot an escape, and he declared: “God has sustained me” in the afflictions of his imprisonment.

            In this sermon we shall confide our thoughts to the two men imprisoned by Pharaoh, the chief butler and the chief baker. We are presented with two men, two dreams, and two destinies. The setting is in a place of darkness where there is no hope. And into this dire setting the Lord sends His servant Joseph, for it was Joseph alone who could interpret the dreams and show them the way out. We shall consider these two men and their experiences under three headings:

[1] Rebellion.

[2] Revelation.

[3] Reward.

[1] Rebellion.

            These men were not simply household servants, (butler and baker), as may be imagined in some grand household of old, for they are both termed “chief” in their respective positions. In modern terms we might liken them to a high cabinet position in the government (home secretary, or foreign secretary perhaps). In verse 1 we learn that both had “offended” Pharaoh, although we are not told how. This word “offended” is more often translated as “sinned.” They had both sinned against Pharaoh. Both the chief butler and the chief baker were responsible for ensuring that Pharaoh had all he needed and was not given anything bad or offensive. These two were Pharaoh’s closest advisers. It might have been tempting, for example, for the chief butler to squeeze more grapes into the wine diluting it down. This suggestion is not in our text. We have no idea what it was that offended the Egyptian king. Perhaps it was a coup attempt? But the fact that it is not detailed means that we can apply this to all offence or sin against God, for just as these two sinned against Pharaoh, we too have become an offence against God.

            Both the chief butler and the chief baker deserved to be in the prison. Joseph did not deserve to be there. And by nature we are all revolutionaries and rebels. Does not mankind shake his fist against God? Are not many so indifferent to Him that they could not care? Are not all rebels before the Lord? What of Frank Sinatra’s most famous song “I did it my way”? Isn’t this our way too? We like to think that as people we can chart our own course, but such thinking is all wrong. We either live life God’s way or we live it in some fashion according to mere men. There is no third or neutral way. David declared that we were born in sin (Psalm 51:5). We know that we are guilty before God. We are in the same boat that these two men found themselves in. In the same way the two thieves on either side of our Lord as He hung on the cross were thoroughly guilty deserving of death. From Luke’s account we hear one of these thieves blaspheming the Lord as He was there on the cross. The other thief answered in rebuke and pointed out that they were both guilty whereas concerning the Lord Jesus he stated “but this Man has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:39-41). After this he then asks the Lord to remember him when He would come into His kingdom, to which the Lord replied “assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:42,43).

            Sin always leads to misery. Nothing good comes from sin. In fact the very wages of sin is death. Far too often we think that the world revolves around us and we feel aggrieved when things do not go our way. Now imagine the International Space Ship. What would happen to it if a needle pierced the outer casing through to the interior? Surely if it is not attended to quickly the end result will be the utter destruction of the whole ship? Heaven is a glorious and wholly pure place. It is impossible for even the tinniest of sins to be found there. Nothing can pierce into heaven to bring destruction. The thought is laughable because God inhabits heaven. The problem of sin is a grave one (excuse the pun). If we are to enter heaven (the place where God dwells in eternity) then we cannot bring our sin with us. It must be removed. Both the thieves were guilty. Both of Pharaoh’s close advisers were guilty. One thief was brought into glory with the Saviour and one was left to pay for his own sins. In the same way one of Pharaoh’s two advisers was restored to his former position and one was hanged.

[2] Revelation.

            The dreams of both men were simple and straight forward enough. The great problem was that neither man understood what they meant. It is very clear from the text that these dreams were supernatural somehow. Both men appeared very sad as a result of these dreams, a fact which Joseph noted. But then into this sad and desperate situation comes Joseph, God’s man. Now Joseph acknowledges that revelation must come from God (“do not interpretations belong to God?” Genesis 40:8). We are not told how Joseph received this revelation. Earlier encounters with this man Joseph show that he was a man of God who could receive revelation. Now Joseph does not hold back on the truth here. To one man (the chief butler) the news is good news, but to the other (the chief baker) the news is bad news. As ministers of the gospel, and as born again believers who must pass on the truth, we cannot simply tell people the good news. The bad news that sin must be paid for must be delivered as well as the good news that Christ has made the way of redemption and forgiveness.

            Now in both dreams we have this recurring phrase “within/are three days” (Genesis 40;12,13,18,19). Both are told that “within three days” they will each be lifted up (Genesis 40:13,19). The word “three” comes five more times in the passage so that this repeated theme is surely significant (Genesis 40:10,12(x2),13,16,18(x2),19). Thus day three is the key date. We are alerted to the fact that our Saviour rose from the dead on the third day (1Corinthians 15:4)! On the third day one would be lifted up to be restored and the other would be lifted up to his death. Now in all of this we can see the Lord’s kindness. There were three days for the chief baker to prepare himself for what was to come. Time is short. In many ways life on earth is a bit like life on the Titanic – the ship that was doomed on its maiden voyage. We think we have plenty of time but we do not! We have but a short time to prepare ourselves to meet with the Lord. How much better if we do it now? The Old Testament is not without witness to this idea of three days or of life being restored on the third day. Consider Jonah who was in the belly of a great fish and was vomited up on the third day (Matthew 12:40). Or what about the prophecy found in Hosea 6:2: “after two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight”?  These all point to the greatest lifting up of all time! On the third day Christ arose from the grave! This is good news! This has changed the world. The good news is not: ‘copy Jesus and be like Him,’ as many may say, but hear the word of life and be born again for Christ is risen! It is not ‘try your best’ but realise your sinful state and know that Christ has done what you could not and has given you life! Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will have everlasting life. We have been restored by all that Christ has done. We are being restored as we seek Him and walk in His life. We will be restored when Christ comes again to judge the living and the dead. We do not yet have our resurrection bodies but we are new creatures and the old has passed away. The story of these two close advisers to Pharaoh pictures mankind teetering on the brink of eternity. There are but three days! It was Joseph (a type of Christ) who observed the sadness of these two men and brought hope.

[3] Reward.

            God is kind. It was Pharaoh’s birthday and so there was a celebration or feast. For these two close advisers there is triumph and there is tragedy. For you and I death will result in this same outcome: triumph or tragedy. Now Pharaoh granted pardon to one of his subjects (the chief butler), but how? We are not told, but he was restored to his former position. The chief baker, however was hanged as an example to all. Both of the thieves who died besides the Lord Jesus had an opportunity to turn from their wicked ways towards the Saviour in their midst, but only one entered Paradise. Now in verse 13 we find that the chief butler did not remember Joseph when he had been restored. But the greater Joseph (our Lord Jesus) remembers us! What makes you consider the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you for or against Him? What do you think of the Lord Jesus Christ? Make no mistake He is the revealer of truth and he is the Saviour of the world (exclusively). Do not rely on ‘cultural Christianity’ which is all the vogue today. Christ was lifted up as the spotless Lamb of God even though considered a rebel and a criminal. He died to save us from sin and He rose to bring in new life. What think ye of Him? Our reaction to Him is determinative for our destiny.

            It is very interesting that in the narrative of the four gospels no one dies in the presence of the Lord Jesus. Mary and Martha said that if the Lord had been with them and their brother Lazarus, he would not have died. But the Lord Jesus responded to these sorrowing sisters by saying that He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). Christ is life! Take hold of Him. Listen to the third verse of Hark the Herald:

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.

Part of this comes from Malachi:

But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings … (Malachi 4:2).

May you know the healing of your soul unto life!

August 17th 2025: Ian Middlemist

Published on by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

Psalm 3

            This is a Psalm of the morning. It is a Psalm of David, who was, by and large, a good king. But he wasn’t perfect. He did some things wrong. He was adulterous and even though he repented of this sin, there were things that came to pass in consequence of his wrong actions. His own son Absalom took it upon himself to get into such a position by deceit so that he could usurp authority in the nation. David did not correct Absalom properly and so, little by little, Absalom rose to prominence and power so that he brought civil war upon the land and David had to flee. David recognised that he had few amongst his number that could contest with Absalom’s army and so he fled, for the odds were stacked against him. But, following this Psalm, we learn that even though he was in such a dire situation, he was enabled to have a good night’s sleep! He awoke in praise to God, for He alone is Almighty.

[1] David in trouble.

            Sometimes people find themselves between a rock and a hard place. This is where David ended up. Some today may ask the question: how can troubles come to those who have put their trust in God, who are saved, and who are seeking to follow Him? We know surely whether we are young or old, in whatever circumstance, that believers face troubles. It may be in school, or in the workplace, or wherever you live and do your normal things. But Christians have additional troubles too, apart from the normal heartaches which are as a result of the fall. Christians can be left out of things, may not be free to share in the jokes told, and are separate on account of their walk with the Lord, and so face these additional irksome troubles. There is a tension because they are not part of this world’s order and ways even though they must mingle in the world. Troubles come in all sorts of ways. It may be through sickness, or on account of finances. It may be through ill health or advancing age. Now there are two kinds of troubles we can face.

[a] Troubles we bring upon ourselves.

[b] Troubles given to us.

David brought the trouble he faced upon himself. Absalom’s behaviour ought to have been challenged and corrected. Now when we put a foot wrong and commit sin, and then repent, even though our sins are all paid for by Christ, He does allow the consequences of our sinful actions to play out as chastisements upon us.

            Now there are troubles that we do not bring upon ourselves. If we face a difficulty, and if after examining our hearts we see nothing which needs repenting of, and we are suffering, then we must realise that even though this is not consequential from a sinful act, it is nevertheless given to us. We are, and always will be, under the sovereign hand of the Lord. This trouble is not a punishment from the Lord, although He may be using it to chastise or correct us, to sanctify us. We know that all sins are fully paid for by Christ. He was judged in our place. So there is no thought of condemnation or judgement at all. Troubles come to enable the Lord to bring us into conformity to His Son. These troubles are there to bring in growth. They are brought to us to bring in our spiritual growth. Whatever the difficulty may be, do remember that the Lord knows all about them. Even those internal struggles and troubles that cannot be spoken nor shared, know for sure that He understands and knows them truly. These difficulties and troubles are not to lead us to despair. They are not hopeless, they are not random, but are necessary for our spiritual growth.

            The process of growth is often hard. When I was young my mother dressed me! She used to say: ‘vest in pants, shirt in trousers’ to ensure I got everything tucked in properly! But now I can dress myself. I do not need my wife to come in and help. I do not struggle to get my socks on! I have grown. All of these troubles are designed by God to bring about growth. They lead us not to independency but to deeper dependence upon God.

[2] David at prayer.

            David is at prayer. When he wakes in the morning his first thing is to pray. He cries out ‘O Lord.’ What is the first thing we do when faced with trouble? We ought always to cry out to the Lord. In this modern age we tend to rely on our phones, or on ‘Google’ don’t we? As youngsters perhaps we called out ‘mum!’ or ‘dad!’ when in trouble and danger. We need to call out to the Lord as David did.

            Sometimes people act in a petulant manner and slam the door or blurt out in anger when faced with trouble. Some blame God for the situation, thinking (wrongly) they are beyond reproach and should not have to face this trouble. But as David experiences this trouble he is moved to prayer and he is brought to blessings! He discovers that in the place of true prayer he notes those things which God has done and is still doing.

[a] God is a shield, (v3).

            The first thing David observes in the place of prayer is that God is a shield to him. However great the trouble may be the Lord is David’s protector. Nothing can get to him save that which the Lord uses for his sanctification and growth. God is good and only does good. So He protects David but allows some things to come which will hone him and cause him to rely more upon the Lord.

            When I was in primary school we used to play a game of imaginary fighting. One would come up and pretend that he’d shot an arrow to me claiming it had met its mark, but I would reply ‘my chain mail has saved me!’ Undeterred my friend would say ‘I have a machine gun so you must be dead,’ and I would reply ‘but I am wearing armour plating.’ This game would soon escalate to ridiculous heights involving nuclear weapons and lasers, until it came to a point in which it was impossible to carry on when one of us would say ‘I have an infinite measure of protection and the ultimate weapon against all opponents’! There was no beating that! Now the point is that as Christians we do in fact have the ultimate protection against all opposition! God is truly our protector and nothing can get through Him! Nothing can harm you, and nothing can happen to you, except that which the Lord allows, and that for our ultimate good. Satan is not all powerful. He does have some power but he is defeated and defenceless against the Lord.

            We have trouble and difficulty. These are painful and they are real. But the Lord has the victory over all. He has made us secure as we are taken through such troubles and difficulties. This shield is all around you. There is no chink or gap. We may like to think of it as a ‘force field’ in modern thought, but it encompasses us all around. As a result we are enabled to move forward, to carry on, to live through these difficulties.

[b] God is the lifter up of our head (v3).

            David knows this truth in the place of prayer. We need to lift up our heads! We need to set our hearts and minds on the things above. Many hang their heads in shame when troubles come. Maybe they have lost money through no fault of their own. Perhaps they have been made redundant or other failures have reared their ugly heads. But in the place of prayer David knows that even if the kingdom is taken from him, even if none are with him, and even if there appears to be no hope, yet still the Lord is the lifter of his head.

[c] We are never far from God (v4).

            David mentions here ‘the holy hill.’ But he has had to flee from Jerusalem where the holy hill could be found! This was the place of sacrifice and worship. It had been settled in Jerusalem in the temple. But David recognises that it is not the literal site that is vital, but what it stands for in spiritual terms. David’s security does not lie in Jerusalem where the ‘holy hill’ was to be found, but in the Lord Himself and in that which the ‘holy hill’ showed forth – the death and resurrection of the Christ. So he was never far from God, even though he was no longer in Jerusalem.

[3] David at peace.

            David knew peace because the Lord was his shield. In verse 5 we see David can sleep. If we knew that many enemies were on the horizon I do not think we would hasten to sleep. But the Lord is such a shield to David that he can sleep and be at peace.

            Peace is linked to courage. A lack of courage is linked to those who do not know peace. So in his peace, David can now arise. Peace leads to an outward, onward march to glory. It leads us through the battlefield for God is our shield. In our long-term troubles we know we can move forward because the Lord has secured us, and He has given us all the love we need alongside His peace. David calls upon the Lord to bring about salvation for him. Are you sure that God has given you salvation? Are you sure that God is now with you? If not then maybe you have yet to really pray?

            We must rely totally on Him for safety, security, and courage, all of which we find in the place of prayer unto the Lord. In verse 2 the enemies taunt and bring doubts saying that there is no help or salvation from the Lord. But in verse 8 we read that salvation belongs to God. God is with us if we are His.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6,7).

Amen.