Penuel Baptist Roch

Sunday 14th February 2016

Published on February 15, 2016 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

Gerald Tait Feb16 Yesterday’s morning worship was led by Gerald Tait who gave a Valentine’s message from Song of Songs. He told us how Solomon had wanted the Shumannite woman to love him for who he was and so he came to her in disguise as a shepherd, in the same way as Jesus came in disguise wanting us to love him for who He is.

In chapter 2 verse 1 she describes herself as “the rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.” The rose of Sharon was a wild daffodil that grew in the spring, six pure white petals with a golden trumpet in the middle. It is a very ordinary plant in the desert. The only thing that would catch your eye would be the golden trumpet. This was an ordinary woman who became something because of the royal trumpet. God’s love is for ordinary people. The King of Kings loves us in spite of the fact we are ordinary people.

Solomon describes his love in chapter 4 verses 12-15. Solomon knew his plants and chose this description very carefully. It is a picture looking down from a barren mountain and imagining a garden and a well of living water. It is beautiful amongst all the barrenness that surrounds it. In verse 16 we read how the wind blows hot from the south by day but at night cold air blows from the from the snow-capped mountains in the north, bruising the plant so the fragrance comes out. Her life is fragrant. John chapter 7 verse 37 speaks of flowing rivers of living water, the Holy Spirit. We have a fragrance of the Lord Jesus.

The woman gives us a ‘selfie’ of herself with Jesus. She is out, she can’t find him so she gives a wonderful description of Him. He is outstanding among 10,000 and describes Him as ‘altogether lovely.’ The woman tells everyone about Him and they are eager to meet Him. We need to share our love for Jesus with other people.

We need to keep in touch. God wants to hear our voice and see us. A face to face meeting is more than a letter or a dozen red roses. A personal meeting is more important. The Lord wants to hear our voice in prayer. We need to meet with the Lord every day.

The Bible is the best Valentine’s letter, Jesus has the deepest love for us – agape.

Sunday 7th February 16 – Morning Service

Published on February 13, 2016 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

Ian-Feb16 Ian Middlemist, evangelist at Hill Park Church, Haverfordwest, took last Sunday’s service in which he preached on the final verses of Acts chapter 3. His sermon began by saying that too easily we give way to the culture around us. However, Peter says we are not to do this. Our God has a great plan – it’s about having an encounter with the risen Jesus Christ. Ian’s sermon raised three points:

Receiving Christ The Sent Christ and Restoring all things.

Christ must be received into heaven before He is sent. The author of life was killed – without Christ there is no life (Hebrews 1). He was murdered on a cross. But the wonderful truth is death could not hold Him. He is risen. Jesus then revealed Himself to His disciples. Later they saw Him ascend into heaven. Jesus told them to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. This was still not the end – the church grew and the name of Jesus Christ spread into the world. We are still waiting for more to come. Jesus Christ is now seated at the right hand of God. He sits. He has completed His work of Salvation. He sits as a perpetual reminder than sin has been dealt with. He sits because He is reigning. He is not simply the king of the church but He is king of the universe, the King of Kings. All authority in heaven and earth has been given to Him.

Christ sends His disciples and preachers into the world. They respond to His call to share the Gospel which is spoken with Holy Spirit authority. Peter quotes Moses (v. 22). Moses didn’t just speak about the coming of Christ, Moses was like Christ. The Israelite’s were crippled under the reign of pharaoh, not unlike the cripple at the gates. Peter draws our attention to the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only one to give us hope – not Moses or anyone else. Too often we hear the voice of the community around us who want nothing to do with the future, with the second coming. They want to hear about now. Our purpose is not to reform society. Peter says it is to give the message of repentance. The people around us don’t need our help, they need the gospel. Christ has defeated death, sin and Satan. He has truly secured a victory.

Everything in history is leading up to when Jesus will be sent. The great event creation is moving towards. Is Jesus coming again – that’s the answer for this world. He will come ‘with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God.’ (1 Thessalonians 4:16). He will come to restore all things. We are waiting for Christ, for His second coming. Jesus is coming very soon!

January 31st 2016- Morning Service

Published on February 6, 2016 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

Our guest speaker on Sunday was Gaius Douglas of Calvary Church, Haverfordwest, who read 2 Peter chapter 3, preaching on the final verse.

He told us to study and the Word of God and never be ashamed of it. We need to share the Word of God, share what God has done in our lives, how He has transformed our life. Rejoice in the things of Christ, live for Him and glorify His name. Spread the excitement, the thrill of Christ (Song of Solomon, chapter 5).

Peter wants us to grow in Christ. In his writing he often uses the word ‘precious.’ Is Jesus precious to you? We are precious in His sight. God looked upon us in Grace, He reached out to us and sent His Son so we could share everything that is precious to Him. Peter was writing to believers in Babylon. He wanted them to stir up in remembrance of the things that God had done. Peter always had something to say, he was the mouthpiece of the disciples.

Peter encourages us to grow in Grace, Ephesians 2: ‘By Grace ye are saved, not of works, lest any man should boast.’ Christ made it possible for us to be saved and forgiven. We deserved death but we have had the gift of Grace. He has clothed us in garments of Salvation, in His righteousness. We can now go right into the throne room. We belong to Christ. John 1:11-12. We are ‘the sons of God.’ We have been brought in by Grace, now we need to grow in Grace.

When we know the Lord Jesus Christ and allow the Spirit to appropriate His Grace in us, we will grow not only in God but also with man.

Sunday 17th January 2016 – Morning Service

Published on January 17, 2016January 20, 2016 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

Aaron-Jan16

Our guest speaker on Sunday was Aaron Whitfield Davies of Calvary Church, Haverfordwest. He continued the study of Philippians, preaching from the first five verses of chapter 2.

He reminded us that Paul was encouraging the believers in how the Gospel had powerfully worked in their lives and how they needed to stand for the marvellous good news and ultimately how they were to live by this good news.

Paul wants us to live out the Gospel, this amazing good news about Jesus. Let our life look more and more like Jesus. Christianity, in the true Biblical way, is a Christ of knowledge, a Christ of experience and a Christ of evidence. Christianity has to be known, felt and seen. It must be experienced in our hearts. We have minds to know the truth, it must be seen. We must know the truths, experience the truths and live the truths out. Romans 12.

Jesus said people will know we are His disciples by the love we have for others, the evidence of a changed life, the evidence that has changed the sinner into a child of God. It is not easy, it’s challenging. The unity of the trinity is described here. Our God is the mystery of three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. There is unity in the Godhead, a perfect love, one for another. If there wasn’t unity in the Godhead we wouldn’t have Salvation. The love is so rich, so perfect, a marvellous mystery. This is the example we follow. He is the highest, the greatest, most glorious. Because there is the glorious unity in the Godhead we need to be like-minded, of one accord, of one mind. The true church is united. As God’s people we must put aside our differences. If we do not find it easy to love someone we must ask God’s help. We are all sinners saved by Grace. The very beginning of the church came in unity, The Holy Spirit always comes in unity; unity in truth, unity in Christ.

True Christianity is the whole man. It changes us into a new creation in Christ Jesus. It is born by the Spirit of God, changed on the inside and seen as different on the outside. God changes our hearts and minds. We can’t do this ourselves.

The life of love is a miracle of new birth. God works in us (v.13). It is the veins of the church.

Jesus was love itself. He is the altogether Holy One. No-one could have lived such a pure, glorious life, full of love, unless they were God. His life outshines all. Because His life was the perfect life He was the only one who could cover our unworthy life. His righteousness is the only righteousness. Jesus was absolutely perfect.

Sunday 10th January 2016 – Morning Service

Published on January 10, 2016January 16, 2016 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

Sunday’s morning service was taken by evangelist Ian Middlemist who preached from Acts chapter 3, focusing on two of the blessings of God: sins blotted out if we repent and times of refreshing.

Sins blotted out if we repent:

There is no good deed we need to do to accomplish Salvation, we just need to be a sinner and know our need of Jesus Christ. God chooses people such as us, He holds out His grace for us and calls to us to turn and receive His blessings. They are not just one off blessings, they continue on and on. Our sins are blotted out. This speaks of total annihilation (Revelation 3:5). Our names will be in the Book of Life for evermore. God no longer recognises sin in us, it has been blotted out, covered in the blood of Christ. It is costly; Jesus’ death was the most costly (Isaiah 43:25).

We need to turn away from sin. God doesn’t blot out everybody’s sin, there must be repentance. We remember our past sins, the evils committed against us and from us. The devil uses this to dishearten us. When we are filled with doubts caused by the devil, look again to the cross. This is why we come regularly to the Lord’s Table, to remember again His precious love towards us (Psalm 32).

Times of refreshing:

This world makes us weary. We have to be refreshed. God has promised us times of refreshment as we hear the Gospel. The Lord is the source of our refreshment. Turn to Him and then you can face tomorrow. Trust in Christ alone, start trusting in Him. Refreshment is the recovery of breath after exhaustion, it is also the cooling and relief from heat. It is the sense of relief that comes from the knowledge of removal of sin, the removal of guilt. It is spiritual refreshment. Rest in Him. Seek His refreshment.

There is no greater burden on the soul than the feeling of guilt. God has seen our failings and dealt with it entirely appropriately. Hold onto Christ to know His blessings, the times of refreshment. Although the Author of Life was killed, we are still called ‘brothers.’ The Gospel tells us we have total forgiveness.

3rd January 2016 – Morning Service

Published on January 3, 2016 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

jan-peteKillingley It was lovely to welcome back Pete Killingley into the pulpit after an absence of over three years. Pete is now pastor of Send Evangelical Church, Surrey. His message came from Mark chapter 1: 14-20, where Jesus calls the fishermen to follow Him.

The four disciples had no idea what they would follow or the cost of this to their lives, or that 2000 years later there would be billions of followers of Jesus. What does it mean to follow Jesus today? What does the call mean?

There are three points to be considered:

Follow, whoever you are
Follow, whatever it costs
Follow, wherever it takes you.

Whoever you are: verses 16-20

Three of the four fishermen Jesus called made up Jesus’ inner crowd who were invited to key events in His life; all four became His closest friends. They were fishermen. Jesus wants a community of followers, He didn’t go to the synagogue for Bible experts, He went and called people who were fishermen, not high up in society, not academic (Acts 4:13). This tells us Jesus calls ordinary men and women, one by one. This is grace in action. They didn’t choose Jesus, He chose them. He chooses the ones He wants. Faith is a gift of God, it is all of Grace. You don’t have to be holier than others to be a Christian, you can have a chequered past. He calls us to come just as we are, He calls us to follow, whoever we are. None of us are qualified to be followers of Jesus.

To follow, whatever the cost

The disciples left behind their jobs, they left behind their families – which was something shocking for the time. They gave up their whole lives (Mark 10:28), it was risky. What does following Jesus look like for us today? Becoming a Christian is not identical to what it was for the disciples. We don’t have to leave our jobs and families. However, there is a cost. It changes everything. Jesus says in Mark 8: 34-35 that those who follow Him ‘he must deny himself and take up His cross.’ We have to obey God as revealed in the Bible. We have to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit. We have to follow God before ourselves, putting others before ourselves. We also need to be prepared for suffering. Every day it costs us, we have been bought with a price; it might be that there is a cost to our time or to our popularity. If it never costs your anything you need to question how committed you are to Christ. Jesus calls everyone who follows Him to go all in.

A call to follow wherever it takes you

Jesus wanted the fishermen to become fishers of men. The fishermen did not catch a single fish without His help. Jesus here compares fishing for fish and fishing for men. There is a comparison in spreading the nets and spreading the message as widely as possible. Jesus brings fish into the nets and people to the gospel. He provides the fish; the same is true for us – we are to spread the Word, Jesus will provide the people. We have to be faithful in spreading the nets. We are all called to be fishermen to spread the gospel. The disciples had no idea they were called to death, only John survived to old age. Jesus calls us to follow Him. We have no idea where this will lead us, what we are letting ourselves in for. But we know God loves us; He sent His Son to die for us on the cross. Surely we can trust Him. Following Jesus, whether geographical or in a relationship, means taking the message of Jesus to men. Are we engaged in this mission? Follow Him and receive 100 fold blessings and eternal life.

Sunday 27th December – Morning Service

Published on December 27, 2015December 28, 2015 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

Yesterday we were joined by Norman Gilbert of Cosheston who preached from Jude, focusing on the last two verses.

He began by asking us, “As we set put on a New Year, what is our hope?”

Hebrew 12:1-2 we need to out our faith in Jesus Christ and turn away from the things that will hinder us. Go forward so that Christ lives in us. In Christ alone we will get through 2016.

We are in a war but we cannot lose, we are in a race but we will finish it. God will preserve us. God will present us.

Jude, a half- brother of our Lord Jesus Christ, wrote this epistle to deal with the problems that had crept into the church 2,000 years ago. Yet it is still relevant today. Jude wanted to warn the church of problems. The church speaks not just about the people who are religious, it talks of a body, including different denominations, there is only one church, one body. There is only one entrance – through faith in Jesus Christ, by repentance. Jude was concerned about the church not being caught up in false teaching. The church needs to stand as one body, to stand up against false teachers. We need to take care, to hang on to the faith that was once delivered to the saints. Scripture isn’t about change and new things; be alert, be careful of new thinking, of people who want to move away from the Word. Look around at those who need help, who need evangelising. We face an enemy who can cause havoc in the church of Jesus Christ. We can’t continue the Christian walk on our own. As we go into 2016 God’s Grace will work out in our lives.

We’ll have troubles, we may have doubts and disagreements and do things we’ll be ashamed of. If it’s down to us we won’t get through. We’re fighting a battle but as a Christian we have such great resources at our disposal. We have confidence that we will have victory. We need to look to the captain of our salvation. We have a guarantee we’ll make it. Satan wants to make us feel inadequate, a failure, a hopeless case. But Christ is able to establish us. Jude shows us we will be sustained. God’s Grace will be sufficient to keep us through. Our hope is founded in Him. He is able to keep us because He lives to make intercession for us.

The path won’t be easy in 2016 but, without any shadow of a doubt, He will keep us. He preserves us. We are to evangelise. In times of darkness His Grace will be sufficient. He will preserve us to Glory. He will present us faultless before His throne. He forgives us our sins so the slate is clean. Christ’s blood is able to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We will be presented blameless in the presence of His Glory. We can glorify and worship Him. His power and divine authority is more than able to keep us.

Christmas Day 2015

Published on December 25, 2015December 28, 2015 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

Our Christmas morning service was led by Reverend Doctor Gareth Edwards who preached from Matthew 1:18-25 –the uniqueness of Christmas. It is both a mystery and a miracle; it is a mystery, not a secret, which confounds our minds. It is a miracle in that Jesus was not a mere baby who was naturally conceived but rather begotten by the Holy Spirit, the birth of a sinless man. No other event is as significant as the birth of Jesus. Here is the hope for all humanity.
The birth of Jesus is unique. Both Matthew and Luke emphasise the truth of the virgin birth. The virgin birth draws our attention to the uniqueness of Jesus’ birth. He is unique in being untarnished by sin, His birth was like no other. Whenever a child is born there is great excitement. In the virgin birth God the Son became a man. We celebrate, we rejoice in the virgin birth.
Matthew tells us Jesus is Immanuel – God with us. It is a great mystery how humanity and divinity can be united in one person. He is fully man and fully God, so utterly unique. It is essential that His uniqueness being the God Man provides our salvation. The just wrath of God requires punishment of sin. Who could bear such eternal punishment on our behalf? No-one but the almighty Himself. Who could take responsibility for our sin? It had to be a man who represented man. An angel or other being could not stand in our place. It had to be a perfect man, a man without sin to be a sacrifice on our behalf. In becoming a man the Son of Man identified with us and became our representative. Adam was our first representative, our federal head. But when he fell in sin, we all fell in sin with him. He brought death. But God sent a new federal head, one without sin yet who paid the penalty of sin. He brings us salvation and freedom from sin. He paid our debt.
For the world, Jesus’ birth was an unknown event, yet it shaped the whole of history. The real cause for celebrating Christmas is God sent Jesus to be our Saviour. The world celebrates with no understanding of the uniqueness of the birth of Jesus, its celebrations are empty.
It was our joy to share in Jeremy’s and Megan’s wedding. We had a personal involvement. Through Grace, Christians know Jesus personally. This is the reason for our rejoicing.

Sunday 13th December 2015 – Morning Service

Published on December 13, 2015December 14, 2015 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

Sunday morning worship was led by John Gobbi of Calvary Church, Haverfordwest, who preached from Ephesians chapter 1: 1-12 basing his sermon on “Accepted by the Beloved.”

John told us that we are not accepted by the Beloved for going to chapel, making an offering or doing good deeds. Christ accepts us. He loves us with an everlasting love. The Lord Jesus loves us so much His arms were out-stretched for us on the cross.

The apostle Paul should not have been accepted by the Beloved; he made havoc of the church (Acts 7:58), throwing men and women into prison. He stood happy watching Stephen being stoned to death. Yet the Lord met him on the road to Damascus at noon time, the glory of the Lord shone on him and spoke to him. It was an incredible conversion. It’s a miracle when God meets with us in His Grace, kindness and patience and causes us to know Him.

It’s amazing that the Lord was born into humanity, living a perfect life. Pilot found no fault in Him. The thief on the cross found him perfect. A legion of angels could have rescued Him but His concern was for us and His love does not change. His love is always towards us. Do we daily seek His face? We are His workmanship. He started the work and is going to finish that work. We are greatly loved and highly favoured, accepted in the Beloved. Therefore, we should know His peace – peace with the Father and peace with the Son. Amazing! We are the church, the Bride of Christ.

What if you decided not to be accepted by the Beloved? If we reject Christ, where can we go? We are living in a time of Grace, we need to give our heart to the Lord Jesus. Do you feel accepted in the Beloved? Are you secure in Him? He sets us apart, we are a different people. Keep praying for those who reject Christ. You need to know His strength, His forgiveness.

Sunday 29th November – Morning Service

Published on November 29, 2015November 29, 2015 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

ianJones

This morning we welcomed Ian Jones who preached from Luke chapter 16, verses 19-end, The parable of the rich man and the beggar. Ian began by telling us that if there’s one thing we can take for granted it is that we are going to die. The Pharisees took for granted where they would spend eternity, they judged by outward appearance. Jesus was speaking to Pharisees who thought to be rich was a sign of God’s blessing. They mistakenly believed that to be rich or a descendant of Abraham automatically gave them the right to spend eternity with God. But the Lord told them this parable to show God is not like Man and looks not on outward appearance but the changed heart. The parable was to show the Pharisees how wrong they had got it.

In the parable we see the contrast between the rich man and the beggar Lazarus – an exaggerated contrast. We see extreme differences in their respective positions. One is very rich, one is very poor. One has every reason to live whilst the other has nothing to live for in this world. The rich man was clothed in purple which was worn only by royalty. It was very expensive and very rare. Here is a man who was out to impress others. He wore fine linen, the kind of garment worn as under-clothes next to the skin, worn by a man wanting to feel good about himself. He fed sumptuously, living an extravagant, luxurious lifestyle. The beggar Lazarus sat outside the rich man’s gate, a large, ornamental gate showing the man would have had a large, extravagant house. We know what the man wore, what he ate – all about his outward appearance but nothing about his character.

Likewise, we are told nothing about the beggar’s character, just his outward appearance. He was laid at the rich man’s gate, illustrating that he was crippled. The man was full of sores and had no comfort. He had an awful lifestyle having to beg. He received very little, longing to eat the crumbs from the rich man’s table.

The extremes come to a head when the beggar and the rich man die. The beggar died and was carried by angels to Abraham’s bosom. Nothing is mentioned of a burial, he was probably thrown on a rubbish heap and forgotten. In contrast, the rich man was buried. This would have been a state affair with people speaking about what he had achieved in his lifetime. Lazarus accomplished nothing but the rich man accomplished so much.

But the twist comes after death. Jesus tells us where the rich man and the poor man go, which is opposite to what people would have thought. They expected the beggar to go to hell and the rich man to go to heaven. This would have been a shock to the Pharisees. Today we are no different to the Pharisees, often making assumptions on outward appearances.

Why are we given the name of the poor man? Possibly it is because he was known by God. When we are told a person’s name in Scripture it is because it is important. God knew this man, he was important to God as an individual. God’s love was shown to him. It is a wonderful thing to know that a believer will be carried to the Lord when they die. Pain and suffering will be gone. When he died the rich man saw Abraham afar. The Pharisees looked to Abraham believing they were his descendants and this assured them a place in heaven. The rich man asked for mercy but it was too late. His position was fixed in torment. We see a view of life after death given by Jesus. The rich man asked for Lazarus to go back to earth to warn his five brothers but they had Moses and the prophets. They had the Word of God.

How is it for us today? It is easy for us to assume we will all end up in heaven if we live a good life. But we cannot take things for granted. Are we known to God or not? We came into this world as sinners. If we carry on in this way we will have an eternal existence without God. But if we want Christ in our lives and live day to day for Him we will have eternity with Christ.