Services – Penuel Baptist Chapel, Roch

March 8th 2026: Tom Baker

Published on March 21, 2026 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

To watch this service click on the link to our YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/wDJuO92vaoc?si=Ga6ERpMKeopystd-

Genesis 9: Blessing and curse

At the end of Genesis 9 we have the tragic statement concerning Noah “and he died” which brings us back to the genealogy recorded in Genesis 5 where this phrase is repeated throughout. Genesis is a book of genealogies about which we also get some important prophetic stories. We are in the realms of the new world. Things have started afresh. Creation has been renewed. The old has been swept and washed away, behold all things are made new. But is this ‘happily ever after’? Well sort of but not quite yet. There is an awful end to this history which we read of at the end of Genesis 9. There are really sad events recorded here and yet there is still a bright future ahead. Although at the end we read of a curse, yet there is still the hope of blessing here too. There are more dark days to come as we read of in Genesis 10 and 11 but nevertheless there is this bright future coming too. One day all will be truly good and right. For now in Genesis 9 we have a new start and there is hope despite the fact it all ends in tears. Noah’s new world is not quite the end, and yet the real fulfilment is coming. So in Genesis 9 we see blessings and we see the curse once again. Near the end of Deuteronomy 30 Moses spoke to the Israelites calling heaven and earth as witness and offered them life and death, blessing and curse, and ends by appealing for them to choose life, for the Lord is their life. The same is true for us today. The Lord Jesus offers us the same. We must respond to this call of Christ. So here in Genesis 9 we shall consider these two things. First we have the blessings which come in the first nineteen verses. And then we have the curse which features from verse 20 onward.

[1] Blessing.

In Genesis 9:1 we see the general blessing we observed at the end of Genesis 8 being particularised to man. All that had gone wrong in the world was on account of man and his sin and waywardness. It was all man’s fault. So since man was at fault why then does God bring blessing to man? Yet he does. This is astonishing. There are further clues to this blessing in Genesis 9:2,3. Man’s place is restored in creation, for he is once again given dominion and charge over creation. Order has been restored. In Genesis 6 there was disorder. The order that God had made was like this: God ruled over all, man was under God’s authority and ruled over creation. But in his sin and rebellion the order was flipped. Man served creation and demanded that God come under his rule and governance. Do we not see this today? People worship and serve creation or the environment and expect God to do as they demand. People argue that God ought to do as they think rather than sit under the authority of God’s perfect rule. The truth is that God rules. He is good. He is sovereign. We are His creatures made in His image and so we must come under His authority. He has called us to do all His commands and to have dominion over all of creation. And so here in Genesis 9 the right order has been re-created. This is a tremendous blessing. And then in Genesis 9:6 we get another hint of blessing, for man is made in the image of God. We may disfigure the image of God, but it is still there. Even when the disfigurement is gross, the image is still there. There is a dignity in human life on account of who has made it. Mention of blood is key here too, for only by blood can a life be purchased. This is also a clue to future redemption in Christ, for only in blood can life continue. The covenant is reaffirmed in Genesis 9:9. never again will all flesh be cut off and never again will water cover the entire earth. God seeks to bless! Man deserved the judgment that was passed, and still man is sinful and had a wicked imagination, and yet the Lord promises not to flood the earth ever again. The covenant was to be established with a sign: the rainbow. This rainbow in the clouds is a light shining amidst a dark place. Why does this visible sign matter? Well imagine the traumatic things that Noah had been through. All flesh was wiped out and died. Noah was trapped in a box for a year and ten days. What do you think Noah may have felt and thought when a rain cloud appeared in the sky? He might have thought: ‘things are going bad again, will God judge us once more’? And then he sees the rainbow in the clouds and he knows that God has promised not to do as He has done. The bow in the sky brought rest. God will not judge! Now this bow in the sky points us clearly to the Lord Jesus on the cross. Where the bow in the cloud was a sign indicating no more condemnation, the cross is the means by which this has come about. For on the cross of Christ judgment was passed on Him who knew no sin and life has been offered to all who believe. Christ swallowed up death, took all the punishment, and brought life. When you see the rainbow in the cloud it is not just a promise that the Lord will not flood the whole world, but that the coming of the Saviour will be the great sign and seal of salvation. There will be dark clouds ahead, but remember the rainbow! Light shines in the darkness. The bow shines brightly on the day of darkness and declares that God loves us.

[2] Curse.

Genesis 9:18 gives us a clue to this idea of a curse, for Ham is the father of Canaan. Noah is presented to us as a kind of new Adam or a second Adam. This is tragic. He seems to repeat the same errors and mistakes the first Adam made. Noah finds himself in a type of garden as Adam was in Eden. He has all the blessings of this setting. He meets with God through sacrifice but then in Genesis 9:20 we read that he was ‘a man of the soil,’ or ‘a man of the ground.’ Some translations have “farmer” here but this misses the point that Noah having been shown the bow in the clouds above, now focuses his attention on the ground, which had been cursed. The ground that man as taken out of at first, and on account of sin was made to return (dust to dust). Man was taken out of the ground and made into a living being and given great blessings, but he sinned and so had to return to the dust of ground and be uncreated. And now Noah has drawn himself down back to the ground. In Genesis 9:20 we find Noah making a vineyard, and so grows grapes. We thus seeing him take of the fruit (just as Adam and the Woman did), and he makes use of it in a wrong way, in a way he ought not to have, and then he becomes naked and ashamed. So here we see Noah falling just as Adam had done. Now one of his sons acted badly and this ended up in spawning a curse for his son, Canaan (Genesis 9:24). But there is comfort here, for in Genesis 8:21 we learnt that despite the sinfulness of man the covenant of God is everlasting. What will be is determined upon God’s heart and will, and not upon what man may do. The Lord was fully aware of Ham’s sin and Noah’s fall, and yet still there is hope – hope lived out in Noah’s other two sons, Shem and Japheth. These two sons provide a covering for Noah’s shame. They take the responsibility for something which was not theirs to take. Isn’t this remarkable? Christ bore the penalty for the sins which we have committed and have a responsibility for. So Shem and Japheth seek to cover Noah and seek to put things right. As a result they are both blessed both with a multitude of descendants and with the very presence of God. Adam was told of the promise of a Saviour who will take the responsibility for the sin of mankind. Now Shem and Japheth act in a similar way, although this is not the final end to the story. What they do is a picture of, and a pointer to, what Christ has done at Calvary. We need Noah who brought us out of darkness into new life. But really we need someone who is better than Noah. We need someone like Shem and Japheth to cover our nakedness and shame. But in reality we need someone better than Shem and Japheth who will cover sin and shame eternally in a universal way.

Genesis 9 ends with Noah dying – tragic. But there is a bigger story of which Noah (and Shem and Japheth) are but a small part. This bigger story is unfolding. God reigns still and in the fullness of time He will send the real seed of the woman who will completely undo the curse and will usher in lasting blessings. This One has come! Christ has come and has risen! He has borne all the worst sin and horrors of wickedness that we have committed, and has dealt with them fully and finally. He has borne these on the cross. Our sins are done with – completely. Noah’s sons tried their best but could not do what was fully required. But Christ has come for our salvation and will come again to make all things new where the true and final rest will be found.

March 1st 2026: Tom Baker

Published on March 21, 2026 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

To watch this service, click on the link to our YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/CRAlVfLYMmU?si=Pn_PwqHIwLvFFAyf

Genesis 8: All things new

The days of Noah were dark days but there was a bright future. There were people reaching for forbidden fruit and everything was falling apart in the world, and yet there was also a glimmer of hope in Noah. We live in very similar times. Moses, who compiled Genesis, gives us certain clues in the text which show forth this hope amidst the horror. Our Lord Jesus spoke of Noah’s day and said that when He would return it would be just like the days of Noah. People would strive after the things of this world only, and they were grasping at things they shouldn’t have grasped at. And then Noah was called to make the way of escape, of salvation. Now we too are called to get into the ark, but this time our ark is Christ Jesus Himself. We are called to come out of the old world doomed to death and destruction, and to enter in to the ark which is Christ.

We have two graphic pictures here. First, we have our great need for salvation. There was gross wickedness which deserved judgment out of which man needed rescue. These were real historical events that we read of in Genesis but they also paint a picture of what the world is truly like in all ages. Second, we have two pictures of how this salvation from judgment was to be accomplished. Noah is placed for us in the text as a righteous man who leads others to safety. Then also we have the ark which bore the full force of the waters of judgment given to us as a type of Christ too. Now in Genesis 8 we have a new picture. Again we have real historical events that actually happened, but we are also taught something about the goal or end of salvation. Where does it all lead to? What happens when the rain stops? What comes after judgement? Well, the answer is: to a place where everything is made new. This scratches an itch we all experience doesn’t it? We often look for a fresh new start when things have gone wrong don’t we? Do we not feel like this old dead world that is destined for destruction? And do we not have this thought: ‘there must be more to life’? There is this inner desire for a fresh start, to make all things new. We don’t often get this chance to make a fresh start. Often we have to continue with the disaster we have all around us. But there is always this wish that things will be made new. Well of course the Scriptures give us the response to this longing. The Lord is making all things new.

How do things turn out for Noah and the ark?

The first thing we read of in Genesis 8 is that God “remembered” Noah (Genesis 8:1). At the end of Genesis 7 everything dies and was wiped off the face of the earth. But Noah was in the ark on the surface of the flood waters. Did Noah think that God had forgotten him? In relation to the entire globe covered in water, Noah and the ark were simply a tiny box floating on the surface. Even large tankers out on the Atlantic ocean are no match for the waters and seem insignificant. So was Noah worried that God had forgotten him? Well God had most certainly not forgotten him! It was impossible for God to forget Noah. After all it was God who called Noah to build the ark and gather the animals. And it was God who secured Noah and his family in the ark. Remember that Noah had found grace and so was favoured of the Lord. How could God forget the one whom He had called and instructed. This opening verse of Genesis 8 is an encouragement to us. God is mindful of His people. He thinks upon them always. It is not possible for the omniscient God to forget! What about us? Who are we? Does God forget us and abandon us? What is man that God should be mindful of him? We may be small and insignificant, just as Noah and the ark were on the water covered earth. Yet God remembers me, and you. He takes thought of you as He did of Noah and the ark.

What was the new world like?

In Genesis 1:2 we have an unformed and unfilled watery mass which speaks of the raw materials from which God created all things. Now here in Genesis 8 the old created order has been judged and we have another watery mass once again. Then we read that God made a “wind” to blow on the waters to make them recede (Genesis 8:1). The word for “wind” can also be rendered as “Spirit.” So we have the same situation we read of in Genesis 1. In Genesis 1 the Spirit hovers over the watery mass, and here in Genesis 8 we have the wind (the Spirit) blowing the eaters to cause them to recede. So here in Genesis 8 we have a kind of recreation. Later on we read about a dove being sent out. The dove is a symbol for the Holy Spirit. So Moses, in recounting the revealed history of the flood, gives us hints along the way to show that God is doing the same type of work – creation. The God who made the raw materials at first and then made all things from those raw materials is now re-creating this new world. See also that signs of life emerge. We have the olive branch brought back by the dove. We have the land appearing once again like it did in the original creation. We have the waters being bounded and sent to their original place once again. All these things are meant to remind us of how God created in the beginning. Note also that the dove is sent out after a seven day period. Further, that the ark rested on the mountains. The ark finally comes to its grounded resting place. The floating zoo is like a second little Eden. The world eventually dries out and then when the ark is opened an abundance of life bursts forth to spread out over the new world. Thus we have a new world. All of this is a picture pointing us towards the new heaven and the new earth to come.

Noah is presented to us as another Adam. He is the head over creation. This points us to the true second and last Adam, Christ Jesus the Lord. What does Noah do? He plays the part as-it-were of the first Adam. He leads his people out into the new earth (Genesis 8:16). As Noah obeys the Lord doing all that

He commanded, we see the blessing of his obedience is passed on to the others who follow him (Genesis 8:18). In genesis 8:17 we see that Noah is (like Adam) ruler over the animals. The animals went out according to their families over the earth (Genesis 8:19). So Noah is pictured as lord of creation and brings the animals out at the command of the Lord. Noah also leads his people (his family) straight away to the throne of God, for the first thing he does is to build an altar and offer burnt offerings (Genesis 8:20). When Noah made this offering the Lord was pleased with it (Genesis 8:21). Noah is acting like a priest. He brings people into the new world and into the presence of God through sacrifice. They find real life here. It appears that the Lord was delighted with this action. In the same way we see also the Lord Jesus Christ as our high priest whose sacrifice leads us into the new creation. It is through Christ’s sacrifice that we are granted new life. Even though we do not inhabit this new heavens and earth, through His once-for-all sacrifice we are made new creatures. The Lord was pleased to bruise our Saviour and delights in the sacrifice made. God the Father is thrilled for Christ our Pioneer leads the way to glory through His sacrificial gift.

A new and lasting hope.

In Genesis 1 & 2 we read of life and blessings. In Genesis 3 to 6 we read of death and the curse. In Genesis 7 we read of judgement. In Genesis 8 we read of life and blessing once more. Noah is commanded to be fruitful and to multiply (Genesis 8:17). Note that the Lord gives order in the seasons once again. For a year and ten days the world has been covered in water. But now there will be seed-time and harvest, winter and summer to order life on this new earth (Genesis 8:22). The ancient blessing of God cannot be overturned or undone. His delight in Christ never ends, so His plan and His blessings in Christ will never end. What the Lord had done in and through Noah and the ark, prefigures what He will do perfectly in Christ, so this new creation will not suffer such a judgement again and the seasons will remain true. See how this promise to continue the new world is offered despite the fact that “the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Genesis 8:21). The everlasting covenant is not based upon the works of man. Our sin does not stop the blessing of God. He has made a way whereby the sin is once and forever judged and a new order is made.

A word of application.

How shall we respond to these thoughts? Well make sure that you are on the ark, which is Christ. Make sure that you partake of the new world to come through the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ which is pictured here wonderfully in the ark which preserved creation amidst the judgment of God by the waters of the flood. Do not remain in this old world of sin and corruption. Do not be content with this cursed world and earth. It is destined for destruction (although next time by fire). Make sure that you enter the ark which I Christ, for in Him is true salvation and safety.

February 8th 2026: Tom Baker

Published on February 11, 2026 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

Genesis 7: A Call to a better life.

To watch this service, please click on the link to our YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/T2PIOUuplTY?si=KriiPfn2wKbNS1bj

In Genesis 6 we saw that the days in which Noah lived were dark days but they had a bright future. This is the same for us. We live in dark days but there is a bright future too. Society in Noah’s day was sinful in many ways that permeated throughout the culture. And the same is true today. The choices people make are everywhere apart from any thought of God, whether it be in personal life or in professional life or even in leadership. And yet in the midst of the days when Noah lived there was a bright future, for whilst the world was amidst death and destruction, violence and corruption, Noah found favour with God and walked with Him. What the world offered was boring really, for it all ended in death, corruption, and violence. But in stark contrast Noah, whose name means ‘rest,’ had peace with God and received from Him life. In the world there was no hope. But with Noah we see a hope built upon the revelation that he received from God.

Now in Genesis 7 we have effectively a call to enter into a better life. In the world there was nothing but death, destruction, corruption and violence, but in Noah we find one commissioned to build the ark. In Genesis 7:1 we find the call to go into the ark, and we have the same situation today. All around us is corruption, violence, death and destruction but the Lord calls us to enter into the ‘ark’ (which is Christ).

Note here the great patience of God. There was darkness and degradation all around from the sin that pervaded the world, but the Lord had made a way for salvation in the ark. In Noah and the ark the Lord spared creation and brings it through judgment, for whilst all was to be destroyed, those within the ark would be safe. In Genesis 7:4 we find that the Lord waited for a period of seven days before sending the forty days and nights of rain. Seven is the number of completion or perfection. The Lord gave a perfect time of waiting in patience so that people could heed the call. This was a week of grace. Judgment is coming but not yet, there is still time, and so God displays His perfect patience that none may object.

There is also a sense of urgency here in this chapter. You must get into the ark. But even though the perfect patience of God waits, yet none come to the ark save Noah and his family. Noah was “a preacher of righteousness” (2Peter 2:5) calling out to people that judgment was coming, but still none came. The people of that age seemed to have had a real deep and settled commitment to staying in the darkness. The Lord Jesus declared this truth about the time when He appeared:

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:19).

But the same was true in Noah’s day, and the same is true in our time as well. Psalm 1:1 speaks of this downward progression in darkness. Fallen man first walks in “the counsel of the ungodly,” and then he “stands in the path of sinners,” before finally he “sits in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1). People get comfortable in their sins. They associate with others who reinforce their comfort zones. And so no one paid any attention to Noah or to God’s word. Is this the same today? Are people comfortable in their sinful lifestyles? We pause and reflect how great a salvation we have that the Lord brings many up out of the pit of sin and death! The Lord is so patient! He has waited since the dawn of time before bringing the just judgment we deserve. And at the very centre of history He demonstrated both the need for this judgment and the way of rescue and redemption, for Christ bore our sin in full on Calvary. This displayed the need for judgment against all sin and the means by which we may be reconciled! We must get into the ark (i.e. Christ). Just as the ark bore the full brunt of the waters of judgment from beneath and from above so too did Christ bear judgment for sin both from the Father and the world of men.

In the brief time we have left this morning I want to look at what life was like outside the ark and contrast this with life inside the ark.

[1] Outside the ark.

The picture outside the ark is one characterised by death and destruction. The world was a violent and corrupt place. But the judgment that is about to fall meant that all living flesh were to die. Everything that had life was to be snuffed out and all of creation was to be ripped apart. In our world today life without Christ is a life of decay, disaster, disease and death. Lives are failing, crumbling, and ultimately end in death. The passage we have read leaves us with no uncertainty about what life outside the ark was like. There is utter devastation. Every form of life was blotted out and wiped from the face of the earth. All the high and highest mountains were overspread with water to a depth of 15 cubits (about 22 or 23 feet). All flesh died, whether it be birds, creeping things, livestock and cattle, or men, women, and children. No life would survive. We might think of terrible disasters that occur in the world from time to time such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and so on. But even those these are terrible yet still some may survive, or at least certain areas are left unaffected. But with this flood there is no escape whatsoever. Outside the ark meant total devastation, destruction, and death. The same is true for the coming judgment. For those who are not in Christ will face the judgment of fire which will bring complete and utter destruction.

Now this devastation is all as a result of the ‘normal’ way of human wickedness and sin. Sin and rebellion against God always leads to death. As a society we are not as liberated and free as we might like to think. We might think that we can choose our path and do what we will but at the end we all face death and then judgement (Hebrews 9:27). We learn from this passage the true nature of sin and rebellion and what it brings. Let us always remember this, that sinfulness leads to death. I remember visiting a man who was struggling in sin. He said to me ‘the problem is that sin is so lovely and appealing.’ But when we see the outcome of a life of sin, i.e. destruction and death, it will give us pause for reflection. We must look to the cross of Christ. And if we do we shall see what sin does to a person – utter devastation. When sin seems so appealing, bring to mind this truth that sin leads to utter devastation and death.

Notice here that the Holy Spirit has selected language to show that sinfulness (violence and corruption of the world in Noah’s day) is effectively undoing creation. God created the world in seven days and all was good. Here we find that after seven days following the wickedness of sin there would be the flood of judgement so that creation would be broken up and destroyed. The firmament of Genesis 1 which was made to separate the waters above from those below has been undone as-it-were so that destruction and death ensues. Why? Well all of this characterises life outside the ark. This is what happens when people engage in sin and rebellion.

[2] Inside the ark.

What do we find on entering the ark? We find life – real life. This is always the outcome of God’s call to us, to bring us to life (John 10:10). This thought becomes obvious when we look at what Noah and his family entered into. It was a floating zoo. But not like some of the zoos we might go to where you walk around and struggle to see any wildlife because they are all hidden away or camouflaged in the woods and thickets all around. Here the picture is more like the children’s picture books of the ark where all the animals are stuffed together and crammed into a small space. Or think of those pick-n-mix tubs you get. Children cram as many sweets into the tub as they can get in! The ark was a ‘box full of life.’ it was bursting with life, all kinds of life. So the call to Noah was to get into life.

But what is the ark really? Well essentially it is nearness to God. Outside the ark is a fleeing from God and a running into sin and rebellion. But inside the ark it is a getting closer to God. Note that in Genesis 7:2 we read of seven of each of the clean animals were to be brought in. In the popular mind it is only two-by-two, but here we see seven of each of the clean animals are brought in. Why is this? Well there were two-by-two for the purpose of procreation. But there were seven for the purpose of sacrifice. The two-by-two reinforces the idea of the ark being a place of life, for recreation is implied since two animals (male and female) will give rise to many more! But the seven clean animals speaks of sacrifice. Remember that the number seven speaks of completion or perfection, so here is pictured the perfect sacrifice, i.e. the sacrifice of Christ at Calvary.

But there is also another theme which comes across when we look at the ark. It is the place of life, of new life.. It is the place where the perfect sacrifice is to be found, but it is also in many ways a floating church – the assembly of those who believe and who have heard the call of the Lord. Noah is a type of Adam. He was given dominion over the animal kingdom to bring them into the ark. How this was done is surely a wonder! There are clear connections here with thoughts we get in Genesis 1, so that we are meant to think of this as a new start. Inside the ark speaks of a new creation. It all happens after the seven days of God’s perfect patience and it shows forth a box of life. The eighth day is shorthand for new beginnings in Scripture. But what is the eighth day really? It is the first day of a new week, and so also speaks to us of the resurrection of Christ who rose again on that first day! Everything is to be made new through this one man’s action. Everything is to be raised again from destruction and death to life.

Yet another feature of this ark is safety. Note that Genesis 7:16 tells us that the Lord shut them in. How was the door to be closed? The Lord does this and He makes them all safe inside the ark. Since the Lord is outside at this point it is as though He is saying ‘don’t worry Noah, I will shut the door and make you safe inside, and I will bear the brunt of the storm outside.’ Noah and his family were now shut inside and dwelt in a place of safety. They were not yet in the new world. This would not be until a year and ten days time. But they were safe. Do you sometimes think ‘I wish I was in the new heavens and earth!’ Maybe Noah longed for this too as he sat inside. But you are no less secure now than you will be in glory. Noah was as safe in the ark as he would be in the new world. In Genesis 7:18 we read that the ark “floated” on the waters. Those outside suffered destruction and death but the ark was carried along by the waters. It was safe from the storms and turbulence felt by those outside. In Genesis 7:23 we find only one person named (Noah) who survived. But then we read “and those who were with him” were safe and alive. Christ alone is the only one who comes through the judgment. He suffered the full wrath of God for sin and He triumphed! But wonder of wonders, “and those who were with Him” are brought through to safety too. It is those who are “in” Christ who will be saved and see the shores of the new heavens and the new earth.

We do live in dark days just as Noah did. But everything will be fine for there is a bright future. Judgement is coming, but praise God He has commissioned an ark for our salvation. That ark is Christ Jesus the Lord. But we must get into the ark. Outside lies destruction and death. Inside is life! Lamech called his son ‘Noah’ in the hope that he would bring rest. He did in a way, but all of this points us to the only One who brings true rest, Jesus Christ the Lord who declares:

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).

He calls all those burdened and wearied by sin and rebellion to come to Him for perfect rest. We must come into the ark, Christ!

February 1st 2026 – Tom Baker

Published on February 11, 2026 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

Genesis 6: Dark days with a bright future

To watch this service please click on the link to our YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/D16P6biBpWE?si=8uUbVx1mOYfvFJ1l

The book of Genesis is essentially a large family tree with breaks in between revealing the history of certain individuals. Genesis 5 begins with a genealogy that stems from Seth, a son of Adam, and then reaches down to Noah, the son of Lamech, so that in Genesis 6 we have the beginning of Noah’s account. We are going to look at Genesis 6 specifically and will concentrate on two features: the darkness of the days, and the bright future shown within these dark days.

But before we begin let me give you an illustration of what I think is going on here. Recently we went to the aquarium in Bristol. And among the many exhibits there were on display, I was particularly struck by the Mexican blind cave fish. It is only small and pretty drab in appearance being mainly translucent. It has no eyes, only eye sockets. It lives in the cave in darkness and has no concept of light or of colour. If you were able to talk to this Mexican blind cave fish you could not really tell them about what you know because it is all outside of their experience. To such a creature, colour and light are meaningless. The Mexican blind cave fish lives within its own dark world and speaking to it about the world outside the cave would be meaningless to it. Unless they were given eyes to see!

Now this picture is something like what we observe within society in the days of Noah. The people of that age thought they had everything they wanted. They could go after forbidden fruit with freedom. They believed themselves to be enlightened. They were thoroughly independent and indulgent. But in truth as the Lord recounts here in Genesis 6 they were in darkness, in chaos, and without God in the world. They despised God, for they ignored Him and what He had to say. He did not fit into their view of life. Now such was true also of the days of Moses, although not in exactly the same details. The mention of giants and men of renown occurs not just here but in the early history of Israel under Moses and beyond. Obviously, these are not the same groups because the flood destroyed the old world. But it is clear that the outcome or fruit of such sinful and God-hating ways is demonstrated by the giant offspring of the pairing between the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men” (Genesis 6:2,4). Now at the time of Jesus the Lord stated clearly that when He would be about to return, the world would be in very much the same way as found in these days of Noah (Matthew 24:37,38). Nothing has changed. Mankind born in sin if left without restraint will always descend into degradation and wickedness. Modern man here in out country thinks of himself as so enlightened and free, and yet is bent on the pursuit of godless wickedness.

Clearly our passage teaches that judgment is about to come and will not delay, for the flood is coming as promised. We live after this time, after the time when the Lord promised never to flood this world again, but judgement by fire is coming as promised (2Peter 3:10f). We are in the same situation as Noah. We live in a sin-sick world bent on running away from God, and judgment is about to come.

Now the great purpose of this passage in Genesis 6 is to call people to life. That is the whole point of God’s revelation to Noah, the provision of an ark within which salvation may be secured. In the book of Genesis we see at least four origins. We see the origin of the world, the origin of man, the origin of sin, and the origin of God’s chosen people and their salvation. In short the Bible is like the story of a messed-up family. It is something like the Jeremy Kyle show where all the dirty laundry of life is aired for all to see. What is the human family like? We are all Adam’s descendants and so born in sin. And yet into this dysfunctional family is born the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. He was born without sin, of course, but he was truly flesh of our flesh and bone of our bone. How wonderful that in the midst of sin and rebellion we get the promise of One who will crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15)! And so within Genesis we also see one family set aside through whom would come the promised Seed (Genesis 12:7). And out of this promise all the families of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Scripture always guides our focus to the Lord Jesus Christ. Whereas man was given dominion over the earth but sinned and so earned death, which we see clearly in Genesis 5 where we read repeatedly “and he died,” the Lord Jesus – the promised Seed – has come to bring life by His death. As far as man is concerned his contribution is sin out of which flows death. After Adam and Eve sinned we not only see the promise of Genesis 3:15, but the provision by the Lord of garments (slain animals whose blood was shed) to make covering for sin. And then we read of Cain’s shedding the blood of his brother and the outcome of Cain’s descendants, the pride and wickedness of Lamech of Cain. The blood of Abel cried out from the ground against Cain but the blood of Christ speaks of “better things” (Hebrews 12:24). The promise of hope and of light can be seen in such things as the early part of Genesis 5 where there is a recollection of creation placed there in the hope of new beginning. Then also we read of Enoch walking with God which recalls the days before Genesis 3 and the fall suggestive of the possibility of being right with the Lord. So we have here in Genesis 6 an account of the reality of sin and its dreadful effects, but also of the promise of hope and life once more. Whilst there will always be darkness, there is too the promise of light shining in that darkness, a promise of a bright future.

[1] Dark days.

Genesis 6:5 is stark. The Lord saw that man on earth was extremely wicked. The sentences are laboured. The wickedness of mankind was “great,” all the purposes and inner thoughts of mankind’s heart was exclusively wicked (“only evil” i.e. no good), and it was so “continually.” Now this is the first time that we read of God looking at creation since Genesis 1. In Genesis 1 we read that He “saw” and that it was “good,” and “very good.” But now here in Genesis 6:5 the Lord “saw” something very different indeed. He saw that it was deeply, desperately, depressingly evil and wicked. How so? How had this come to be?

Well, the answer to this question is that man had rejected God and had therefore gone his own way, but the outcome of such an action is always on a downward trend or spiral. I do not want us to be distracted about whom the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men” may be here. This discussion will be for another time. Whichever view you take the problem really is a spiritual one. The key point to note here is that these ‘men’ (or fallen angels or demon possessed men), “saw” the women they desired, they saw that such were desirous to them, and so they “took” of any they wanted. Such language at once reminds us of Eve’s deception by the serpent:

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. (Genesis 3:6a).

Boundaries have been crossed here. Eve should not have listened to the serpent. (Adam was culpable too as he should have told his wife to come away). In Genesis 6 boundaries have been crossed. Whatever our view of these two depictions of men and women may be, there is a choice being made here which is opposite to the good and the consequences are dire. Just as Eve listened to the serpent, there is a spiritual wickedness operating in Genesis 6. These people of Noah’s day were trying to engage in the spiritual realm in wickedness. How do we know this? Well listen to the Lord’s first word to the world of that time: “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever” (Genesis 6:3). The Lord was remonstrating with mankind not to do what they were doing.

But how did the Lord view all of this intense wickedness? In Genesis 6:6 we read that “the Lord was sorry” for having made man on earth and that “He was grieved in His heart.” The Lord who made all good was now grieving on account of man’s terrible state and condition. Do we not see the Lord Jesus expressing similar depths of emotion over sin and wickedness (Matthew 23:37)? Now it is also evident that the Lord was going to bring judgment to bear upon this wicked world. But let us remember that He does not do it as a dispassionate judge who has no personal interest in those whom He rightly judges. IS this not a warning to us? Yes we must preach that judgment is coming, but do we do so out of a deep sense of compassion for those to whom we witness? We must proclaim this grief of God over sin and evil. He is grieved so much that He sent His One and Only Son to bear the judgment! Notice too how grieved He feels about the sin and evil. The only solution is to wash it all away (Genesis 6:17). Mankind had corrupted himself to the point that the only solution was to destroy him completely. The Lord saw the depth of mankind’s corruption and evil and said ‘this cannot be.’ And so He destroyed the corruption by the waters of the flood.

But notice too the great patience of God. He does not react to things like we do but is long suffering and patient towards mankind (2Peter 3:9). Every sin committed deserved bucket loads of the water of judgment but these have come after a long time of patient waiting for man to heed Him and turn from His wickedness.

[2] The hope and promise of a bright future in dark days.

God shines light into the darkest places. Is this not what we see when He created the world in the first place? The darkness of initial creation (Genesis 1:2) was not evil nor chaos, but simply the starting point that God had made from which He constructed our world. He made all in the beginning but such were the raw materials (unformed and not yet filled), and then His first act was to create light. This is our God. He brings light into the darkness. And there are always two responses to that. To many the light exposes their darkness and because they love their darkness they recoil. To others the light illuminates their sight to see the truth about themselves and what the Lord is bringing and they are drawn toward it in faith. Scripture is full of this idea of two peoples and two ways. We see it in the position of the line of Cain to Lamech placed beside the line of Seth to Noah. But there are many other illustrations of this division in humanity into the righteous (who are so only by faith) and the wicked.

Look at how the Holy Spirit puts it in our text. We read about the Lord’s intention to destroy all on account of wickedness in Genesis 6:7, and this was because He was “sorry” that He had made man. And then in Genesis 6:8 we read those wonderful words “but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” Hebrews 11:7 tells us that it was “by faith” that Noah was enabled to do all that God commanded him. So Noah by faith in God and all that He had revealed received the grace of God and so he “found grace.” Grace is a gift. It is not something we earn. God is gracious. Praise His name! And Noah was enabled by faith to find this grace.

Noah’s father, Lamech thought it might be through his son that the promised Seed would come. And so he called his son “Noah” because this name means ‘rest,’ for he hoped that “this one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord has cursed” (Genesis 5:29). It is through the grace of God that Noah listened to what the Lord had said to the whole world (Genesis 6:3,7) and was thence “divinely warned” to seek God for more and was thence “moved with godly fear” (Hebrews 11:7).

In Genesis 6:9 we read more about Noah. He is described as a “just man, perfect in his generations,” and he is referred to as one who “walked with God.” Noah, and Noah alone is described in such a way. Obviously as a man born of Adam Noah is so by faith as we have said. But the way in which the Holy Spirit has centred our thoughts upon this one man (who was just and blameless) serves to point us towards the truly Righteous One, the Lord Jesus Christ. Noah walked with God just as Enoch had done, but Christ was One with the Father and did all that the Father willed. And so at the end of Genesis 6 we discover that “Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did” (Genesis 6:22). This is set in such a way to remind us that Christ did all that the Father asked of Him so that He could cry out on the cross “it is finished” (John 17:4; 19:30). Now Noah appears in the Genesis account as a type of person that we have not been presented with before. And so in some ways he is presented to us as a new Adam, and in such a way he serves as a pointer to the true second and last Adam Jesus Christ (1Corinthians 15:45,47).

In Genesis 6:18 we have the first mention of the word “covenant” in Scripture (although this is not the first mention of the idea of covenant which we see in Genesis 2:17). But notice also that this is God’s covenant (“My covenant”). At this point Noah is told that He will go into the ark, for this is the provision of God’s covenant. But, although his family also enter the ark and so benefit too, only Noah is described as a “just man.” We are not told about what his family believed at all. But in the account of Genesis 6 it is pointedly clear that Noah stands alone as a “just man.” In this we are pointed again to the Lord Jesus Christ. He alone is righteous and by His one righteous act many are saved. Noah’s family are saved as-it-were on Noah’s coat-tails. We too hang onto Christ and are included in His sacrificial death. And so our entrance into the ark Christ by faith is only on account of the righteousness work of the Lord Jesus. Notice too that this covenant of God’s was already in existence because here we read that He will “establish it” and not ‘make it’ as in other cases (Exodus 24:8; 34:27; Deuteronomy 4:32; 5:2). This is the covenant of grace. There was nothing for Noah and his family to do except hear the Lord call them to come in. This covenant was made in eternity. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in eternity determined to save a people. The Father initiated this covenant, the Son carried it out, and the Spirit applies it to those who would believe.

The answer to the world’s corruption is complete destruction by the waters of the flood (genesis 6:17). But the answer to the coming destruction (deserved as it was) is the ark (Genesis 6:14)! The ark was a box which was much larger in length than breadth or height. Noah was given precise instructions as to its construction. They were to go into the ark, Noah, his family, and all creatures whom the Lord would call, and inside there would be safety. Outside there will be nothing but destruction, but inside all is safe. There would be trials and difficulties inside the ark, of course. They would hear the rain and feel the effects as they were jostled about, and they were inside with many animals and one another. But they were safe from the outer destruction which was borne by the ark. Note too that all of life was crammed into this giant box. The Lord said that one of the purposes of His coming was to bring life in all its abundance, and in this ark we see the presence of the abundance of life that He has made (John 10:10).

Exhortation.

I leave you with a few words of exhortation. Judgment is surely coming. Just as in Noah’s day the wickedness of the earth could only be blotted out by the judgment of God, so too in our day when wickedness abounds and is on the increase, such is ripe for judgment by fire. If we do not see that judgment is coming we are burying our heads in the sand. I am not talking about climate change and such disasters as the world may be overly concerned about. I am talking of the heavens and the earth (the universe) being destroyed and remade into a new heavens and a new earth. This is far more serious because it involves personal judgement for sin. All will be held to account, life to those who trust in Jesus and all he has done, and eternal death to those who reject Him and all that he has done. So get into the ark, which is Christ. It might not appear that judgement is close at hand, but then the rain did not fall until Noah and his family were safely shut in the ark. The Lord has made this incredible way of getting out of the coming judgment. The Lord calls all who are weary and who are labouring under sin to come to Him to receive rest (Matthew 11:28-30). So get into the ark! Come to Christ who alone brings rest.

January 25th 2026: Paul Daniel

Published on February 11, 2026 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

Luke 10: 25-37 The Parable of the Good Samaritan (brief summary).

To watch this service please click on the link to our YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/Xn3JGgkmGcY?si=vMm_kPhB5985x0B5

Have you ever acted without thinking, not realising what the consequences were? Luke’s gospel is all about making us aware of the danger we could be facing, whether we are for God or against Him. There are 2 reactions to Jesus – follow Him or go against Him. There are only 2 possible reactions to the gospel – for it or against it.

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan we see an expert stood up to test Jesus, asking, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” When Jesus responded by asking him what was written in the law, the expert answered correctly saying, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.” Jesus says to the man he had the right answer and to do exactly this.

But then the expert is not happy and questions who his neighbour is. This parable is for people who might try to justify themselves. Who is the person trying to justify themselves, who knows the answer but doesn’t want to engage with it. Christians have times when they try to justify why they don’t want to hear the word of God.

In this parable we see that theology alone is not enough. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” This is a wonderful question. The correct answer is given. Deeds do not save you but they are evidence of your faith. Faith and deeds go hand in hand.

How do we connect with people? Do we just have words? We see in the gospel of Mark, Jesus came not only to tell people about the Kingdom of God but He also demonstrated the Kingdom of God – showing love, compassion. Are you being a neighbour? Is it possible that so many people walk by Christianity and walk by churches because we have narrowed the gospel, that we don’t care?

Excuses reveal our hearts. The man who was beaten was left for dead. A priest and Levite, who you would expect to love God and their neighbour, walk by. The Samaritan shows compassion. Here is love that is costly and risky. That’s what it’s like to love your neighbour. Sometimes, we talk about what others do. We should address what we are doing. Sometimes we say we love God but we forgot to love our neighbour because there are people we do not get on with.

Eternal life is the next step, the next destination. We’re only here by the grace of Jesus. Discipleship is about learning. What has God told me I need to put into practice? When was the last time, as Christians, we changed something in our life and in our routine, for eternal reasons? When we make excuses, are we trying to justify ourselves? Why don’t we want to listen to Jesus?

This parable reminds us the Samaritan came, saw, had compassion and he lavished his love. Not just on that day, but the next day and in future. God’s love has no limits. There is no-one who is not invited. God’s love has no limits. If God can turn you around, He can bring about the salvation of many others that you think cannot be saved. Don’t be a stumbling block, don’t make it more difficult for others to know Christ.

January 18th 2026: John Funnell

Published on February 11, 2026February 11, 2026 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

“Give us day by day our daily bread.” (Luke 11:3).

To watch this service, please click on the link to our YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/1SIXK2a3rU4?si=jwivMjTmWCuCTcig

This verse comes from the prayer that the Lord have us. It is a prayer from an eternity of fellowship within the God-head.

Each word in this prayer has been chosen specifically and derives from God Himself who delivers it to us. The timing of these words is also significant. It comes after acknowledging that God is Father and in recognising where He is (heaven), and it also comes after the declaration that His will is paramount (Luke 11:2). Only after these important things do we get this attention to our daily needs.

As a first lesson then, always put God first. When you come to prayer, give attention to the worship of God and remember who He is and what He has done before making any supplications. Joy in the Christian life only comes when we know Him truly through saving faith. The knowledge of God (truly) necessarily leads to the worship of God, for to know Him is to love Him. We worship God for whom He is and not just for what He gives us. To live truly, is to live for God. Job declared: “I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). When we are absorbed with love for God, food no longer has prime place. When the Lord Jesus was urged to take something to eat by the disciples after He had spoken to the woman of Samaria at the well, He declared: “I have food to eat of which you do not know,” and then when the disciples were puzzled about this, Jesus went on and said: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:32-34). When a young man falls in love with a girl he can barely eat! So, Christians can only be happy if God is first in their lives.

Bread. The small things of life.

The Greek word for bread actually means the basic essentials of life, not just bread. In some cultures that do not use bread as a basic staple in their diet they may well have some other word suggested in this text. The point is that the request is for the basic essentials of life. We are speaking of ‘needs’ here and not ‘luxuries.’ Now this reminds us instantly of how God works. He blesses us through the small things in life. Take for example the wonderful miracle of gathering in the manna as recorded in Exodus 16:14f. The Israelites were told to gather this manna that settled on the ground each day for their needs. They were explicitly told not to gather a surplus and hoard this for the next day because it would go rotten (Exodus 16:16,19). But some ignored the instruction and out of greed gathered more than they needed.

Consider also the story of the widow who had a small jar of oil left in the house as recorded in 2 Kings 4:2f. Elisha the prophet told her to gather lots of vessels and to pour the oil from the jar into the vessels. The Lord blessed this widow from a small jar of oil. Out of the lord’s provision she was enabled to pay off her debts and have what she needed. Or think also of Gideon who had 32,000 men in his army but faced 135,000 men in the opposing force (Gideon 7). Gideon thought ‘we cannot do this,’ ‘we are outnumbered.’ What did the Lord do? He made Gideon whittle down his army to just 300 men!

And then consider the fact that in Bethlehem long ago there was a weak baby boy lying helpless and in need in a manger, utterly reliant upon his teenage mother. How could this work out? And yet this baby boy was none other than Immanuel, God with us, and He broke the curse of sin though His sacrificial death at Calvary.

Bread. Our daily need.

God loves to bless people in the small things. We think we need all sorts of things in life but what we really need is this baby boy and this mighty Saviour whom to the world looks weak and impotent as He lay dying on the cross, but to us He is life! Now the Lord loves to bless not only in the small things but also even in the impossible things too. In Luke 16:10 we hear from the Saviour: “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much” (Luke 16:10). If we had an abundance, we could easily be led astray by our own greed and sin. Those who seek riches are those who “fall into temptation and a snare,” because “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” and some who have gone this way have “strayed from the faith in their greediness,” (1Timothy 6:9,10). A covetous or greedy man has no inheritance in the kingdom of God (Ephesians 5:5). James points out that Christians sometimes “ask amiss” in their seeking for pleasure and the things of this world (James 4:3,4). Thankfully, the Lord mercifully withholds some things we seek for. So, we should ask for our needs and avoid greed. Our joy does not come from what we have, although He is a wonderful giver, but it comes from knowing Him.

We ask for our daily bread but know too that the Lord loves to give! We have abundant testimony to this in Scripture. For example, the Psalmist exhorts us to delight in the Lord:

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4,5).

When we delight in the Lord we find that he will also give us the desires of His heart because our hearts will be in tune with His. James also speaks to us of the goodness of God in giving wisdom:

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (James 1:16,17).

How easily we can be deceived by the world’s trinkets! The Lord delights to give wisdom to the lowly and humble, to such as have true faith (Proverbs 2:6,7). What an incredible God who demonstrates His love to us in the giving of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Romans 5:8; Colossians 2:3). If we are overrun with difficulties God gives grace (Ephesians 2:8). If we face times of conflict or anger against us, God gives peace (John 14:27). In those times when we have had enough and want to run away He gives us a new start, a new beginning, a new creation (2Corinthians 5:17). When we are weak, alone, and without strength, He gives us His strength (Philippians 4:13). When we are lost and without hope, the Lord gives us hope (Romans 15:13).

Bread. Communion in fellowship.

To end our message note that the statement we are looking at is: “give us ..” not “give me ..” We are commanded to walk and live in a community with other brothers and sisters in the faith. Our plea for daily bread is a corporate one. As the body of Christ we seek the Lord for all our daily needs, and we do this together in fellowship with one another. Christ, in His infinite wisdom, calls us to make requests in community. The Lord Jesus is not a vending machine. We are not simply to ask and receive blessings and then go off on our own way. We are a family. The world will come to know that we are Christ’s disciples if we truly love one another (John 13:35). Our gathering together draws our focus upon the Lord and not upon our own self-indulgences. We seek what he wants and desires and not what we want.

January 11th 2026: Phil Meiring

Published on February 11, 2026February 11, 2026 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

“And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4.14

To view this service, please click on the following link to our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/dCF3QVaO2Rk?si=J1VL_5LfrI7N8tqB

The book of Esther is a remarkable story of God’s care for His people even though the name of God does not appear at all. Perhaps one key verse comes at that moment when Mordecai tells Esther that she must intervene (4:14).

We are in the Persian empire some 400 years before the coming of Christ. It was an empire that stretched across some 3,000 miles from India right across to Egypt. Esther was queen at this point in time. Despite her being an orphan Jew, and so among the minority in the empire, she had risen to the dizzy heights of the land. She was a very attractive woman both inside and in appearance. But none in the empire knew here national identity. She was a Jew. She is a ‘secret believer’ brought up by her godly uncle Mordecai.

At the start of this chapter we discover that dreadful news was afoot – there was a plan afoot to exterminate all God’s people across the whole Persian Empire. The man behind this plot was Haman, a nasty piece of work. When Mordecai heard what had been decreed, he tore his clothes (Esther 4:1). Haman had risen to power and he was a great enemy to the Jews. He had a massive ego for he wanted all those around him to worship and adore him, but Mordecai would not play along, for he worshipped God alone. So Haman came to detest the Jews with a vitriolic hatred, so planned to have them all exterminated. He was so determined in this plan that he even offered to foot the bill himself. Now he was also quite superstitious because he determined the day for this massacre by casting lots (Esther 3:7).

The question which arises as we outline the background here is: what would God have us to do? How do we fit into this story? There are at least three things I believe that God wants us to see:

He wants us to see Jesus in this text (4:12-14a).
He would have us leave our comfort zones.
He would have us use our royal position to bless others.

[1] Seeing Jesus in the text.

Whenever we come to the Old Testament we must always ask: where is Jesus? This is something the Lord taught the disciples to do after His resurrection. Now the problem is that God’s name is not once mentioned in Esther. So how can we observe the Lord Jesus here? However, even though the name of God is absent, we discover that God is clearly present everywhere in the book at every twist and turn. In the Old Testament the Lord Jesus appears in various guises, as a type, or a shadow, or in theophany, or in example, or by way of prophecy, or in seed form or through lineage. But where is He in Esther?

To answer this first note that the entire empire stretched (as we have said) from Egypt all the way through to India. Spread throughout this vast empire there were Jews in various countries or districts of Persia. There were those in the land of Israel (although still under command of Persia), and there were those who had been scattered centuries before in the north of Assyria and in the suburbs of Babylon. And there were those too who had been taken down to Egypt when Jeremiah was taken there after the fall of Jerusalem. Genesis speaks of the “Seed” of the woman who would come and bring relief, rest, and salvation. But this wicked Haman had determined to destroy the Jews once and for all throughout the entire empire. What would happen then to the promise? Mordecai said to Esther, “If you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish” (Esther 4:14a). So, we see the Lord Jesus in ‘Seed’ form. He would come from somewhere among the Jews who were currently spread across Persia. But if Haman’s plan succeeded then the promise would fail. But Mordecai is convinced that if Esther failed deliverance would most assuredly come from elsewhere. So, this statement of Mordecai’s shows us Christ in ‘Seed’ form. He is hidden from view, but He is in the background in this statement made by Esther’s uncle. The promise will not fail. The “Seed” of the woman will surely come.

Think too of Herod’s massacre of the innocents. He sought to eliminate Christ whom he thought was a rival earthly king, but his determination could never succeed. Haman did not realise that he was part of a much bigger plot engineered by Satan to stop the coming of the promised Seed. Remember that people had by this time returned to Israel and had rebuilt the temple, and, if Haman’s plan had succeeded then the line of promise would fail. So, if Esther did not seize the opportunity given to her the promised Seed might fail! And yet Mordecai is convinced that even if Esther did not act, then still deliverance and rescue would come from elsewhere because the “Seed” of the woman was most definitely coming at some time.

It has often been noted that the book of Esther displays the great providence of God. God is active in His world preserving his interests and directing all things to His desired ending. Haman lived in a world of chance or fortune. He cast lots to determine what he thought would be the best most opportune time to carry out his wicked plan. But Esther and Mordecai lived under the providence of God. Which world are you living in?

[2] He would have us leave our ‘comfort zones.’

It is very easy to get comfortable isn’t it in modern times? By being comfortable we mean settled and unperturbed by the moves of God’s providence. Being comfortable really has to do with self determination. We like our settled niches and places of rest. Now in truth our comfort and our rest is in Christ. The joy of the Lord is our strength and we know rest and peace only in Christ and through His great sacrifice. So we must always be aware of the danger of becoming settled into ‘comfort zones’ which are those of our own making or which we have been accustomed to over time. What is required is an awareness and a watchfulness to be ready to act and follow the Lord whenever He calls, for our true rest and strength is not in this world of things but in Christ Jesus.

Mordecai tells Esther that she has been placed in her position just for this time so that something could be done to thwart the enemy (“Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14b)). Had she become comfortable being Queen of Persia? Mordecai realised that the providence of God had brought Esther to such a position that could be vital. Mordecai was calling upon Esther to no longer be a ‘secret believer’ and to show her true identity. The Lord wants us to be seen and to be seen as His light, for we are the light of the world. This call to Esther is nothing less than her granting her cooperation in His great plan for saving the people and of protecting the promised Seed.

Now God seems to like to work in such a way as this. He could, of course, have done things in a very different way. He could have thwarted Haman immediately, after all the Lord is the One who gives and takes life, for He is Creator. Instead, God chooses to use people in situations as we read of in Esther chapter 4. Here we are being taught that obedience is the road to blessing. This is not salvation by works, for even though we do not have faith outlined clearly in this passage, Esther must heed the word of Mordecai and in faith trust that what he suggests will lead to their deliverance.

What about Esther? She was being asked to leave her comfort zone. Mordecai told her that she should plead for mercy before the king: “command her to go in to the king to make supplication to him and plead before him for her people” (Esther 4:8). This is all well and good but there was a great problem. None were permitted to go into the presence of the king without prior permission (4:11).

Esther had not been summoned for a month. If she presented herself to the king now he could quite easily have her put to death. So, what was she to do? Mordecai made the situation plain. He “commanded” her because this was desperately needed. Esther was being asked to put her life on the line for the benefit of God’s people. Is this not like our Saviour? Esther was at the top of her ‘career,’ and she was (presumably) comfortable and set for life – but what now? She was asked to lay her life on the line and to leave her comfort zone. Is this not what the Lord asks of us too? We are commanded to take up our cross and to be dead to this world, following in the footsteps and paths of our Lord and Saviour. Are we prepared to honour God and do exactly what He says even if it means death? Think of the many persecuted brothers and sisters who are being slaughtered today simply because they stand up and identify themselves with Christ.

Esther makes what can only be described as a confession of faith. After calling upon Mordecai and the Jews of Shushan to a fast she states her mission to go to the king even though it is “against the law” and she declares “if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16). Think of what she is saying here. What would happen to her if she were to die? Think too of the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace for not worshipping the statute that Nebuchadnezzar had made (Daniel 3). These men would not bow down to the image and trusted God even if they were to perish in the flames. We are taught in the New Testament by none other than the Lord Jesus Himself that to be a disciple of Christ we must bear the cross (a sentence of death): “and whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:27).

Mordecai has said to Esther: ‘you must stand up and take a stand here.’ Now the Lord Jesus has never asked us to do anything that He Himself has not done before hand. The only thing Christ did not need to do was to repent of sin, for He had none. But the Lord Jesus in His incarnation stepped out of the comfort zone of heaven and humbled Himself. He had glorious and united fellowship with the father and the Spirit and yet he left that eternal place of bliss to take on human flesh and go to the cross. The moment He stepped out of heaven and assumed human form, He did so forever. Such commitment, for He is still God and yet is now also always human too. The commitments we may have to make are but for a time period, but the Son of God committed Himself to us forever. He was away from His true ‘home’ for thirty three years and became a humble servant and then what? He died! What do we leave to follow God?

[3] He would have us use our royal position to bless others.

Esther’s rise to fame was a true ‘rags to riches’ story. As a true believer Esther was beautiful both inside and out. She was reliant upon God. She was the first lady of the empire. But all of this nature, status and position was granted to her by God. Everything we have too is given to us by God. Our very lives, our circumstances, our talents, our families and so on – all are gifts to us from God. Just like Esther, we are a ‘rags to riches’ story because we have been taken out of the “power of darkness” and we have been made as kings and priests unto God in “the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:13). We have been given tremendous privilege. We are royalty (1Peter 2:9)! We are part of God’s royal family. Now in such a position we have all the resources of God behind us. These are not at our beck and call of course for God knows how to order things and give in the wisest of ways. We are priests unto the Lord but not as Christ who was is High Priest who mediates for us, but we are to be a channel of blessing to others. The priests functioned as those who brought blessings to the people. Now we have received of the Lord freely and so we ought thence to give to others in the same manner – freely (Matthew 10:8). We each have talents and gifts both natural and supernatural. But these are given for the extension of the kingdom (Luke 14:25f). We are to forsake all and give up all in pursuit of Christ and the things He has freely given are now His for use as He sees fit. What of our house, our car, our time, our talents, our abilities and so on? Do we use these for self-advancement? Or do we use these as the Lord directs, to bless, and to help, and to glorify the Lord Jesus? Esther had royal position and now she uses this for the purpose of saving her fellow Jews and thus to extend and preserve the kingdom.

January 2026

Published on January 27, 2026January 27, 2026 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

In recent months, in the absence of written sermon summaries, we have been posting YouTube links to our services. Unfortunately, these have been removed. We apologise for this. You may still watch our weekly services once they have been uploaded to YouTube (they are not live streamed). Please click on the following link to do this:

https://www.youtube.com/@penuelbaptistchapelroch

October 12th 2025: Ian Jones

Published on October 23, 2025 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

Reading: Joshua 2.
Text: Hebrews 11:31.

to watch this service, click on the link to our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/o0So2XFgsSM?si=fHUxUerW4XPl45kB

Introduction.

The story of Rahab’s salvation is set within the context of the Lord’s conquest of Canaan led by Joshua. In Joshua chapter 2 we find two spies are sent out into Jericho. We should remember that many years before this, twelve spies were sent out to spy Canaan by Moses. Why did Joshua need to spend out more spies? He probably had all the intelligence he needed from the more comprehensive exploration done by the twelve spies under Moses. It seems to me that the main point of Joshua chapter two is to show us the salvation of Rahab, the Jerichoite prostitute. We are reminded of Jesus’ visit to see the woman of Samaria at Jacob’s well in John chapter four. He was determined to go north through that region in order to meet with her, rather than go the normal way which would have avoided travelling through Samaritan lands. It is very likely therefore, that the Holy Spirit wants us to know that the reason for the two spies trip to Jericho was (in the main) to effect the salvation of Rahab.

God had been at work in Rahab’s life. Consider what she confesses, how she helped the spies, and her desire for her family to be saved. Now we shall consider as our text the commentary on Joshua chapter two which we find in Hebrews 11:31.

By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews wants his readers, (Jewish Christians), to see Rahab’s faith in the midst of great difficulties. See here a woman whose nation and peoples faced imminent death and destruction, but Rahab’s faith saved her! In many ways we too are in the same boat. Jericho was about to be destroyed, but the whole world awaits the coming judgment of God when Christ returns. And here we see Rahab trusting in God. Her faith is very visible. It is not merely an intellectual agreement but something living and active. Now Jericho is the first city that would fall in Canaan, and given what we read of in the opening chapter we might have expected that such would be the focus of chapter two. But what we see instead is the mercy of God! There is no doubt that Jericho deserved God’s judgment, but before we see that we are presented with this historical tale which speaks of God’s grace and mercy! The Lord says in Ezekiel that He has “no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Ezekiel 33:11). And then what is even more remarkable is the object of the Lord’s mercy. Whom would we think of rescuing from such a place about to be destroyed? One with great intellect? Or one who shows great promise for the future? Or maybe one who is greatly wealthy or able to make money? Or perhaps someone who might seem to deserve rescuing? A noble or one of royal birth? What we find though is that it is a prostitute (“harlot”) who is rescued. Oh the mercy of God! None is too much of a sinner that cannot be rescued! But are we willing? Are we like Rahab who had heard about Israel and God and was prepared to go against her own folk and trust in the God who judges sin?

As a youngster I remember that children’s chorus: ‘wide, wide as the ocean.’

Wide, wide as the ocean, high as the heaven above
Deep, deep as the deepest sea is my Saviour’s love
I, though so unworthy, still am a child of His care
For His Word teaches me that His love reaches me everywhere!

The Lord’s love reaches into everywhere, even into the city doomed to destruction! Why did the Lord save me? Of all the people He could have saved – but I need to remember that there is no depth and no height that He could not reach to. Amazing grace that saved a wretch like me! Salvation is of grace and by no means something we can drum up by self effort or earn. Rahab’s saving faith separated her from the rest who were doomed to destruction.

Let us look at four features of Rahab’s faith.

[1] By faith.

Everyone in Jericho knew about Israel’s crossing of the Red Sea, and of the defeat of the two Amorite kings across the other side of the Jordan. Look at what she declares speaking on behalf of all the people of Jericho:

For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. (Joshua 2:10).

She also testified to the great terror and fear that the people felt.

I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are faint hearted because of you. … And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you. (Joshua 2:9,11).

Now Rahab believed and had faith in the God of Israel, whereas all the rest of Jericho did not. Perhaps the others in Jericho thought that the Israelites were never likely to be able to cross the Jordan, or perhaps they thought that the walls of Jericho were impregnable, or maybe they thought they had an unbeatable army? But Rahab had true faith. How do we know that she had true faith? Look at which she personally declares:

I know that the Lord has given you the land … for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. (Joshua 2:9,11).

Rahab heard the same news that everyone in Jericho had heard, but the difference between her and the rest was that she believed in the God of the Israelites and the rest did not. Rahab asks the spies for some “true token” that will bring salvation to her and to her family (Joshua 2:12). Rahab knew that Jericho was doomed, but she displays faith in God. Consider the thief on the cross who asked the Lord Jesus to remember him when the Lord came into His kingdom. And the Lord replied: “today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). Now even today, whoever hears the Lord’s word (as Rahab did) will receive everlasting life (John 3:16,36).

[2] Rahab’s faith is self denying faith.

Rahab dared to risk her whole life. If it had been found out that she had been hiding the spies, there is no doubt that she (and her own family) would have been executed. The Amorites were a wicked people. James points out that Rahab’s faith is observed by the works that she did:

Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? (Joshua 2:25).

Maybe we might think that Rahab should have been loyal to the people of Jericho? But these were a wicked people, and Rahab was prepared to give her loyalty to Israel and Israel’s God. She hid the spies, and she sent the king away on a wild goose chase! Her faith is demonstrated by her actions. Moses forsook the pleasures of Egypt because he saw “Him who is invisible” (i.e. The Lord) (Hebrews 11:24-27). Rahab was not moved by fear of the people or by the king of Jericho. She demonstrated her faith in her actions in keeping the spies safe so that they would return.

[3] Rahab’s faith is a sympathising faith.

We also see how Rahab was not just concerned for herself, for she asks for mercy for her whole family too:

12 Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the Lord, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token, 13 and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. (Joshua 2:12,13).

Do we not also want our families to share in the salvation we know? When the Lord opened our eyes and showed us the truth, was it not so wonderful that we wanted our nearest and dearest to come to know it all too? Where true faith is seen, that is, where a person has been brought to true faith, there is also a desire within such a saved person that others might know the same joy of salvation. It is impossible to see the true value of salvation without also wanting others to share in what you have come to know. The gospel accounts show that the Lord Jesus had amazing compassion. Are we not like Him?

There was no guarantee that any would be safe outside Rahab’s house where the red cord was placed. If they remained within Rahab’s house then they would be safe and their blood would be the responsibility of the Israelites. But if they stepped outside their blood was on their own heads. This meant that each member of the family must come into Rahab’s house. Go out and you face judgment, come in and your life is secure. It was the responsibility of each member of Rahab’s family to come into the house where the scarlet cord was found. That scarlet cord represents the blood of the Saviour. In the Exodus the Israelites had to daub the blood of lamb on the lintels and doorposts of their doors to escape the judgment from the angel that was passing over. Are we looking to the shed blood of Christ?

[4] Rahab’s faith is a sanctifying faith.

Scripture refers to Rahab as a harlot. But she was not going to continue in such a profession. Her faith was that which also led to her sanctification. Rahab was given special privilege among Israel after being rescued (Joshua 6:25). And then wonderfully we discover that Rahab becomes mother to Boaz, who married Ruth the Moabitess, from whom came Obed, then Jesse, and then David. Boaz was a godly man as the record in Ruth shows. Where did he gain such godliness? Surely, he would have learned from his mother Rahab who was saved out of Jericho? Rahab features in the genealogy of the Lord Jesus (Matthew 1:5). Rahab, a Gentile prostitute, by faith in the Lord,f comes to feature as an ancestor of the Lord Jesus! How great is our God!

October 5th 2025: Peace Choi

Published on October 22, 2025 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7.

to view this service, please click on the following link:
https://youtu.be/U-ZxIE21vCU?si=V2BqzK3KxZTj1U5g

Introduction.

Genesis 1:1 declares to us that God created all things in the beginning and Genesis 1:31 tells us that everything He created was very good. But in Genesis 3 we have a catastrophe. This is probably the darkest time in earth history. For in Genesis 3 we are informed about our first parents Adam and Eve and their disobedience and rebellion against God. The Lord had given them just one command not to eat of one tree in the garden warning them that if they did then they would surely die (Genesis 2:17), but they disobeyed God and as a result the whole world was placed under a curse. Adam and Eve were expelled and banished from the garden of Eden, and their relationship with God was broken. This same pattern is repeated in all of mankind. We are sinners because of what Adam did in the garden, but we all disobey God from our own choice too. None can pass the blame. Eve may have blamed the serpent and Adam may have blamed Eve, but both were culpable, and both sinned by themselves. But just as Adam and Eve disobeyed the command of the Lord so too do all mankind. Consider three examples in the Old Testament.

King Saul disobeyed the Lord.

Think of the first king Saul. He was told to go out and destroy the Amalekites. But he failed to do this even though he was commanded by the Lord. Saul rather made up his own mind to save the animals and bring the king of Amalek to a position of humility. But the Lord wanted Amalek wholly destroyed. The Lord knows what is best and right in all situations. So we can only assume that like Sodom and Gomorrah there was no means by which the Amalekites could be turned around. But Saul chose his own means and way to deal with them. When Samuel the prophet heard the sheep and the cattle coming by he asked why Saul had saved these, to which Saul replied so that they could offered in sacrifice to the Lord. (1Samuel 15:14,15). Samuel had already been told by the Lord that Saul had not followed Him in His commands, but now after a brief interaction between the two, Samuel gives the Lord’s reply to Saul’s disobedience:

22 So Samuel said: “has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.” (1Samuel 15:22,23).

Note here that rebellion is no better and just as bad as “the sin of witchcraft,” and stubbornness is like idolatry. So when we disobey God’s word this is rebellion against God.

King Solomon disobeyed the Lord.

Sometimes we make excuses. Sometimes we think that the commands of the Lord do not apply in our case. Perhaps we may think that our poor upbringing or the harsh life we have had to live excuses us from obedience to God’s commands. This, I believe, is what Solomon did. He thought that he could marry many foreign wives. Perhaps these were engaged in to make alliances with other peoples? Now the Lord had told the Israelites that they were not to intermarry with foreign women, and He told them the reason for this, for it would draw them away from faith in the Lord to serve other gods and incur the wrath of God (Deuteronomy 7:3,4). But Solomon ignored this command and (presumably) thought he was fine to do so because he was wise and he was king. But that was not true. The record of 1Kings is clear:

Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as did his father David. (1Kings 11:6).

I wonder, do we make similar excuses as Solomon? They may not be so grand and obvious as the sin of Solomon, but do we excuse certain sins or certain wrong attitudes?

Israel disobeyed the Lord.

What also of the twelve spies sent to survey the land prior to Israel’s entrance? There were only two good reports, for ten of the spies brought back a bad report which lacked faith and simply spewed forth the fear of man. The Israelites ended up in a very sorrowful state bemoaning their lot and longing to return to Egypt where they had cucumbers (Numbers 11:5)! So they called for a leader to lead them back to Egypt (Numbers 14:4). The people poured scorn and showed utter contempt for the Lord’s command to go in and possess the land of Canaan.

Disobedience to God’s word is rebellion, arrogance, and shows contempt.

In our disobedience to God’s word, we are showing rebellion, acting arrogantly, and displaying contempt for what God has said. How can we expect God to look on us with blessing if we treat God’s word in such a way? Do we want things to be good and better in life? Satan rejoices if we talk about God’s word but fail to obey it. He loves it when all we do is talk but are not keen to change our lives to follow His ways. Disobedience to God’s word is a serious affair. Never take it lightly. We are not only to listen to the word of God, but we are to be doers of it also (James 1:22). Remember that disobedience to God’s word leads to separation from God in relationship and to a catastrophe. The wages of sin is always death. Sin destroys and brings havoc in its wake. We ought to be dead serious about our obedience to the word of God.

Jesus Christ the obedient Son.

The Lord shows His desire for our obedience in and through the Lord Jesus Christ, who lived a perfectly, righteous, sinless, life, and who could say:

My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me. (John 4:34).

I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. (John 5:30).

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. (John 6:38).

I always do those things that please Him. (John 8:29).

Our Lord and Saviour lived as man ought to live, wholly pleasing the Father. Now Christ declared to His disciples that His Father had commissioned Him to lay down His life and to take it up again (John 10:17,18). The death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus is the only means by which salvation could be brought to mankind. The Lord Jesus gave up His life and took it up again in accordance with the will of the Father, so that people could be saved. Jesus fully obeyed His Father. He obeyed God even to the point of death. In the garden at Gethsemane He prayed with tears and sweat of blood that the cup might be removed but ended His prayers with those incredible words “not My will but ours be done” (Luke 22:42).

What should God’s people be like?

Matthew 12:46-50, Mark 3:31-35, and Luke 8:19,20 all speak about the characteristics of those who are truly of the Lord’s household and family. Those who are truly of the Lord’s family are those who having heard the word of God, go on to do the will of the Father (Matthew 12:50; Mark 3:35; Luke 8:21). So Jesus considered obedience to God’s will from His word as characteristic of those who are part of the true family of God. The Lord Jesus went on to say: “If you love Me, keep My commandments ” (John 14:15). To those who take hold of what God has revealed and seeks to do what he has been asked, the Lord Jesus declared that these are the ones who love Him, and then He goes on to say that “he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” (John 14:21). Do we love the Lord? Yes! Do we always do what He asks? Not always. How many times do we fail to keep His commands?

The grace of God!

Now in order to obey the Lord, to do His will, to carry out His commands we need grace! We need His strength. We cannot do this by ourselves. There are two sides to the one coin of faith. On the one side we have our love to God. And on the other we have our obedience to the Lord. We cannot really have love for God if we fail to obey what He commands. To love God is to obey Him. And so we need His grace and His strength. If we say that we love the Lord but chose which commands to obey and which to ignore or pass over, we are in very dangerous waters. Disobedience to God is detestable in His sight. This is because all He says and commands is good and it is the best. The opposite is always bad, evil, and not good. We cannot make excuses when we come up against commands we do not like. Faith cannot be separated from obedience. True faith in the Lord contains within it obedience to what He says (Romans 1:5). The Israelites of old heard the gospel but failed to heed what they heard (Hebrews 4:2). They failed to act in faith upon what they heard.

Take the problem of anxiety. The Lord calls us not to fear many times and He says for us not to be anxious. We ought not to be anxious at all. But we are often. What should we do? Remember when the disciples were in the violent storm on the Sea of Galilee and the Lord rebuked them for their anxieties saying “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40). Well, of course, this incident was brought about to show the disciples’ hearts and the Lord was leading and teaching them about their little faith. When we come up with anxious thoughts we must run to the Lord for His help (Psalm 94:19).

We understand that we must obey all that the Lord commands, and we see the Lord Jesus doing this completely with perfection. But then we run into a dilemma. We simply cannot do what He asks of us. We ought to do what He asks, and we know that what He asks is always right, but we simply cannot do it – at least not for any sustained length of time. What should we do? As we cannot put God’s word into practice by our own strength and will, we must use the strength that the Lord supplies! We must therefore pray to God for His help. This is why the Lord Jesus came! He did not simply come to die and pay for all our sins. (He did that and such is wonderful of course). He came also to live the life we could not live and He gave that to us too! We live by His strength, and by His righteousness. We can truly say: “for me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). So when we sit under the word of God we ought to pray: ‘Lord increase my faith, empower me to obey what you speak to me.’ Remember too that God wants us to put into practice His word more than we want to do it. Therefore pray for grace and strength to follow His will.