Category: Services

October 30th 2022: Ian Middlemist

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Luke 10:25-37. “The Great Samaritan.”

            Being in prison is not pleasant (to say the least)! Imagine you are in a situation where you have done something and have been charged with a crime, but you want to be cleared of these charges.  You need a good lawyer or solicitor to get you off, to present your case in the best possible light. Well, that is what is happening here in this well-known passage most usually referred to as the ‘Parable of the Good Samaritan.’

            In Israel the Law was uppermost in their thinking. The Law of God, which makes demands on all mankind, can only be interpreted properly by the Creator, for it is He who has defined it. Many people interpret the Law in their own way, from their own perspective. Some say, “Well I have never murdered anyone, so I have kept the commandment ‘thou shall not kill.” But the Lord points out to us in Matthew 5:22 that anyone who is unjustly angry with another in their heart and refers to them as a “fool” is in danger of judgment and hell fire. The Law applies not simply to the external examples set down but to the very heart of each specific issue. Each command in the ten commandments acts as a heading.

            We have in our text a popular and to some their favourite story. This passage has inspired many to become better people (do-gooders) and may well have been the inspiration for charities like the Red Cross and others. We must be kind not simply to strangers but to those considered to be our enemies. But God’s Law is supposed to challenge us – who we are – it is not there for us to pat ourselves on the back.

[1] How may I inherit eternal life?

            We are introduced to a “certain lawyer” who wanted to ask a testing question of the Lord Jesus (v25). He asks: “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” This is the question uppermost in this lawyer’s mind. Is this our question? Do we ask such a question today? I rather think not. We have other ‘more pressing’ questions (we believe). Questions such as: “how shall I pay my bills in this difficult time?” How will I cope with what I face at work? How will I pay for the petrol and heating bills? How will I deal with this illness I face?” Our questions are very much this world centred and earth-based. But this lawyer who has come to Jesus, is concerned with the issue of life and death. What happens after we die? He wants to know how he will fare in the life to come. Eternity awaits! He knows about heaven and hell. Where will I spend eternity? There is, in fact, no greater question to ask. Where will you go when you die? Do you have assurance of a place in heaven? Or do you deserve to be in hell?

            Now the lawyer spoken of here is a different kind of lawyer to the ones we know of in our day. This man was concerned about the Law and how we interact with God. Modern day lawyers are concerned with cases between people (person A vs person B). This lawyer was concerned with the cases between people and God.

            You may be asking this question, “Why cannot it be true that all people will inherit eternal life?” Surely, we might think, it is God’s good nature to welcome everyone? However, there is the great problem that none are good enough to enter heaven. None are as good as God who is the great definer of good, and He will not admit to heaven anyone who is not good. So, the lawyer asks what he might do to gain an entrance.

            Now the lawyer was well aware that the Lord Jesus would direct him to the Law to make a summary statement – the two great commandments. We get a similar incident in Mark 10 where the rich young ruler asks the same basic question (“good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life”? Mark 10:17). In that instance the Lord Jesus pointed the rich young ruler to the second table of the Law. So, the ‘answer’ to the question concerning eternal life was well known – do the Law and you will live (Leviticus 18:5). The lawyer knew the answer to his own question! However, what the lawyer did not know in truth was whether he met the standard of God. What the lawyer wanted was to justify himself. How could he be sure that he was actually keeping the Law? It is likely that in truth the lawyer knew that he did not keep the Law properly. So, his second question gets to the heart of the issue. He wanted to justify himself (v29). He wanted to have an assurance that what he was doing in his attempt to keep the law was sufficient. In many ways this second question (“and who is my neighbour”) is the lawyer’s attempt at getting around the Law, or of side-stepping it somehow by finding a ‘loophole.’ He wanted to know what he could practically do himself in order to be able to enter heaven.

            Now this, we know, is the wrong approach. None can keep the Law (except Christ Jesus) and so none can actually inherit eternal life by their own works. None can justify themselves. To attempt such is actually to be proud and even arrogant. We need the Law – it shows us the character of God and what is good – but we need deliverance, rescue and salvation.

[2] The good Samaritan, (v30-35).

            There are three options here to the situation described in meeting the requirements of God’s Law that people may adopt.

  1. Ignore the lawyer and his question. Don’t even bother to seek justification.
  2. Seek a loophole. Get knowledge of the Law to find a way of appeasement. This is what many ‘religious’ people do. They make an acceptable religion for themselves and stick to it as best they can.
  3. Humble yourself and seek the Lord for the one way possible. There is one way which will be true to the totality of all of the Law and which will bring great joy. Become a servant of the Living God.

The story that the Lord Jesus relates is very true to life. The priest and the Levite both ‘walk on by’ when they come across the poor beaten man. But we must not be too quick to judge these two men here in this story that the Lord tells. Have you ever done this? Have you passed by on the other side? There are many accounts we could speak of in contemporary life of a similar nature. I heard of a young two year old girl who was knocked down by a vehicle and left bleeding and unconscious and it was reliably reported in the media that many people saw her but did nothing. They just walked on by. There are many other similar accounts and maybe you too have walked by when you saw a beggar or someone in need by the road.

            The story is vivid. A Jewish man is on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho. In those days the roads were dangerous on account of robbers who would take advantage of people in isolated areas. We have similar places in our world. Places you would not go about into at night or on your own. Now this Jewish man fell among the robbers who took his clothing and harmed him seriously so that our Lord described him as being “half dead” (v30). In this description of the plight of the robbed Jewish man we have a graphic picture of the threefold lost state of all mankind.

  • None one cared for him – those who should have cared all passed by.
  • He was in desperate need of rescue and kindness.
  • He could not save nor even help himself.

[a] The Priest (a ‘man of the cloth’ v31).

            The priest comes by and saw a man who looked and appeared, to all intents and purposes, as dead. Now the Law instructed this man that to go near a dead person was to become defiled (Leviticus 21:1,11). So rather than risk defilement he passes on by. One commentator puts it like this: “the priest transgressed the entire second half of the law to preserve his keeping of the first.” He was in a dilemma. If he touched the man to help him he would become defiled and then not able to do his duties. Because he wanted to keep his duties and perform his rites he walks on by. So he ignored compassion in order to preserve his own dignity.

[b] The Levite (of lesser rank v32).

            Levites were support workers to the priesthood. They performed various practical functions in the temple. The text indicates that he came by and had a closer look (“came and looked”). He also, however, passes on by. It would be too costly for his reputation to do anything for the man who appeared to be dead. Martin Luther King in his efforts to help the black sanitary workers in 1968 said this: “what would happen if we did nothing?” All acts of kindness are costly and will also cause suffering, but what happens if we do nothing?

[c] A certain Samaritan (v33).

            Now the lawyer may then have expected that the next person to come near would have been an Israelite layman. The priest and the Levite have been shown up as no help, but surely an ordinary Israelite man would do something? But no one expected the Lord Jesus to suggest a Samaritan man. The mention of such a person would have aroused deep feelings within the lawyer. The Samaritans were utterly detested. They were considered to be the scum of the earth. It was natural in Israelite company to pray for the destruction of the Samaritans – they were thought that bad.

            Now we are challenged, as this lawyer was, to show kindness to all people for all needs. But we need to go further than simply looking out for all mankind’s needs.

[3] The Great Samaritan (v36,37).

            Imagine if Jesus had told the story the other way around. Consider the scenario if he had a Samaritan man beaten and left for dead and an Israelite came by? No Jew would ever help the Samaritan! It would have been unthinkable. But Jesus is placing this lawyer in the story as-it-were, for the one beaten and left for dead is an Israelite. As we read the account we are meant to put ourselves in the place of the beaten man. The Lord Jesus is speaking to an Israelite lawyer, and the Israelite in the story is the man beaten and left for dead. The Lord effectively says to the lawyer: “wouldn’t you want even a Samaritan to help you in such a desperate condition?” To such a question the lawyer surely would have had only one response? When in such a poor and needy condition, then surely help from anyone is accepted. When you are poor and needy then anyone could be your neighbour.

            In Ephesians 2:5 we are taught that all people by nature are dead in trespasses and sins, and the only hope for us is rescue and deliverance – being made alive. The tragedy is that most people are unaware of their lost and needy condition. They are, as the Israelite man in the story, “half dead” (v30). They walk around and live in an earthly sense but they are spiritually dead – separated from God – and so half dead. All the people we see in the world are ravished by sin and are dying in sin as ‘that day’ approaches when Christ returns. Some take medication to dull the pain of their (unknown) sin. But sin renders a person helpless and legally undeserving of the kindness of God and eternal life.

            BUT One has come – one most unlikely, unexpected – to rescue and to deliver. His name is “Jesus Christ,” who was once called a “Samaritan”:

Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” (John 8:48).

Christ Jesus is the Great Samaritan. It was He who entered this world of sin and degradation. Jesus entered this dangerous world precisely to see us, touch us, lift us, to bring us to safety, to clothe us, and for this great help to be a permanent reality for the rest of our lives. This is exactly what the Samaritan man did. But Christ Jesus did it at the cost of His life.

            Don’t try to be a good Samaritan! Instead recognise yourself as the half dead Israelite robbed by sin and in need of rescue. You need to receive the love of Christ as depicted here in this story. You are in dire need! And there is One who has come and not passed on by. He has come to deliver and to give you a permanent place of safety. We cannot see ourselves as the good Samaritan. None are like this by nature except Christ Jesus who was once called a “Samaritan” (John 8:48). Stop justifying yourself! Recognise your state and be rescued by the Great Samaritan. And then follow Him as He continues in His plan of rescuing unworthy people. Have you been rescued by this Great Samaritan – Jesus Christ?

October 23rd 2022: Chris Rees 200th Anniversary Service of the Founding of Penuel

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To watch this service please click on the link to our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/vdK4xgwnePM

Ephesians 4

The 200th Anniversary service of the founding of Penuel, Roch. On occasions like this, it’s a moment when we mark the day – what’s gone before, how far we have come. For life of the church here in Penuel it is 200 years, that only by the grace of God, a miracle of miracles, we thank God for it.

As we go through life ourselves, every one of us has moments that we mark – our ages. If you’re young, you may be looking to eleven years of age and mark when you become eleven. Then you may mark when you become 16, then 18, then 21. Then you try and forget! Then what happens is you’re 40, 50, 60, 65, 70, 80, all markers. On each marker you say you are growing – growing old, growing in maturity. The hope is that the older you get, the more mature you become. Yet, that may not always be the case. But we look to growth. If you were born Welsh, you’re always looking to grow that little bit taller!

In our lives there are those days which we mark, ages which we mature. In Ephesians 4 we can see what God wants for His church and for His people. The educationalist Margaret Fuller once stated that the object of everything in life is to grow. God has made this world, in nature and spiritually, to grow. We talk about growth: economical growth, our children’s growth, the growth of a nation and of community and society.

In one’s Christian life there has to be that desire for growth. Even if you’re the worst possible Christian, in your heart there is that desire to grow more in the knowledge of Him, more in your Christian life, more in the things of God. it’s deep within each one of us. The Lord Jesus Christ came and said, ‘Listen, I will build my church.’ That’s His purpose. Therefore, it will come to maturity. He has given to His church everything that is needed. There are a number of things which will stop us from growing in our Christian life: sins, worldliness, sloth and laziness in our Christian lives, bad teaching which will stunt your growth. We can go down wrong avenues.

There are two things you desperately need for growth in the life of a church. No church can grow without a pastor. Always remember that. We see it here in Ephesians chapter 4. He gives these gifts to His church that His church may grow. Secondly, no Christian can grow without a church. We see that plain as day in Ephesians 4. In our Christian life and development, growth takes place in the context of the church.

There are three things I want to bring to you this morning:

  • The need of growth in our lives as Christians
  • The ingredients for growth that we must have in the life of the church
  • The result for growth which will be evident amongst us as a people at Penuel, Roch.
  1. The need for growth this day.

The Church is blood-bought. You can be saved in Jesus and know the love of God. He gives gifts to the church, “11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the [e]edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12-13). We need it for this reason – “That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.” (Ephesians 4:14). We need it, every single one of us. Every one of us needs to grow in our lives. It’s not an optional extra. No matter who we are in our Christian life, we no longer need to be as children, we need to grow.

When you think of 200 years of life of Penuel, there’s a time when we are no longer to be children. We have had much teaching and pastoring which God has done, that we would know what it is to grow. When you become a Christian, you become like little children. Yet, with the children of God, there needs to be that maturity. Why? There are dangers in church itself. As a child we can go from one craze to the next. As a church, so often that’s what we can be like – carried by every wind of doctrine. You have to be careful.

Jesus Christ has given everything to you that you should grow. As a church you can be blown by such winds of doctrine, where you can be blown down this course and that course. Before you know it, you can lose a decade of your life in a wilderness in your Christian experience. False teaching exists, new practices exist. At Narberth we were exposed to them all. One craze was the Jabez Prayer. I don’t want to offend anyone, but always around this time of year, the rapture teaching comes, the end of the world teaching comes. But we see in verse 14 we must be careful, “That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.” (Ephesians 4:14).

The apostle Paul has already warned, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” (Acts 20:28). There are people who will draw you away and drag you away. They’re cunning. They come with some hair-brained idea. Always note: these people are never normally part of a church. They’ve normally got their own ministries. Always be careful because they will cunningly come and take you away. You need to grow in your Christian lives because you are there for the taking.

  • The ingredients which are needed for growth.

“But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15). For growth in your life and church there are two ingredient which are special, which cause growth in the body. The two ingredients have to be mixed in a special way, ”speaking the truth in love.” Truth and love must go together. They must be present. That’s what this place is to be. There is truth that is to be spoken. We’re to know the One who is truth, Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life.’ When you come to this place, there is a voice that we are to hear. There are words we are to listen to, true words. If there’s anything so lovely about the Lord Jesus, it is this – He is the only one who speaks to you without any guile and without any deceit.

When the Lord Jesus Christ came into this world, wisdom came in. He spoke in the most candid, truthful ways. He spoke clearly and simply the truth. He told men and women what they needed to hear. There is truth to be heard – with love. Every one of us needs to repent before God, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Your doctor’s not going to tell you, your teachers won’t tell you, your politicians won’t tell you. You know why? There’s a heaven and a hell! People need to speak the truth to one another. There’s are ways that you’re living and things that you are doing that are wrong. There are only a certain amount of people who can tell you the truth. There are some people who come to me and say things I don’t like to hear. I tell you, there are only two people who can talk to me like that, my mother and my wife! There are those who will tell you those home-truths and it needs to be done.

The tragedy, in the life of the church, is that we have taken out the word of truth, the gospel of truth. The church has no longer become that place where the word is being preached. It has become a melting pot of ideas, marching to the drum beat of the world. I was talking to someone who has gone to another church. I asked them why and they said, ‘It’s because they love me. They give me big hugs when I go in, and I get gluten-free biscuits.’ But you’ll never grow with that.

Neither will a church grow if it doesn’t have love. You can have truth. There are many churches which have it. We have truth every Sunday and we make sure it pure and the right doctrine. We need that. But let me assure you, it has to be truth in love. Of all the failings one has had in the ministry, that failing of love has been great. In the morning before one comes to preach, you ask God, ‘Clothe me with the Spirit of God that grace would be on my lips, that the feet would be shod with the preparation of peace, and a baptism of love will be felt.’

There are many messages I could have given you this day, but the one that comes to mind is that you be built up, not taken down. Built up so that you would grow. It’s easy to take down, but these two ingredients have been given to us and we are to speak it. The problem we have is that we’re not doing these things. The first thing we are not doing is that we are not speaking. You have to speak to one another, and you have to communicate. I’ve been to some churches where I give the Benediction, then they’re all gone. They’re out faster than you could say the Amen! No-one communicates and talks to one another. It’s the mistake we make. You have a gift. God has given you something. You have to communicate. Then, you have to speak truth. We need to be candid. We have to speak truth in love. Love never fails.

  • The result of this will be we grow up into the Head, Christ.

“From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:16). The result is this; the Lord Jesus Christ wants you to grow. But you must realise your growth can never take place on its own, in isolation. That was the challenge of Covid. God’s plan is this; when you come to Jesus Christ your heart is made humbled. You realise that you’re not the all-important and the answer to everything.

When you come to Jesus Christ you receive forgiveness of your sins, and it makes you more forgiving. When you come to Jesus Christ there is a love that is poured into your heart for people, that you never had before. You begin to realise your dependence on others, on his church and on His people. You grow together. The more you know of Jesus Christ, the more you’re being compacted together, “Compacted by that which every joint supplieth,” (Ephesians 4:16a KJV).

If you ever come to a place in your life when you think you are growing in Jesus Christ, but you’re not being compacted together, there’s a mistake in that teaching and the practice which you have, because you’ll find yourself fragmented. If you are growing as a church the result will be, “The whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies.”

Growth is impossible without being together as a Church, in Jesus Christ. All life comes from Him. Life flows from Him. You are part of that body. Limb upon limb, bone upon bone, tissue upon tissue, there is life.

The great secret of growth in the Christian life: read your Bible, pray every day, and go to church. It is as simple as that. Use the means of grace. Remember Him. Listen to the Word. Pray together. Carry one another’s burdens. Share with them. Be with one another. Witness for one another. In your life as a Christian, there is not anything else that is going to impact you and shape you to be the person that you are meant to be, and to grow up.

You may think you can grow by reading Christian books. Calvin said whoever thinks that is insane. Those are his words on this portion. There are those who think they are always growing because they are having the best preachers and that the greatest ministry comes to you from the internet. What has made me grow more than anything else in my Christian life is – you, people like you in a place of worship; someone who came alongside me when I first became a Christian, someone who spoke to me and was kind to me, someone who put their arm around me, a church which prayed for me when I was going down, people who came to carry a burden with me, people who shared with me when I had nothing.

In one’s Christian life there has been no substitute for the ordinary, the simple, the everyday Christian that I meet every Sunday. With them and through them God has supplied His grace into one’s life.

“From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:16) Every one of you who is a Christian here today has the most vital part to play in the growth of the kingdom of God and in this place. But it’s got to be joined together. You can’t do it on your own, it’s impossible. You have a part to play. One of the reasons people don’t grow is if you’re not fully part of a fellowship, just hanging on loosely. A fellowship suffers when you’re not there. A church can grow so much faster and stronger when you are found in that place where God is. It’s a challenge to us in the individualism that we find in the society in which we live. But there’s a call that you must realise, of your place.

Secondly, you have a gift which is vital. Other people have gifts in the church which are vital to you. You can’t do without one another.

Thirdly, for growth to happen it needs a thinking change to take place. You don’t think of your growth, but you think of the edification and the building up of others around you. That must be the shift that happens. When a person becomes a Christian, these things take place. He takes away the selfishness. It is not all about one’s own ministry, it’s not all about oneself. We live in strange days. We have ministers and it’s all about their ministry. It’s not about that. The ministry is about other people. It’s not about developing my ministry, my gifts and the freedom I need. Forget all the nonsense. All you have to do is serve one another.

Growth comes when you’re focused on others around you. When this happens, you’re the one who will end up being built up. You’re the one who will also become stronger and more mature in your Christian life.

Every one of us has been hurt by church at some moment and some time in our lives. I have been through one of the most upsetting experiences. I understand. But there’s another side to it – the church has blessed you, has strengthen you, has prayed for you and has supported you. If it wasn’t for the church, I wouldn’t be here this day because they wouldn’t have sent the evangelist to the town and they wouldn’t have come and prayed for me as they did, teach me in God’s way and then correct me. Many corrections were on that road but with it all, I thank God. And I thank God for you! That’s the message – we need to grow.

October 22nd 2022: Chris Rees

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200th Anniversary Service of the founding of Penuel Baptist Chapel. Saturday night service.

To watch this service, click on the link to our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/tfl84n4xObU

Colossians 1: 1-20

What a joy it is to be with you, a real privilege. I trust we gather as churches in Pembrokeshire to be with you and thank God for all that He has done, and to trust that the Lord will be with us in a very special way, and to be with each one of us in our fellowships tomorrow (Sunday) as we would meet together. He has been so faithful. It’s a testimony that we are here tonight – 200 years since people first met on 23rd October 1822. That is a testimony of His goodness and faithfulness. We have been blessed with fellowship and we’ve been blessed with coming together on many occasions.

What we have tonight is a reading taken from God’s Word, from Colossians chapter 1. The thoughts I’ve got are this: of a body without a Head. Then tomorrow morning, a member without a body.

When I was asked to preach on the occasion of your 200th anniversary, I thought to myself, ‘I’m going to have to say something good about Penuel, Roch.’ I thought very hard, it took a long time (laughter from congregation). Then it came to me – you are good singers in Penuel, Roch (more laughter). Then I thought that over the years we’ve had good fellowship, warm fellowship. We thank God for that. We can thank God for the witness that’s been here all those years. I wondered what else I could say that’s really good. I thought what’s really good about Penuel, Roch is that it’s in the county of Pembrokeshire, and how we need such a gospel witness. We’re thankful for every church which is within Pembrokeshire. But then I began to think about what is really good about the church, the best about the church, is the Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ.

For all the influence and for all the witness, for all that this church has meant within this community for over 200 years, the best of all is the Head of the Church. Glorious things are spoken, Zion, city of our God. Glorious things are spoken about God’s Church. As we come today, we want to mark the best of this church here at Penuel. And it is this – the Head of the church.

We are living in strange days. In the church we talk not about the Head, but we talk about the hand. We talk about what we’re doing, what we’ve achieved, what we’ve done. We talk and we advertise in many different ways, of all that we can be and can do for a community.

Magazines have photos of people’s faces, not hands, because the glory of your body is your face. As a church, as a people, we have something to show to this community and tell. It’s not the elbow power, it’s not the works of our hands, but it’s the glorious face of our wonderful Saviour.

If there’s anyone here tonight who has got something they can say, who can pick a fault, point a finger, be disappointed in the life of church, there’s many faults and many failings, I would ask you simply tonight to look to the Head. Look to the Head and I assure you there is no failure or blemish in Him, “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the pre-eminence.” (Colossians 1:18).

I want to speak to you tonight of the importance of the Head. If we lose our head, we lose our glory, “18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.” (Colossians 2:18-19).

When Paul writes this letter to Colossae, he knows the problems of people having false teachings and false humility. He starts with this great hymn of praise that begins in verse 15, “15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” (Colossians 1:15) He begins to spell out who He is, Jesus Christ, who walked on this earth. He tells us of his relationship with God – He is the image of the invisible God.

Then he begins to tell us of His relationship to this world, that all things were made through Him and by Him. Then he begins to tell us of His relationship with His Church. If you want to know what Christianity is all about, it’s about Him.

Do you know what used to happen many years ago when we went to little places like this? A preacher would get up into the pulpit and would speak to you and would talk to you about Him. They would explain to you that Jesus Christ, who walked on this earth, is the invisible God. They would preach to you and tell you of the glories of His person, that He is the One who made everything – your life, your body. They would tell you of what He has done, what he has achieved. You find it in verse 14, “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” They would preach to you of His perfections and of His glory.

When a person becomes a Christian, isn’t it one of the great truths that begins to sink into your mind, Jesus Christ is God. God who came in the flesh but all God. True God. He is the maker and creator of all things. He is the Head of the body. If you lose your head, you lose your glory. The glory of the Church is the Head of the church.

We are not here to preach what the church can do for you, we’re here to tell you what Christ has already done in our lives and in this place. What you need to know is that everything that Jesus Christ is, His relationship to God, His relationship to this world, is His relationship to the church. The blessings of the church here at Penuel is its Head.

When a church loses it head, it doesn’t just lose its glory. These people were getting lost in their mind and in their thinking, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” (Colossians 2:8-10) 

When we talk about the headless chicken, some people look at the church and you can get the feeling that it’s like a headless chicken. It’s going this way and that way. It has no idea of where to go and what to do. Why is that? It’s very simple; we’re more concerned with the hands than the Head. We’re marching to the drumbeat of this world. We’re marching on the agendas of the day. We’re marching to the voices all around us. You need to know, He is the invisible God. He is the Head of the Church. That’s the great statement – we know someone who is in that position. His person is glorious. You need to know of Jesus Christ and the position which has been given to Him. He became a servant. He is our prophet, our priest, our King. He also became Head of the Church. He is the One who is going to come and judge the world. He is the boss!

What can happen in the life of any church, any people, is that so often, as we listen to the voices of others and not the voice of our Lord Jesus Christ, mad things take place. We believe, sometimes, that the church is a democracy. Whatever Jesus Christ has said in this book (the Bible), we’re not taking a vote on it! It is not open for discussion. When Jesus says, ‘Go,’ it’s not an option. He is the Head of the Church. We are living in those days, like in Israel, not knowing what direction it is going in. The position of the Head of the Church was not given to the third person of the Trinity, but to the One who laid down His life for you, who bled for you. As much as we need of the leading of the Spirit in our lives, we will never be against the direction of our Lord and of our Saviour.

When you lose your Head, you lose your glory. When you lose your Head, you lose your sense of direction and perspective. We are in days when the foot is telling the Head what to do, where hands are telling the Head what to believe, when sheep are leading shepherds. We have no direction. Our Head is the One who came to this earth, who died, rose, ascended into heaven, appointed on the right hand of the Father, that He would govern His church.

The third thing we learn is that the Head is where our nourishment and life comes from, “And not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.” (Colossians 2:19).

The Head gives us nourishment and life. If you lose your Head, as a church, you have got no life. You can lose various limbs of your body and live, but you can’t lose your head and live. “He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the pre-eminence.” (Colossians 1:18).

All life comes from Jesus Christ, all life flows from Jesus Christ. Everything that Jesus Christ was for creation is also true for His Church, His new creation. This Lord Jesus Christ is the one in whom we live. When that is severed there are dead churches. The Church in Sardis had a reputation for being alive but was dead. How is this? Well, when you are no longer united and growing in the things of Him, where you have taken away, where other things have come in and you are no longer looking to Him, there can only be death.

“He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead.” (Colossians 1:18a). He has always been in the beginning. He is the firstborn from the dead. He is the one who is first. He is the one who has life.

The reason there is a church here in Penuel is because He is the one who has life. There remains a church here because Christ rose from the dead. I’m told one of the great realities of the gospel is the existence of the Church, that there’s a people who worship Him, who know Him, come to Him and praise Him. It is because of the one who died and rose again and lives now. There is power! The power that worked in that grave conquered death.

He is the One who has conquered death. He is the one who made the way through the grave. He is the One who has ascended back to the Father. The everlasting doors were opened up to Him. The Lord Jesus Christ has made a way, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20). Now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the first fruit. He is not the last born, or the second or third. He is the firstborn, so He is the one who has given life to everyone who comes to believe in Him.

One day, when we die, that is not the end. We will be like Him. This decaying body will be like His glorious body. He is the one who has life, He is resurrection life. He is the One who began that life in you when you first became a Christian. It’s a bad thing if you lose your Head – you lose your glory, you lose any sense of direction, you lose all life.

We see something else here, “that in all things He may have the pre-eminence.” (Colossians 1:18b). It’s very practical. The reason the Lord Jesus Christ is the one who He is, the position He has got, all that He has done in conquering death and taken our sin, is that He is the life of this church in all things.

There are many things in the life of the Church, but He should be the supreme One in everything – in all that we do, in the decisions that we make, the worship that we have, the direction of it all. The One who was despised, forsaken, rejected by men, the crucified Christ, is the One now who has been risen by the Father. He should simply be the first, the circumference of everything, at the centre of it all. That’s the best of Penuel, Roch. That’s what it’s all about.

In your life, Jesus Christ is to have the first place. He should be first in all decisions we make. Jesus Christ has never been second. He never came to be second in anyone’s life. He never came to be third or fourth on anyone’s agenda. When you get up in the morning, who is going to be first, who is going to have the pre-eminence? When you think of all your plans you’ve got, just for tomorrow, who is going to have the pre-eminence?

We live in mad days. When we come to church, we still only think of ourselves. – what things mean for ‘me.’ I understand that. But shouldn’t He be first? The first thought in our worship, the first thought in our praise. In one’s life, always put God first. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

A body without a head has no identity. It is not even a body, it’s a torso. The Head should be the One we are thinking about, the One we are praising, the One that we are looking to for our direction and our leading. In your life, if you don’t know Jesus Christ there is no glory in your life, your head can be hanging in shame. I assure you that my head can hang in shame – but my Head is in heaven! It’s full of glory! And although I may look to myself, I can look to Him. Do you know something else? In your life, if you don’t know Jesus Christ, you are walking this way and that way. You don’t know if you’re coming or going. You have no direction.

This night, if you don’t know Jesus Christ in your life you are spiritually dead in the world. There is only One who has made a way from this dead, decaying, dying world. The firstborn has made it – from the dead, out from the grave, victorious into heaven.

The best thing about this church in Penuel is its Head. The best thing about our churches in Pembrokeshire is we are small, we are weak, we are little, and we haven’t got much. But we have a great Head who is seated on the throne. For Him, may it be all the praise and all the glory. Amen.

October 16th 2022: Gareth Edwards

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Revelation 21.

            At a service station on the M5 I recently heard a song being played on the public address system entitled, “Heaven is a place on earth.” It was a pop song about some kind of love relationship. But what do really understand about “heaven”? In this message I want to speak about “heaven on earth.” What we really want to know is that special dwelling place of God. There are three phases of the reality of heaven that believers experience. These are not three separate heavens but three phases of the experience of heaven – the special dwelling place of God.

            First, when a believer is born again. Before we go to heaven, heaven comes to us. The indwelling Spirit of God and the fellowship of Father and Son in the believer’s life is an experience of heaven on earth – the beginning of eternal life (John 17:3).

            Second, when a believer dies, then they go into the presence of the Lord immediately. There is no purgatory or half-way house. We know this, for example, from the promise the Lord Jesus gave to the dying thief: “Today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). So, there is an experience of heaven on being born again and then an experience of heaven on physical death, sometimes referred to as “the intermediate state.”

            Thirdly, after the resurrection and final judgement we have the final phase of experiencing heaven – where God dwells with us eternally. This is found in our text of Revelation 21. The imagery of Revelation is not always easy to understand but we shall not dwell today on the specific details found in Revelation 21. Christians of the first century, perhaps, appreciated these images more readily than we do today. [Note: there is a strong connection to the prophecy of Daniel]. For now, we shall look more generally at the text to consider this final phase of the experience of heaven by believers.

Heaven is our new earth.

            We see in Revelation the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. What does the term “heaven” indicate in Scripture? In some cases, it simply means the air or the sky as in the phrase “the birds of heaven.” In some cases, it refers to the universe or space. In others it means the special dwelling place of God.

            But we need to understand that the ultimate dwelling place of God is not part of creation. The new creation is not the creation of the place where God dwells. Where God is and where He dwells is perfect and glorious eternally. So the new creation which includes a new heaven and a new earth cannot be that eternal place where God dwells. The new heavens and the new earth in Revelation 21 speaks of a new creation of the universe, not the special dwelling place of God which is eternal and pure.

            But, one of the great characteristics of this new creation is that heaven – the special dwelling place of God – will come to earth (new earth). The popular idea is that we ‘go to heaven.’ But here in Revelation 21:2,10 heaven (the special dwelling place of God) comes down to the new earth.  At this the distinction between that special dwelling place of God and the new heavens and earth will cease forever. The two will merge and it is pictured figuratively here in Revelation 21 as the new Jerusalem. The new creation will therefore be heaven on earth which we could describe as:

            a heavenly earth OR an earthly heaven

God is omnipresent. He is present fully everywhere at all times. There is no place where He is not present. God is beyond the confines of space and time. As creatures we are limited by both space and time. We cannot be in two places at one and the same time and we are limited by time. However, the presence of God (whilst always there everywhere) is not universally experienced nor revealed all of the time.

            In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve only experienced God’s presence on occasion.  God was always there – He is omnipresent – but not experienced always. In Genesis 3:8 Adam and Eve heard the sound of the Lord and sought to hide. They became aware of God at this time and sought to hide from His presence. The Lord was always there even when Adam and Eve were unaware of Him. Or consider Moses who requested to see God and was shielded in the cleft of the rock so that the Lord could pass by and he could see only the hinder or back parts of the Lord (Exodus 33). Or think also of the holy of holies in the temple where God’s presence was experienced by the high priest and by Isaiah (Isaiah 6). But in Revelation 21 the glorious presence of God permeates the new creation so that it is manifest, real, obvious, and tangible all of the time for everyone, always. In Revelation 21:22 we are told that there is no temple in this new creation because the special dwelling of God is manifested everywhere always.

            Here in the new creation is the reality of heaven (the special dwelling place of God) on earth. Heaven (the dwelling place of God) is merged with the new creation of God.

Harmony.

            One blessing of this final phase of the experience of heaven is harmony between heaven and earth or within the new creation. In the Lord’s prayer we pray that God’s will, will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In heaven (the special dwelling place of God) God’s will is always done and done perfectly. The angels and saints in heaven always do what God requests. On earth (this earth) His will is not always done. God permits evil for a time. Sin pervades the days in which we live. BUT in the new heavens and earth God’s will, will always be done perfectly. There will be no natural catastrophes. There will be no environmental troubles. There will be no “nature red in tooth and claw.” Instead, there will be harmony (Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:17-25). The lion will lay down with the lamb. There will no longer the groaning of creation. Creation will no more be longing for the release from its bondage brought about by mankind’s sin and the curse (Romans 8:18-22). The new creation will never groan because there will be no more sin. It will be a glorious world in which there is perfect harmony.

The greatest blessing.

            But apart from a world of harmony where sin no longer dwells, the greatest blessing of heaven on earth, of the new heavenly earth, will be the fact that we will live eternally conscious of the glory of God Himself. Every moment (every nanosecond – if such thing exists in the new creation) and every part of our being will be full of the glory of the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9; Habakkuk 2:14). We shall experience knowing God fully. We shall have an endless delight so that all our senses will be absorbed with the majesty and glory of God.

            Some people are thrill seekers, (bungee jumpers, sky divers …). But the glory of this heavenly earth – this earthly heaven – will be an endless thrill, joy, and pleasure. It will be an unlimited, unrestricted fellowship with God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) in all His glory.

            Eternal life begins when a believer first repents and trusts in the Lord. We do experience some of these things of heaven now, but they are not unrestricted, nor unhindered. In heaven these delights will be permanent.

            It is not surprising, therefore, that praise is the central feature of the new creation. We will enjoy proclaiming the praises of God. Every word, thought, action, gesture, or deed will bring praise and glory to God. We will be full of satisfaction – although this word is weak – in knowing what it truly is to worship God as He ought to be worshipped and as He deserves.

The new earth.

            Thinking a little further on this new creation there are two features we need to bear in mind. The term “new earth” is a deliberate term that conveys two important ideas.

[1] It will be familiar territory.

            It is “the earth.” The popular view of heaven with harps and clouds leads some to think that they might get bored. Who wants to sit on a cloud playing a harp all day long? But this idea is so far from the truth as to be laughable.  The glories to come can be described as “earth” in order to show that there is a physical life in heaven. Life after the resurrection is a physical existence. It will be a physical world. It will be familiar (to a degree). There will be physical activities that we know something of now.

            It is an earth but it is not ‘this earth’ with its failing and its sin. There will be recognisable ‘nature’ (creation). In Genesis 1:31 the Lord concluded that the world He had made in the beginning was “very good” and so it was before the fall. The new creation is not a renovation of the old. It will be a new creation, but in many respects the Lord will salvage what man has spoiled.

            Perhaps you know the experience of moving house. It can be unsettling and disturbing. Will you fit in? Will you find it to be your home? But there is no need to fear in coming to heaven! First, you will be with your Father, and you will be with your Elder Brother. Your whole family will be there. It will be like coming home. In reaching heaven we will be coming home truly. Hear we have no continuing city. Then second, you will be familiar with these new surroundings. This new creation will be so much better than those things we know here on this earth. We will be enabled to enjoy fully the perfections of the new creation. No one will ever be homesick for this present earth. We ought to be homesick for heaven to come!

            Physical life is precious. In heaven physical life is to be raised to new heights of glory. Psalm 139 speaks of us as being fearfully and wonderfully made, but in heaven this will be far superior. There have been those who deny that physical existence is good. The ascetics of the early Christian church fell into the heresy of gnosticism which held that the physical was detrimental to the spiritual. The body was to be beaten and held down in order to experience the spiritual. But this is a mistake, for God made us with physical bodies that were described as “good” in Genesis 1. Physical death is not good. God made us physical beings (as well as spiritual) so that the physical aspect of existence is good. But death is the separation of the spiritual (soul/spirit) from the physical (body), and this is not good. When a person dies physically the loss is keenly felt. It is unnatural. Death is an enemy, but it is the last enemy and a defeated one (praise God). Life is not cheap, nor is it disposable. Abortion and euthanasia are denials of the preciousness of physical life. In the new creation we will experience a physical life – but a physical life which is to the full. After the resurrection we will have physical bodies.

[2] It will be ‘new’.

            It will be familiar, physical, something we grasp here and now, but it will also be very different too. There are two Greek words translated as “new” in the New Testament:

[i] neos – something new in time.

[ii] kainos – something of better quality. 

The second word is the one we find to describe this new creation. It will be a far better earth than the old one – greatly superior. Not just in respect of the fall but from the original creation. Life will be familiar, but will be so much more superior compared with current existence as to bear no comparison. Paul quotes Isaiah:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1Corinthains 2:9).

We do not yet fully understand how glorious this new earth will be. It will be familiar, but it will be better by far.

            We can see a glimpse of this superiority in the risen body of the Lord Jesus Christ. After His resurrection He was familiar to the disciples. He ate food and could be touched by them. But He could also appear suddenly in a room with closed doors. Paul wrote to the Philippians:

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. (Philippians 3:20,21).

We have a passport stamped “heaven” and we are citizens of this new creation. We are waiting in eager anticipation for one day the Lord will transform this “lowly body” into one fit for that new creation so that it “may be conformed to His glorious body”! It will be physical, but it will be greater and far superior! Our physical existence in the new heavenly earth or the earthly heaven will be incomparably greater than we have ever known here on this earth. The new superior existence is shown in Revelation 21 by the absence of death, sorrow, sickness, pain … It is qualitatively so superior like nothing seen on earth that it will be literally “out of this world”! The joy, the beauty, the splendour is unimaginable. These bear no comparison to what we know now. It is very difficult to imagine!

            But the thing that makes it so much better and superior is the fact of knowing, loving, and worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ perfectly. The thing that brings greater joy is the knowledge of God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), not simply the absence of pain, sorrow, sickness and death (great though these things will be). All that is done and thought will redound to the glory of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We will never displease the Lord. How incredible is that!

Something to ponder in closing.

            It is only possible to enjoy all of this new creation because of what the Lord Jesus Christ has done in His death on the cross.

            Do you have a place reserved in heaven? If so, then praise Him! Remember what gaining such a place cost Christ at Calvary. Worship Him. Live for Him.

            Are you unsure of a place in heaven? Are you yet to trust in the Lord? If you have not yet repented of sin and put all your trust in Him, then consider your position. We all, by nature, are sinners, rebels, and deserve the wrath of God. There is nothing we can do to make things right. We deserve to experience God’s wrath in full. Yet Christ has suffered this for all who will turn, repent and trust in Him. Turn to Him while there is still day. There is a place reserved in heaven for the contrite repentant ones who call upon God in truth for rescue and deliverance.

May God grant such an assurance of this new heavenly earth to you. Amen.

October 9th 2022: Owen Jones

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Matthew 11:28-30.

The “I wills” of Christ.

            You may well be familiar with the “I am” statements of Christ found in John’s gospel (John 6:35, 41, 48,51; 8:12; 9:5; 10:7, 9, 11, 14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1,5). But what about the “I will” statements? The Lord Jesus made many of these two and they form the promises. Some years ago, I was asked to do a book review by FIEC in their magazine on a book about the “I wills” of Scripture.

            Here in our text we have young disciples in the process of coming to know the Lord. Jesus refers to them as “babes” (Matthew 11:25). Contrast this with the surrounding villages where Jesus had performed most of His miracles. The people of these places did not repent and so Jesus rebuked them (Matthew 11:20). We are not to be childish but we must be child-like, (as the disciples were) for then we will heed what the Lord has declared, for the “Father” had not revealed to the “wise and prudent,” but had to His disciples (Matthew 11:25).

            In the course of His ministry the Lord Jesus spoke to people of all ages and from all walks of life. But some do not hear. I remember a time when speaking at Gorseinon when an atheist said, “I’m intelligent enough to be an atheist,” and paid no attention to the message. Pride is a terrible thing. The apostle Paul was equally proud at one time and persecuted the church, but was brought low and converted by the gracious intervention of the Lord. Augustine (bishop of Hippo 396 – 430 AD) made this comment:

“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”

This is the aim of the Lord in offering such an invitation, peace. We shall look at two things from the Lord’s “I will” statement:

[1] What sinners hear before they come to Christ.

[2] What saints become after they come to Christ.

We shall look at the ‘before,’ and the ‘after.’ All sinners come in sin before, and all saints are separated unto God and sanctified after. A sinner comes with one ‘yoke’ of sin and then continues with a different ‘yoke’ given by Christ.


[1] What sinners were before they come to Christ.

“Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NKJV).

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 28:28, NIV).

In verse 28 we find that the invitation of Christ is addressed to two types of people. There are those who “labour” [NKJV] or are “weary” [NIV], and there are those who “are heavy laden” [NKJV] or are “burdened” (NIV]. Both depict sinful states, but both look at sin from different points of view.

[a] Weary  (those who labour).

            Here the picture of those who are tired out and exhausted through what they do. The ordinary Jew who tried to keep the Law was wearied and tired out with the effort of keeping it all. The Pharisees overtaxed the people with exact ordinances. Now Jesus did not abrogate or ignore the Law, but the Pharisees organised it all into 613 precise things a person must keep. The Lord Jesus in pronouncing woes upon these leaders said this:

“For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” (Matthew 23:4).

These traditions (the additional rules of the Pharisees) were a yoke, and a very heavy one at that. Peter at the council in Jerusalem in arguing against the circumcision lobby made this same point:

“Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” (Acts 15:10).

The laws and traditions of the Pharisees were wearisome and burdensome. They were too much and none could keep up.

            A ‘religious’ life can be wearying. We have many examples in church history. Augustine in the 5th century AD tried to keep the law and to follow the traditions of his days. After wearying himself in trying to keep the rules he sat down in a garden one day and heard a little child saying over and over again, “Take up and read.” Hearing this he eventually went into the house and read in his Bible at random these words:

13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts. (Romans 14:13,14).

At once Augustine saw the light and was released from all his wearying and struggle. He declares:

“I wanted to read no further, nor did I need to. For instantly, as the sentence ended, there was infused in my heart something like the light of full certainty and all the gloom of doubt vanished away,”

We could mention the eighteenth century members of the ‘Holy Club,’ John and Charles Wesley and George Whitfield, which started in 1729. These men had devised a series of questions by which they interrogated their lives and so were dubbed “Methodists.” These amounted to whether they were praying constantly or meditating frequently and helping the poor and so on. It wasn’t until after their time together at Oxford that these men were truly converted and began to preach in the power of the Holy Spirit. They did not renounce the need to be holy but saw the need of true faith before anything else.

            Or what of Martin Luther in reformer of the early sixteenth century? He made monumental efforts to find peace and rest by all sorts of means and works. You should look up the story of his conversion. After years of fruitless effort he came to understand that the “righteousness of God” that Paul wrote of was not something he needed to live up to but was a gift from God. He writes concerning Romans 1:17:

“At last, by the mercy of God, meditating day and night, I gave heed to the context of the words, namely, “In it the righteousness of God is revealed, as it is written, ‘He who through faith is righteous shall live.'” There I began to understand that the righteousness of God is that by which the righteous lives by a gift of God, namely by faith. And this is the meaning: the righteousness of God is revealed by the gospel, namely, the passive righteousness with which merciful God justifies us by faith, as it is written, “He who through faith is righteous shall live.” Here I felt that I was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself through open gates.”

Are you like Paul, Augustine, Luther, and others desperately trying to match some ideal, some standard? Are you trying to justify yourself by your works or your attitude? Are you relying on tradition, the rules of men, or self-effort? Such is really hard labour! The burden will not go away, for it is wearying, exhausting, draining. Trying to earn salvation or peace is hopeless. All of these and many more examples show clearly that such a life is wearying.

[b] Burdened (those who are heavy laden).

            I do not think that this expression is simply the same as the first. We have been considering the weariness of life in trying to find true peace. All our efforts come to nothing. But here we have a different aspect of sin. This is not tautology. Here the idea is of sin in its various expressions. The focus on sensual experience or worldly pursuits without any reference to God. We are all by nature slaves to sin. Sin takes many forms, and we are burdened with these many sins. The person given to some form of addiction is burdened and heavy laden. The person fuelled by greed or lust is burdened and weighed down with their sin. The jealous, proud, and perverted are all constrained by their desires and burdened by the dissatisfaction and the load that they bear.

            In these two senses we see the world of man described. People of all ages and types are weary trying to find peace from this quarter and that, and they are burdened and heavy laden with the weight of the sinful ways.

Come to Him!

            To both types the invitation is offered – come to Christ (Matthew 11:28). I counted more than 39 hymns which begin or have included within them this idea of coming to the Lord Jesus. Joseph Hart (1712-1768) wrote these words:

Come, ye sinners, poor and wretched,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready waits to save you,
Full of pity, love and pow’r:
He is able, He is able,
He is willing, doubt no more.

The rest of the hymn speaks of the earnestness of coming to Christ and gives reasons not to delay. Is the offer of Christ real? To come really signifies to believe. By calling people to come, the Lord is saying “believe in Me.” Coming to Christ is trusting in Him and believing in Him wholeheartedly. Have you come to Him? Have you trusted and put all your faith in Him?

I will give you rest!

            What does the Lord mean by this promise? What type of “rest” is meant? It is a rest from all labour and wearying, and it is a rest from carrying the burden of sin. Remember that the Lord Jesus knows everything about us. He knows our weary ways and He knows our burdens – our sins. And yet He still asks you to come and believe!

            Christ Jesus can offer this rest because of what He did at Calvary on the cross. Your work and labour is futile but Christ’s work is finished and complete! Where you have failed both in wearying and being burdened, Christ has triumphed in full measure. Christ came to do everything that sinful fallen man could not do. 

            The burden was rolled away – here is an old chorus we used to sing:

Rolled away, rolled away, rolled away
Every burden on my heart rolled away
Rolled away, rolled away, rolled away
Every burden on my heart rolled away
All my sin had to go, ‘Neath the crimson flow.
Rolled away, rolled away, rolled away
Every burden on my heart rolled away

Are we burdened and weary and still carrying these sins, or are we of those who have been set free? Are you bearing sins and the yoke of weariness? How can you leave this place with the weariness and burdens you are under?

[2] What saints become after they come to Christ.

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. (Matthew 11:29).

Coming to Christ does not make us yoke free. We must bear Christ’s yoke. The Lord Jesus takes our burden and sin and gives us His yoke, which is a privilege to bear. We have a responsibility as servants of God. We are not the subjects of some tyrannical despot, of some conqueror who dominates and subdues, but we are subjects of the King who brings joy and fellowship. The image Christ displays is of a double yoke in which two animals are hitched together. He gives us a yoke that we are, by the strength of God, enabled to bear. His yoke is one He provides along with His strength. It is a gracious yoke for it allows us to walk with Him.

            The Lord has done all that is needed in His death and now those who have come are yoked together with Christ. In Matthew 11:29 we are to learn lessons from Christ because He is “gentle and lowly in heart.” Some teachers crush their pupils. Have you had to endure “double maths”? Well, the Lord Jesus is not like that! We are called to obey, to repent, to follow but the Lord enables. It is truly a privilege to bear Christ’s yoke for He teaches with grace and compassion. He imparts a teachable spirit to those who come. Some people “know-it-all” and you cannot ever teach them. They are proud and arrogant, but the Lord teaches in a lowly way so that those who come are taught lowliness too.

            We are to be life-long-learners. We never graduate from the university of the yoke of Christ. Some disparage those who get qualification after qualification. Why don’t they get a job? But the Lord expects us to be students of Him for all time and for eternity. The Lord is asking us to come to His school when He says, “Take My yoke.” Of course, academic qualifications can only lead you so far, but the Lord will qualify you to enter glory (Colossians 1:12). In our education system students do a range of subjects at GCSE, then specialise in two or three at A level, and then specialise even more as the go to university. In the school of God we major in the person and work of Christ – a subject which encompasses everything (Colossians 2:2,3). Is Christ our major subject of study? Learn from Him. Make Him your focus and study. He wants us to know Him that we might declare His praises (1Peter 2:9).

            There are two types of people in the world: givers and takers. Christ is the Greatest Giver will you not take from Him? We will find true rest in this yoke bearing. William Hendriksen translates Matthew 11:28 like this: “Come to Me, I will rest you.” The emphasis is upon the Lord’s great care and compassion in bringing rest. Man can never get this rest by self-effort or ingenuity. It is not something discovered by some man-made system or plan. It is only something disclosed or revealed by the Lord. The Lord, and He alone, can give such rest.

            The Lord has given us the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Creator of life, and He will bring comfort and rest to the weary soul. Elsewhere we read these words of Christ:

28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one. (John 10:28-30).

We cannot be snatched from the hands of Christ and neither from the hands of the Father. We are doubly secure and so find true rest in God.

What burdens do you bear? What wearies you? Have you come to Christ who gives rest, true rest?

October 2nd 2022: Colin Jones

Published on by Penuel Baptist Roch1 Comment

Texts: Habakkuk 1:2-5,12-15; 2:3,4,18-20; 3:17-19.

Brief background.

            Habakkuk is a book which displays something of what we may feel but might be afraid to express. He asks the question we might not wish to ask. Habakkuk was contemporary with Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Zephaniah. Everything in the world of that time was undergoing change. Assyria had been the great super-power during the days of Isaiah and Hezekiah where the Lord wonderfully brought about a great defeat for Assyria at Jerusalem (Isaiah 37). But in 626 BC Nabopolassar, the king of Babylon, rebelled against Assyria’s dominance. In 612 BC Nineveh was destroyed, and by 609 BC Assyria was no more. Thus, Babylon became the super-power of the time. It was this regime which took Judah captive and by 586 BC the Babylonian ruler, Nebuchadnezzar, had taken Jerusalem and the nation was no more (until the exile).

Where is God when trouble abounds?

            The central feature of this book is the question of why things go wrong (from our perspective) and how we should view them correctly. The Scriptures are blunt and openly honest. We do not read sanitized versions of the people that God had dealings with. Abraham was a man of faith and the friend of God, but he treated Sarah, his wife, in a very poor way on two occasions. David was a man after the Lord’s own heart and yet he committed murder and adultery. Jeremiah is open too with the Lord, expressing his concerns about what was happening, and on one occasion he stated that the Lord had “deceived” the people (Jeremiah 4:10). But even though Jeremiah speaks to the Lord in such ways, there was no lightning bolt from the Lord! The former prophet Elijah after the contest at Mount Carmel despaired when he heard of Jezebel’s threats and ran for his life to the wilderness. The Lord made him sleep, then eat, and then sleep again before taking him to Mount Horeb where He spoke not in thunder nor lightning, but in a still small voice (1Kings 19:1-18).

            The Scriptures are an incredible record of how God is patient and caring for His people. God has no need to justify Himself and His actions, for He is good and always does good (Psalm 119:68). But even though He does not need to explain anything, He does explain much to us. Often not in the ways we might expect, but always in the ways which are good for us. God even tells us the end of the story in the book of Revelation.

A look at the texts.

            In Habakkuk 1:2-4 the prophet seems to be saying that they were going through tough and terrible times and the Lord seemed not to be concerned, but rather He appeared to be paralysed. There was “violence” and “iniquity” but the Lord did not seem to want to save nor to hear. There was “strife” and “contention” and the law seemed powerless whilst the wicked continued and the righteous were treated badly. We too have had tough times in recent years with the pandemic and with economic hardship so that some are saying “where is God in all this difficulty?” Some ask why God does not intervene? The Lord had defeated Egypt in rescuing Israel from bondage and He had defeated Assyria during the reign of Hezekiah, so where is He now?

            In Habakkuk 1:5f the Lord answers, but not as expected. He is raising up the Babylonians (Habakkuk 1:6). Assyria were described as the Lord’s “rod” of His wrath (Isaiah 10:5-12) to deal with Israel, but they overstepped the mark so now the Lord was raising up the Babylonians to correct them. Now, it would seem, the Babylonians appear to be worse than the Assyrians (Habakkuk 1:7,8).

            In Habakkuk 1:12,13 the prophet appeals to the character of God. He is eternal and He is pure so why does He allow the wicked to prosper and say nothing when they treat the righteous so badly? We can imagine Habakkuk saying something along these lines: “Israel was more righteous than the Assyrians but they seemed to win out generally, and now the Babylonians have arisen and they are worse than the Assyrians and yet they will win out – how can this be? We might ask similar questions: “Why is Putin still in power?” “Why do the wicked prosper and get richer and good people suffer?”  “Surely the God who is good, holy, and just can see these wicked things happening so why does He not act?”

Babylon – a picture of the world.

            The first mention of an empire comes in Genesis 10 and 11 where we read of Nimrod, the mighty hunter against the Lord, who built Babel the beginning of his kingdom. This rebellion was a direct challenge to the command of the Lord. God wanted mankind to spread out across the globe (Genesis 9:1-7) but Nimrod led a rebellion so that they could make a name for themselves. They built their own way, their own religion, their own systems, and all so that they could glory in themselves. Well God confused their languages so that their project came to an end – although the Lord allowed Nimrod to build further cities.

            We do not read again of Babylon until their resurgence during the time of Hezekiah (Isaiah 39). When Babylon regained power during the ministry of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, we find Daniel and his friends in captivity. The first way in which Babylon exerted its pressure upon the people of God came with the food they were eating. This was in order to undermine their trust in God, for He had told them what foods they could and could not eat in the Law. What were the exiles to do? Well in Daniel chapter 1 we find that Daniel refused to compromise on this issue and God gave him favour. Then the stakes were raised, for in Daniel chapter 3 the challenge to the people of God was to compromise in worship. Shadrach. Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the golden statue the king had made, and so were thrown into the fiery furnace. But wonderfully we discover that there were actually four people to be seen in the flames, and none were burned up even though the fire was fierce and at its top heat. Babylon’s challenge to the people of God began small (concerning food) and then got more serious (whom should we worship). And then in Daniel 6 we find that persecution for Daniel comes in connection with his inner practice of praying. They could not fault Daniel in any way save in connection with His faith. The king’s advisers convince the king to make life impossible for Daniel – you cannot pray to anyone except the king! What would Daniel do? Well he continued his normal practice and for this was thrown to the lions. The angel prevented the lions from harming Daniel, but they were still ravenous for they consumed others thrown into the same pit after Daniel was lifted out. Or we could point to Psalm 137 where the captors ask the captive exiles to sing a song for them. The exiles could not because all their songs were of Jerusalem and this was now gone. Babylon’s final end is pictured in Revelation 14:8 – fallen!

God’s answer.

            What does God say to Habakkuk in reply to his question as to what was going on?

First answer.

            The Lord’s first answer comes in Habakkuk 2:3

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”

The vision is not for now. Habakkuk must wait. It will all occur just as God has planned. It is “in My time and not your time” says the Lord. How we want an instant answer! But God says “I know what I am doing, and I know when is the right time to act.” All God’s times are right. He sent His Son into the world at the right time. All our times are in His hand.

            In 2Peter 3:8,9 the apostle tells us that with the Lord a day is as a thousand years and He is not slow concerning that which He has promised. All will come about just as He has planned. The Lord has a much broader agenda than Habakkuk (and we) realise. You, Habakkuk, are looking at things from the point of view of Habakkuk. The Lord is looking at things from not just a heavenly perspective but from a whole world view point. There are many more people to consider! There are still people to gather in, and so the Lord continues to uphold the universe allowing the wicked a time because He has people who are yet to be born for whom He has died and will bring to glory.

            God is working in our lives through these difficult times for our good and for our sanctification. What did we learn through the pandemic? Some began to see the vital importance of fellowship because they had missed it so much during the lock-down. The Lord is also sifting through times of trouble and difficulty. Many people did not come back to some churches after the pandemic and some churches closed. There is a separating of the wheat from the chaff going on. How serious are we in following the Lord? We are to heed these words of Paul:

“rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.” (Romans 12:12).

When it seems that the Lord is not delivering then keep trusting and keep believing.

Second answer.

            The second answer comes in Habakkuk 2:4b: “But the just shall live by his faith.” These words have been world-shattering. The reformer Martin Luther sought peace and a right relationship with God through all the means he could see from his Roman Catholic environment, penances, indulgences, pilgrimages and so on. He tried all sorts of works-based means to get himself accepted by God, to try and demonstrate his righteousness before God, but then he came across these words and everything changed. This Scripture, for him, was one of the greatest gifts that God could give. It was this text that released him from all his efforts at gaining salvation.

            The wonderfully unique thing about the gospel is that it is all through grace and not by self-effort nor by works. Every other religion, world view, system of thought or so-called ‘faith’ requires a person to do something by their own effort, or to offer something from their own means. Christ has done everything necessary so that when the Lord was asked by some of His followers: “what shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” the Lord replied by saying: “this is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent” (John 6:28,29).

            We must live by faith and not by sight (2Corinthians 5:7). The clamour of man to prove his worth or to demonstrate his value is all a waste of time because of sin. In Habbakuk we hear these words:

“But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.” (Habakkuk 2:20).

There is no argument nor persuasion against the Lord. Mankind must be silent before Him for he can do nothing and offer nothing which will be acceptable to God. One Man alone did all that was necessary and that was Christ Jesus, the Son of God. He gives to us His righteousness and so we are now “just” and we continue in this by faith in Him.

            Now such a view is generally unacceptable to people. When the Lord Jesus pointed out this teaching that we can live only by faith and trust in Him, and that to live we must feed on Him for we can nothing to make ourselves presentable, many of His followers left Him (John 6:66). He then asked His disciples if they too were going to leave, Peter replied: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:68,69).

            This may be a “hard saying” (John 6:60) but it is the best, the only, and the surest way to find peace and true satisfaction. “The just shall live by his faith.”

Third answer.

            The third answer comes in Habakkuk 3:17-20. Habbakuk imagines the worst possible situation that he could think of:

“Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labour of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls.”  (Habakkuk 3:17).

He imagines a situation of abject and complete famine so that everything fails. What then? Well even though the worst possible thing could come about in God’s plan:


“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.” (Habakkuk 3:18-20).

He will rejoice in the Lord (cf. Philippians 4:4). Notice how he reminds himself of the character of God for He is the covenant keeping God of all power and strength. Look to what he knows the Lord will do for him too (“he will make …”). Even in the direst and most dark of circumstances Habakkuk has come to know that the Lord God is still on the throne, and He is still for His people. God will not abandon them, and He will never leave them even though He may have to chastise them for their sanctification.

By way of application.

            How should we face adversity (in whatever form it may come)? Trust fully in the Lord. The just (those given righteousness from Christ) live by faith in the Lord Jesus. God is faithful. We can trust in Him. Consider His character and attributes. Moses requested a view to see God (Exodus 33:18), but the Lord said He could not see Him and live, so He placed him in the cleft of the rock and passed by covering Moses with His hand enabling Moses to see His back (Exodus 33:2-22). And then when the Lord passed before Moses He proclaimed:

“The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:6,7).

This is God. He abounds in mercy and grace. He is patient beyond human imagining. He is good, true, and righteousness, so that no sin will be left that is not dealt with. The Lord promised Noah that He would never again flood the earth and He has kept this promise. But we know in reality that sometimes harsh and difficult times will come. The world as a whole may never be flooded again but what of the floods in various places and at various times? Assyria was bad, Babylon was worse, but God is always good. These difficulties are sent to chastise us as Hebrews 12:7-11 tells us. Let us therefore consider the good and faithful God and seek to learn what it is that God is teaching us through such difficulties.

            In Hebrews 12:2 we are exhorted to look to the Lord Jesus:

“… the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2).

We can face the trials and tribulations to come if we:

Nourish ourselves on the Lord and all He has provided us (He will not forsake us).

Nourish ourselves on the future that God has promised us in glory.

We may grow old and get weaker, but the Lord never leaves His people. We may have to suffer but the Lord has gone before us as our Pioneer. Remember that He has prepared a place for us in glory to be with Him forever (John 14:2; 17:24).

September 29th 2022: Adrian Brake

Published on by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

Harvest Service

Texts: Acts 14:8-18; Haggai 1:1-11; Genesis 8:20-22.

            God wants us to know Him. He has made Himself known clearly and wonderfully in three important ways. First, He has made Himself known in Scripture. The Scriptures are the “word of God” in which He manifests Himself. Secondly, He has made Himself known through the coming of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Word made flesh (John 1:14) who declared to us the Father (John 1:18; 14:7-11). But then, thirdly, He has made Himself known through creation.

            There are three things we can learn at this harvest time by looking at what God has done in and through creation.

[1] Harvest time tells us something about God’s love.

[2] Harvest time tells us something about God’s mercy.

[3] Harvest time tells us something about God’s faithfulness.

These three things are put on display in creation by God. The Lord loves humanity. He cares deeply for mankind. He is loving, merciful, and faithful.

[1] Harvest time tells us something about God’s love.

            1 John 3:18 tells us that we must not love in word only but in action and in truth. God loves in action! God expresses His love in ways which we can experience. He gives us gifts. Most people like to give gifts. Such a thing shows that we are made in the image of God which although fallen and marred is not completely lost. In that we give gifts we know also that God gives such to a greater degree. When a person gives another a gift it is a way of saying “I love you,” or “I care.” God has given to humanity certain gifts and these declare His love.

[a] Food.

            One of these gifts is food. Where does food come from? Sadly, many youth think it comes from the supermarkets! But we know that it comes from the miracle of God’s creative works. We could speak of the soil, the sun, the rain, the warmth and so on, but all of these are provided by God. He made the systems that enable the seeds to grow in the soil. He provides the water and sunlight to enable photosynthesis to occur. It is God who brings our food to the table. In Acts 14 we hear Paul speaking of the Lord’s witness to those of Lystra:

“Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:17).

The people of Lystra did not have the law, the tabernacle, the prophets, nor the sacrifices, but they did have creation, (Psalm 19:1). God loves the cheerful or generous giver, for He is a very generous giver Himself. All of creation witnesses to this. Did He not make an abundance of creatures in the seas and on the land?

            A recent supermarket leaflet lamented the fact that in the UK we waste 6.4 million tons of food every year. This amounts to 730 lbs per household every year. There is a vast abundance of food in this land! God is a generous giver! God has provided. The problem of lack in different areas is not due to God’s lack of provision, but mankind’s greed and sinfulness.

[b] A more precious gift.

            We need food to survive and God has given this in abundance. But we need something else more desperately. Our greatest need is the forgiveness of sins. If we cannot survive bodily without food, then note that we will not survive eternally without the forgiveness of sins.

            God created us to know Him but we are unthankful and rebellious. If we do not know Him then the wrath of God abides on us (John 3:36). But God is so generous and kind that He has provided His only Son for us. Through His coming, His death, His resurrection, and His ascension we are given the gift of eternal life and the forgiveness of sins. This Person is the greatest gift that God has given to us (John 3:16).

            God has given us food that we may thrive bodily. And He has also given us the Lord Jesus Christ that we might have eternal life. Jesus referred to Himself as the “bread of life” (Genesis 6:35,48). In this manner God has loved us. The coming and sacrifice of Christ demonstrates God’s love to unholy men and women (Romans 5:8).

            In Luke’s gospel we read of the rich man and a beggar named Lazarus (Luke 16:19f). The rich man had plenty to eat in this world but in death he was cast into the torment and flames. The poor beggar, Lazarus, ate the crumbs from the rich man’s table and was taken to paradise. There is a great gulf between these two places where souls are delivered after death. If all we have in this world is an abundance of earthly food then we will end up in the same place as this rich man. If, however, we have little of this world’s fare but are rich in the knowledge of God, we have heaven to look forward to.  

            The apostle John wrote:

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1John 4:10).

If we trust in the Lord and in His provision through Christ Jesus, then we are highly favoured and greatly blessed. But if not then we need to see His provision of Christ afresh.

[2] Harvest time tells us something about God’s mercy.

            In Haggai 1:1-11 we read of a failed harvest. They sowed the seed but reaped little in the end. Why? Well, we read that God “blew it away” (Haggai 1:9). He did this because they had forgotten God’s house. Because they had rejected the Lord in their neglect. The exiles were those who returned from captivity and were enabled through Nehemiah and by God’s power to rebuild the walls. Having done this, they set about building themselves their “panelled houses” but they did not attend to the house of the Lord. They did not set themselves to rebuild the temple. They had no thought of the glory of God. So, God chastised is people by withholding the harvest.

            In our land the Lord has been good and gracious. We have been greatly favoured. We have a great history of God’s goodness so that by-and-large we enjoy happiness and peace in our land with an abundance of food. However, in general we do not think of God. In our rebellion and neglect are we any less guilty than the Israelites of Haggai’s day? Does not our land deserve the same chastisement? In all of this we see that God is merciful.

Mercy is when God does not give us what we deserve.

Grace is when God gives us those things we do not deserve.

What of those who have not? What of those who do in fact starve? Well in a recent supermarket magazine we are told that 29,000 tons of oranges and 6,000 tons of spring onions, all valued at £84 million, are thrown away every year. We do indeed have sufficient but we are grossly negligent in sharing this abundance. It is due to our sin and greed that some starve, not because God does not provide. Psalm 145 tells us something of God’s great provision:


“9 The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. … 15 The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. 16 You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” (Psalm 145:9,15,16).

God gives generously to all.

“He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45).

In Acts 14:17 we discovered that even though the unbelievers had no thought of God. Nevertheless, He gave them rain and fruitful seasons, food and gladness. Now this fact that we have an abundance of food is due to the mercy of God. At any moment He could justly and righteously consign our souls to hell. This is what we deserve. But He does not send us there even though we do deserve it, but rather He continues to give and provide for us. This is the mercy of God, withholding what we justly deserve. God spares us and He spares us, and He spares us. How long have you been spared the judgment you deserve? God is truly patient and long suffering (2Peter 3:9). Think of the multitudes alive at this moment who have no thought of God and who are rebelling in wicked ways. These are held back from the judgement they deserve. This is only on account of God’s great mercy.

            But there is a time limit for God’s mercy (Genesis 6:3). As day succeeds day, God withholds His judgement from us. He strives and bears with us. Do not presume on this mercy. God could take you at any moment (Hebrews 9:27) but He has enabled you to see this day in which He has graciously provided for you both food to eat for your body and food for your eternal soul. Why would you not take and eat of the Lord?

[3] Harvest time tells us something about God’s faithfulness.

            In Genesis 8:21 we learn that God promised Noah He would not destroy the world again with the waters of the flood. He promised this even though “the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth.” Man’s heart had not changed through the flood. He was wicked before the flood and man continues to be wicked after the flood (the Tower of Babel event in Genesis 11:1f declares this especially).  But God promised the entire world that seed sowing, the harvest, the seasons, and the order of day and night would continue unabated throughout the remainder of time (Genesis 8:22).

            God has kept this promise for the harvest has come. How many harvests have come throughout time? The Lord promises and He always does what He has said He will do. God is faithful. What of His many other promises in Scripture? Here are a selection:

[1] Whoever comes to the Lord Jesus He will never cast out (John 6:37). He will keep and preserve all who come to Jesus forever.

[2] Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).

[3] My God shall supply all your need (Philippians 4:19).

[4] God will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

[5] The Lord Jesus promised that He will come back for us (John 14:3; Acts 1:11).

We can build on such promises (and there are many more in Scripture) for God is faithful and what He has said He will most certainly do.

We are here to give thanks. We give thanks for:

The God of love – He is great, generous, and abundant in His love for He gives us food to eat and the bread of life for our souls.

The God of mercy – He has withheld that which we deserve in patience offering us the salvation and redemption which are found alone in Christ.

The God of faithfulness – He has promised so much for us, and He will keep this world going in its regular order until that day, and we can rely on all that He has said.

September 25th 2022: Ian Middlemist

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Psalm 40:1-3.

            How patient are we? What are we like when we have to wait? In this Psalm we see an example of king David having exercised patience in difficulty (Psalm 40:1-3), then seeks to trust the Lord and His deliverance once again (Psalm 40:11,13).

            David has had a dreadful experience in the “pit,” a place of darkness and despair, In the first half of the Psalm (verses 1-10) we discover how the Lord got him out of the pit on one occasion. In the second half of the Psalm (verses 11-17) it is evident that David is now in another “pit” and cries to the Lord for deliverance once again.

Considering the experience David recalls in Psalm 40:1-3 we can see three features of David’s experience:

[1] King David experiences an inner struggle.

            We are not sure what the particular difficulty is, but it is clearly an internal struggle. He cries to the Lord (40:1). Elsewhere, in Psalm 6:6 we learn of David crying to such an extent that he drenched his bed with tears. This situation (whatever it may have been) was clearly very bad as shown by the imagery of the pit and the miry clay.

            What did David do? We might imagine a small child with their father in a swimming pool but who then gets out of their depth and is suddenly terrified crying out to dad for help. This cry of David is directed to the Lord, for David knew that the Lord was ready to hear his cries, just as the child knows his father is nearby in the pool. We must trust to nothing else save the Lord. Other helps such as doctors, nurses, medics and so on are useful but they are not the ones we direct our cries to for help. The Lord may use such to help as He wills but the cry must go to the Lord.

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.  (Psalm 118:8)

            What are the things we might do when a crisis occurs? We may not wait upon the Lord. We may take action into our own hands, or seek help using our own ingenuity and strength. Sometimes we fret, sometimes we withdraw, sometimes we run, sometimes we control others, sometimes we defend ourselves or justify our actions, but all of this is idolatry for we are not trusting in the Lord but in self or in another (medical profession) or some scheme or viewpoint (wrong-headed thinking).

            What else did David do? He waited patiently (40:1). The Hebrew is literally “I waited waitingly.” He did not just wait for a time like Saul for Samuel to come and perform the sacrifice (1Samuel 13:8-11). He waited with a settled mind and heart waiting for the Lord to act. He was not going to stop waiting. He was going to be consistent in his waiting for the Lord. Remember that God knows what He is doing. His timing is always perfect. It was in due time that Christ came and died for us. All time is in God’s hands. He who sent His Son to die for us loves us, and so His seeming delay is for our good. He expects us to wait for Him. He does not give us all that we ask or desire immediately. His purpose in delaying is for our sanctification and holiness. Waiting for the Lord and waiting upon the Lord is an essential part of the Christian life. We are to wait upon the Lord in humility, in hope, and in expectation.

[2] King David was rescued from the pit.

            What is intended by this image of the pit and the miry or boggy clay? Perhaps we should think of a cistern or dungeon like the one Jeremiah was thrown into and sank into the mire nearly to his death (Jeremiah 38:6)? Or maybe a deep well, dark, dank, putrid, from which there is no escape? Perhaps the intention was to suggest that he was at death’s door? The issue king David faced could have been a national threat from an enemy, or it may have been an illness. It could have been any number of things. And so we are justified in applying this in a general sense to cover all those situations where we find ourselves in a pit of despair, a boggy mess from which we can see no escape. Each of us encounter such pits of despair from time to time and each of our experiences differ, but all may be linked with this experience king David was going through. Only the Lord knows the depths of our miry pit so we must be careful with respect to the experiences others are going through. What they are struggling with maybe something you take in your stride. But to them it is a boggy mess and they will need our love and watchful prayers so that they can look to the Lord. Remember that God really does care for you. David also wrote these words when he was captured by the Philistines:

You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book? (Psalm 56:8).

We do not need to limit the application to certain difficulties or struggles, for God collects every tear!

            We learn here that king David was lifted out of this pit of despair and he was placed in a firm and secure place so that his feet were on the rock (40:2). God will lift us out of our pit and boggy situation. So we can approach God with expectancy. King David recalled the occasion that God drew him out of the pit and he reasons that the Lord will do so again. God has not changed. His power is not weakened. He still loves and cares for His people.

            In the bog and mire all we can see is the problem, the issue, and (what seems like) the unanswered prayers. But the Lord will (in His perfect time) life us up out of the pit of despair. Now from other Scriptures we know that this happens in two ways.

[a] He may indeed take us out of the situation, or He may remove the difficulty and problem completely. Sometimes the Lord heals miraculously.

[b] He might deliver us within the situation, giving us more grace and strength. The testimony of a believer in difficulty is a great witness.

Whatever way the Lord chooses to deliver and save from the pit we know that it is accompanied with an incredible peace which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

            If you have not yet cried out to the Lord to save you from the pit of despair then cry to Him now for now is the day of salvation. The Lord is still heeding those who cry out to be rescued so why will you not come?

[3] King David sings!

            King David knew the Lord’s deliverance from a desperate situation but how does he respond to his rescue? Well the only valid response is to sing! People sing naturally when they have received something wonderful or marvellous. Some sing when their football team does well! Others sing when they fall in love. But king David sings because of his deliverance by the Lord. This is why we sing!

            Think how important singing is. We can express truths with a depth of emotion that speaking in conversation does not convey. Think of the many examples of godly music written over the years. Whilst our hearts are engaged in singing in praise to the Lord, songs are sung for others to hear as well. King David speaks later of not hiding the Lord’s goodness in his heart (Psalm 40:9,10), and singing the truths is one important way we declare the gospel.

            But apart from the singing of hymns and songs in the great congregation, king David’s expression is a personal one. He sung out in grateful thanks to the Lord. We too can sing out a personal song of praise to God. Let me encourage you to ‘sing your song of deliverance’ (Psalm 32:7). It is very important that we share our testimonies! The Lord has done great things and so king David sings out in praise. May we sing of all that the Lord has done for us in all things!

September 18th 2022: Thomas Kitchen

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Hebrews 12:18-29

A Kingdom that cannot be shaken

Bad things happen. After previous challenges, people thought 2020 would be a better year. Then Covid struck! It seems every couple of years there is something public that affects us in our personal lives. There is something going on, a trail for us. We think things will get worse. People are lovers of money, self and arrogant. What happens when something unforeseen happens? We need encouragement in these times.

There are a few things which cannot be shaken, “And to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” (Hebrews 12:24). We have Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant. Abel died for nothing because Cain was jealous. But Jesus’ death brought in a new covenant, a huge development for the whole world.

What is unshakeable?

  1. The Throne of God
  2. The Word of God
  3. The Church of God
  4. The Child of God
  5. The Cross of Christ

We have things that change, “26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.” (Hebrews 12:26-27). This indicates the removal of things that have been made. Are we trusting in man-made things?

The Throne of God cannot be shaken.

God is on the throne. The Psalms have a great deal to say about God’s sovereignty (e.g. Psalm 103:19, 47:8). God’s throne is unshakeable. Perhaps an anxious Christian or a sceptical non-Christian would say these verses just refer to the Old Testament. There is a difference between then and now, but humanity is exactly the same – exceedingly sinful. The main thing that hasn’t changed is God is the same yesterday, today and forever. We are not the same as we were yesterday, or we will be tomorrow. God is the same. He was on the throne in the Psalms and He is on the throne now. Revelation talks of some things happening now and some things in the future, “At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.” (Revelation 4:2). The One on the throne is the One seated on the throne before existence. All the horrors of the world can come crashing down on us, but God will laugh. He and His throne are unshakeable. What if Covid strikes again and gets worse, or another disease comes? If it does, then we can rest in the joy and the fact that the Lord God is sovereign.

  • The Word of God cannot be shaken.

There are three ways to talk of the Word of God:
              Jesus is the Word,
              the Word speaks of God’s promises, which are unshakeable,
              God’s Word – the Bible.

All 66 books of the Bible were written by God. No man who wrote a book in the bible was the same as another man. There are different styles of writing but all the books are written by God Himself. We have the very words of God. I’m not sure we, as Christians, appreciate that today. When we open the Bible, God is literally speaking to us. When it is preached, God preaches. When a preacher says, ‘Today is the day of salvation,’ that is God speaking. You are hearing God Himself.  1 Peter 1 underlines this truth. God’s Word will never fail or falter. We weren’t saved by hearing a human bit of good news, but by hearing the divine news, the heavenly news, spoken straight from the mouth of God. People may feel Christianity is on the way out, but these are feelings against the Word of God itself. We can tell people with confidence about Jesus, our Saviour. His Word will accomplish what it set out to do – to save souls.

  • The Church of God cannot be shaken.

The Church is not a literal building. The real Church of God is His people. If we are believers, we are Christ’s Bride and He is our Bridegroom (Revelation 19). We will be united to Him at the marriage supper. Stunning! We will be blessed to be at the marriage supper of the Lamb. If you’re a Christian and leaning on the finished work of Christ, you’re a member of heaven. We’ve been given access now.

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” (Hebrews 12:28). We are meant to be grateful because we’re blessed now. We’ve entered the Kingdom. We’re joint heirs with Jesus Christ. That’s where our status lies. We are joint firstborn sons. We’re with Him and we’ll get to fully enjoy that one day in heaven. On earth, we’re just as much His church here. People in heaven are not more secure than us. There is no difference, except those in heaven see more of the eternal glory.

We may question if Christianity is really growing, but God promised, ‘I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail.’ The Church of God will not be shaken. We are the elect people of God, chosen from before the foundation of the world. Pray that God will continue to add to the local church.

  • The Child of God cannot be shaken.

We, as individuals, are so insignificant. We could crumble if there’s enough pressure. You may see a godly preacher and think you’ll never reach that point. You might compare yourself to other Christians who have been a Christian for the same amount of time as you, but they are further along in their spiritual journey. But the humble child of God cannot be shaken. When you’re in Christ you can never be lost (John 10:28-30). Whether you’ve been saved 30 seconds or thirty years, if you’re in Christ, you can never be lost.

Christ is the sinner’s surety. We’ve been given His righteousness. God takes our unrighteousness and gives us Jesus’ righteousness. We stand before God as if we’re Jesus. Jesus stood in our place so that we can stand in is place i.e. before God. We will still sin after we’ve been saved; until God gives us new bodies we’ll continue to sin. But because we’re in Christ we stand before God as if we were Jesus Himself. We still sin, badly, but it will never mean that we will ever be lost. If you’re genuinely trusting in Christ – not genuinely coming to church, genuinely singing each song, no – genuinely trusting in Christ – then you have nothing to fear. When you pray on your knees in your bedroom, He will hear you, just as He will hear every other single person praying, and He will devote all His attention to you. We don’t understand it, but it’s true.

People laughed and jeered at Jesus as He died on the cross. For those trusting in Him, His death placed you safely in God’s hands. You’ll never be shaken because you’re held safe in His unshakeable hands.

  • The Cross of Christ cannot be shaken.

If we’re not in Christ, we can and will be shaken (Hebrews 12:25). Don’t think you’ll escape Jesus because He’s in heaven and you can’t see Him! If you’re not in Christ, of course you can be shaken. You have no great work that cannot be shaken. If you’re trust isn’t in Christ, you’re in sinking sand – straight to the depths of hell.

If you’re a saved person, know this: you will never be unsaved. You have been saved through the cross, through Jesus’ sacrifice. The work of the cross still stands. When Jesus hung on the cross and said, “It is finished,” it was to say with certainty, His work of salvation was done. He has saved people. If you’re one of His people, you are saved and always will be saved. You’ve been bought and paid for by the blood of your Saviour. This is how you have been brought into the Kingdom. If you’re a Christian, that should be a great encouragement. God is unshakeable, so we are unshakeable.

If you are not trusting in Christ, what are you trusting in? Sport? Money? Family? Are these unshakeable to you? If it’s not Christ, you will lose it and lose your soul. You need to trust in Christ now. Right now. Trust on Jesus’ cry of, “It is finished.” Trust His Word that He goes to prepare a place for you and will come back for you, so you will be where He is.

September 11th 2022: Dave Evans

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Psalm 90: The Eternity of God, the Brevity of Man

This is the only psalm we have written by Moses. We have no idea of the context; possibly Moses was contemplating the death of Aaron or Miriam or his own departure. It is a description on the brevity of life.

At the outset, in verses 3-6, Moses is reminding us of how God made us (Genesis 2:7). In describing the brevity of life, Moses uses some vivid picture. In verse 5 he says, “You sweep them away as with a flood.” It is like a tsunami. He goes on, “they are like a dream.” A dream can seem so real, then we awake and in a moment it’s all vanished. Thirdly, Moses speaks of the brevity of life being, “like grass that is renewed in the morning,” a familiar description for those who live in dry, arid lands. The ground can seem so barren, then the rain comes, and a swathe of green appears. But if there is no more rain, the sun rises and quickly burns it off, and the ground it back to where it was before.

Moses says this is what life is like and yet that is not seemingly our experience. We say, as we get older, that time goes faster. We also speak of a life cut short as a shock, a sadness, a surprise. Growing up in the 1950s seems a different era. We can have a long service in church. When the Queen celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, everything was about how long she had served. Now, after her passing this week, we remember her long life of service. Why then does Moses write in this way?

Moses surrounds these words with great truths, which brings these words into focus.

“Before the mountains were brought forth,
    or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
Psalm 90:2

These words confront us with the great difference between ourselves and God. The Sovereign, ruler of all things, above all created things, made all things. He has all power and all authority. Greater still, we are reminded this sovereign Lord is the only uncreated being. Before creation, He existed. There is no moment when He was not. The Triune God is the eternal, ever-present God. He needs no help, no support. The power to exist is in Him. At times, you can be overwhelmed the universe we live in, it’s vast size. How small we are. The universe is almost beyond our comprehension, yet it is nothing compared to God. It has a beginning and an end, but God is beyond the vastness of the universe, beyond time itself,

“For a thousand years in your sight
    are but as yesterday when it is past,
    or as a watch in the night.”
Psalm 90:4

God is beyond all the constraints of time that we know. Who can grasp it? It’s far beyond human comprehension. He is the self-existent one. In God is the source of all other being. Without God, nothing exists. Moses, perhaps like no other man that has walked this earth, apart from Christ, had such a great sense of God’s greatness and God’s majesty. He saw something of that glory on Mount Sinai, when God met with him, face to face.

Moses writes these words in the light of the great truths of the God we worship, in the one who is from everlasting to everlasting. Moses reminds us that our lives are so frail, so quickly passed, but a vapour, a dream by comparison.

Moses’ contemplations don’t end there. He continues, verses 7-11, with a more fearful comparison – man’s sin and God’s wrath. Moses, author of Genesis, was given that inspiration of God, to record creation and Man’s Fall in the Garden of Eden. When Moses writes these words, he writes them with the full knowledge of Man’s fallenness and the curse of God upon sin (Genesis 3). Moses sees here all the consequences of Adam’s fall in the Garden of Eden. Paul writes, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). This is the tragedy of mankind; lives are lived fully exposed, in all this rebellion, under the wrath of a holy God.

Had sin not entered the world, Adam and Eve would have lived curse free, joy-filled lives. But because of sin our lives now, as the psalmist tells us here, have been deeply affected.

“For all our days passed away in Your wrath;
We finish our years like a sigh.
The days of lur lives are seventy years;
and if by reason of strength they are eighty years,
Yet their boast is only labour and sorrow;
For it is cut off, and we fly away.”
Psalm 90:9-10

The New Testament reminds us it is appointed unto men to die once, and after that, God’s judgement. Our years are filled with sorrow and trial. Moses comes to this solemn question,

“Who considers the power of your anger,
    and your wrath according to the fear of you?”
Psalm 90:11

By nature, we don’t live in the light of the God’s anger, in the light of the fact that God is angry with sin and will punish it. The brevity of our lives becomes all the more serious when we realise that though our bodies are made of dust and will return to dust, God has breathed into us a living soul. Our soul had a beginning but it will never have an end. We have to give an account to the God of whom we have sinned against. In the light of these truths, we come finally to the enigma.The enigma, the puzzle of this psalm is found in verse 1,

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place
    in all generations.”

How can this be? Moses is not just saying about God as our creator; he is declaring more than that. God has been our refuge in all generations. How can this God, who is angry with our sin, be our refuge?

In verses 12-17 Moses offers various petitions to God.

“So teach us to number our days
    that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
Psalm 90:12

A heart of wisdom comes by hearing God’s words and the answer to our deepest needs and problems. True wisdom teaches us to see ourselves and the brevity of our lives as God sees it. Who knows what a day will bring forth? The Queen welcomed a new Prime Minister on Tuesday, yet she was gone on Thursday. It was unexpected. We all need to number our days. The only way we can do that is to live this day as the last, as the day we are going to meet God.

The wisdom of God teaches us to look away from ourselves,

“Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
    that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”
Psalm 90:14

It is the love of God we need to look to. We find the fullness of this, His unfailing love, has been displayed in the steadfast love He had in sending His Son into the world. Who can grasp what this means? Jesus Christ came to dwell amongst men and take on a human body. Our God came down into this world and walked amongst men. How can the eternal God come down? Yet, He did. Paul tells us,

“Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
He was manifested in the flesh,
    vindicatedby the Spirit,
        seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
    believed on in the world,
        taken up in glory.”
1 Timothy 3:16

When we speak of Christmas, we speak of this great mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh. The Lord of glory took the frailty of our human flesh and He lived amongst us, yet free from sin. He was the only One who didn’t deserve God’s judgement, to deserve the results of the curse and the fall. He was the One who came and stood in our place, the One who became a curse for us, to bear our sin, to suffer God’s wrath in our place.

Here alone is the answer to this puzzle. Where is that refuge in God? Where is that dwelling place for every believer? It is in Jesus Christ. It is in faith in Him. In Him we find this refuge from the storm. We discover Him to be the rock of ages. In Him we have a welcome from God, our Father and the promise of eternal security. This eternal security will last as long as God lasts. God is eternal, so our security is eternal.  

In all generations He has been our dwelling place – past, present and future. Here is the promise of eternal life. In Christ we are anchored in God, safe from all the turmoil of life, until that everlasting home is gained in heaven.

The Old Testament patriarchs believed it (Hebrews 11). Paul proclaimed it,

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer selfis wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

But it was the Lord Jesus Christ who obtained it, “I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1)


So, the question is, ‘Do you have a heart of wisdom?’ Have you seen your life in the light of God’s eternity and God’s holiness? Have you looked away from yourself to that eternal refuge, which is only found in the Lord Jesus Christ? What fills your desires and your prayers?

The psalm ends with a series of prayers.

Return, O Lord! How long?
    Have pity on your servants!

Psalm 90:13

Do you long daily for a deeper experience of that love? “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” (Psalm 90:14). Are your prayers filled with great ambition? As Christians, we should be ambitious, “Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children.” (Psalm 90:14). It is your ambition that this generation and the next generation, and the generation after, will know God’s word, will see God’s power poured out? “Let the favour of the beauty of our God be upon us.” Do you daily wake and long to be more like your Saviour? Do you long that the beauty of your Saviour might be more and more reflected in your life?

Finally, not that you will be praised by generations, but do you long that your life will be such a life that the church of God will be benefited, that your life will have established something for the people of God? “Establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90:17b).

We’ve gone through a week of great change, but we are reminded our God is unchanging. Because of that, we are reminded that the gospel is unchanging. The gospel today is the same as it was in Paul’s days, and the same as it will be until that great day when Christ returns. The offer today, our Saviour says, is “Come unto me, all who labour and are heavy-laden. And I will give you rest.