Category: Services

August 3rd 2024: 202nd Anniversary Service – Adrian Brake

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2 Corinthians 5:17-6:2

Reconciliation

The fact that Penuel, Roch is still alive and kicking in these dark days is because God still has work for you to do. What is that work, that contribution? God has a message He wants people of this area to hear. He has appointed you to deliver the message on His behalf. It is a message they must hear. The churches responsibility is to proclaim it. It is a message of reconciliation for a broken world, reconciliation through Jesus Christ.

What is the message of reconciliation God has to deliver, and how will it be delivered?
What does it mean to be reconciled? The bringing together of two parties that have previously estranged, where there is ill feeling between them, a huge gulf, where’s those two warring parties have been restored to a peaceful relationship.

In 2 Corinthians chapter 5 we see the most wonderful reconciliation between a holy, righteous God and wretched, guilty sinners. It is tragic when we read of the beginning of scriptures when God created us to have this life-giving, soul-refreshing relationship with Him. Yet, we are at war with Him, poles apart. Why? Adam, our representative, rose up against the God who created him. He wanted to live life according to his own terms. Adam had once enjoyed perfect fellowship with God, walking with Him in the cool of the evening and talking with Him. What a picture of God, Adam and Eve, walking and talking in the garden.

In next to no time they are completely shut out of the garden because of sin, because of rejection. That beautiful relationship is spoiled. That is our relationship too; we are determined to walk away from God, rising up against Him (Romans 8), going our own way. We, who were created for a relationship with God, are the children of God’s wrath. What an awful situation. We are all born into sin. Yet, against this dark background, we read in 2 Corinthians of those far from God, restored to Him and living in fellowship with Him.

  1. Reconciliation: something God has done for us.

Reconciliation on a human level is when 2 individuals fall out, two nations fallout. Someone outside the conflict seeks to bring them back together, or the person who has caused the estrangement sees what happened and recognises what they have done, then approaches the person, asking for forgiveness.

Here, in 2 Corinthians chapter 5, this is not what has happened. The one who has been sinned against, the one who is utterly blameless, He is the one who has made a glorious decision to settle the dispute. He has come down and reached out to His enemies who deserve nothing. He has come down to bring peace. This is an act of God. Astonishingly, in verse 20 He comes to people and pleads with people. Amazing Grace. He is utterly blameless when the other party doesn’t care, then goes further and pleads with them. He implores us to escape His wrath and enjoy His love. Incredible! He makes the way of reconciliation.

To think we were living in sin, sinning ourselves to hell at the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, God comes to you and to me in grace. He brings the gospel to you and reveals that before the creation of the world, God purpose to bring you to Himself. Then, astonishingly, He takes it to another level – humbling Himself and pleads for you to come to Him.

  • Reconciliation: something God has done for us in one person (v.18-19).

This is why we must preach the Lord Jesus Christ – because He is the only one who can make this reconciliation possible. Without Him, there could be no reconciliation. He is God’s gift to us so that reconciliation might take place. The son of God comes in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ to the believer. He is precious. Everything.

  • Reconciliation: a work God has done for us.

This is a work God has done for us both in His Son’s death and life. Jesus Christ had to live and die for us to be reconciled to God (v.21). There is something we have that we must get rid of, and something we don’t have that we must be given. Before we can be reconciled to God we need righteousness. God cannot fellowship with sin. He hates sin and delights in righteousness. Righteousness is when we adhere to God’s law in all its fullness. We need to be perfect, flawless law keepers. This is what God requires in a person who wants fellowship with Him. Perfection! How can we ever come to Him? We are lawbreakers.

How can we ever have a perfect record? That is where the Lord Jesus Christ comes in. He comes into the world as a real human being. He lives a perfect, utterly obedient life – the only human being to have this perfect righteousness. He lived this life for His people. Every time He obeyed God, He did it on your behalf. He loved the Father with all His heart, soul, mind and strength and did it on your behalf.

When we put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, all His perfection becomes ours. When God looks at you, He sees His Son and He sees perfection, and He is able to have fellowship with us, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21). If you are in Christ, you have nothing to answer to before the throne of God. Everything He did is yours. We need righteousness. We have it in Jesus Christ.

We have sin. We need to get rid of it. How? We can’t just undo them. It is sin that spoiled everything. Until it is settled you can never move on. Sin separates us from God, “In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19). God does not count the sins of His people against them. God does not hold them against us.

How can God let us escape, cancel the record against me? He does. It is the gospel. How? “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21). He sets us free and cleanses us of our sin because He has dealt with it through His Son. There, at the cross, Jesus Christ took responsibility for your sin. That life of stubbornness, rejection of God was placed on Jesus Christ and He was accountable for it instead of you. He died that death for you. God punished His own Son. How deep the Father’s love for us.

Will we ever understand how much the Father loved His Son? Yet, He did not spare His Son. Jesus Christ went to the cross willingly. He knew what was ahead, the horrors, the bitterness of the cup, yet He went willingly. We live. Far from God, in rebellion, God appoints His Son to spare us what we thoroughly deserve. He comes into this world, humbles Himself, lives a life of sorrow to establish a righteousness for us. He does all this so we can come to God, that we might live with Him forever in heaven. When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through His Son, through the blood of His cross.

What is wrong with our world? People are estranged from God. True joy, life, energy, and purpose can only be found in a relationship with God. We have a message to declare to the world – God is a God of incredible love who, in love, sent His Son into the world and has made a way for us to be reconciled to God. We are the only ones, Christians, who have the answer to the world’s pain and misery. It is our privilege to bring the message.

July 28th 2024: JP Earnest

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1 Timothy 1

1 and 2 Timothy and Titus are often referred to as pastoral epistles. Paul gives practical, warm pastoral advice to churches in his care. Paul had visited Ephesus during his second missionary journey and spent considerable time there during his third missionary journey. In Acts 20 we read, “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” (Acts 20:28-30).

Paul is an apostle so he is writing very publicly as well, through the Holy Spirit – not just to the church in Ephesus, but churches everywhere. Chapter one shows us what a spiritual healthy church looks like. It is:
1.  A gospel church,
2. A prayerful church,
3. A governed church.

A gospel church should:

  1. Preach the gospel,
  2. Personify the gospel,
  3. preserve the gospel.
  1. A gospel church should preach the gospel (verse 1-11).

False teachers were going to sneak in and act like savage wolves. They were enticing people away with unbiblical teaching. Paul says, “As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.” (v3-4).

Deviating from gospel truth will hinder them with their walk with the Lord. It would not bring unity but division and leave the gospel in the shadows. Paul encourages Timothy and emboldens him to preach the gospel, to warn the false teachers, to avoid controversial speculations and ignore unhelpful things. The reason Paul says this to Timothy is because of love, “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (v5). The love Paul is commending here is love for the Lord, love for one another, love for the lost. Those who embrace the Lord will love the gospel. Gospel love comes from a cleansed love.

By contrast, we read in verse 6, “Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion.” People from church should not be characterised by this. Timothy is to restore these backsliders.

The gospel is the good news about Jesus Christ. The bad news is God is 100% perfect but you and I have not lived up to His standards. God, in His perfect heaven, cannot allow anyone not perfect in His heaven. We have broken His law and deserve His punishment. We have sinned. The wages of sin is death. It is what we deserve. However, the good news is Jesus. He left heaven, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross to take the punishment we deserve. If we trust in Him, we will be saved from sin, saved from death, saved from hell. Have you done that? Do you know Jesus Christ as your Saviour?

The wannabe teachers (v2) want to be prominent amongst the people. But Paul says, “Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully.” (v.8). These would be teachers had failed to appreciate God’s law. They had practises that were contrary to the gospel. The fake teachers wanted to take people to the Old Testament to fulfil rituals of the Old Testament. They wanted to be teachers of the law but they didn’t understand it. God’s law has the purpose of revealing sin in the hearer, so we won’t trust in our own efforts to remove sin but look to Jesus Christ. Paul reminds Timothy, the Ephesian church and us, to keep the main thing the main thing – the gospel.

2. A gospel church should personify the gospel (verses 12-17).

The greatest demonstration of the gospel is the transformed person of the believer (v.12-13). Paul was bad news to the church but through Jesus he was changed, a new creation. This changed life is through the gospel. It is not initiated through us (v.14). God had done it, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (v.15). Paul considered himself to be the worst of the worst. Yet even he received mercy (v.16). Is that your testimony today?

Paul goes on to say that he is an example; if God in His grace and mercy can save the likes of you and me and Saul of Tarsus, he can save anyone on condition they believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. When they faithfully demonstrate a changed life, it will commend the gospel. The gospel is to be lived out by us, personified by us. This is the glorious gospel from God. Paul ascribes all glory and honour to God.

3. A gospel church should preserve the gospel (18-end of chapter).

For Timothy and us, we need to wage war against false teachers who will do much harm to the church (v.18). They must fight the good fight. There is no place for complacency. It is only from God that strength comes, and from Him alone. Some were turning to their own reasoning and made a shipwreck of their Christian life (v.19).

There needs to be an active response, not a passive response to false teaching. Paul gives 2 examples – he kicked two men out of the church who had departed from the gospel. Out of love, difficult things had to be done. Why did Paul take such drastic action? To preserve the gospel, to protect the flock, so that the two men might repent.

Some Christians start off well; they live the gospel but then deviate. They may go off to another church and are nowhere spiritually now. We are living in days when there is so much pressure on us to deviate from the gospel. There is pressure to water down the gospel. We are not to do that. We must remain faithful and preserve the gospel.

A healthy church is a gospel church. We all have a part to play. May the Lord help you and me, and corporately as a church, for the glory of God – to preach the gospel, to personify the gospel and to preserve the gospel.

July 21st 2024: Gary Brady

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“Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” (Zechariah 3:2b)

A brand from the burning.

A similar phrase is found in the book of Amos chapter 4 verse 11. It paints the same picture. It is a striking image of fire, like a campfire. A stick has gone in and started to burn. It shouldn’t be there, so you find a way of rescuing it. You say, ‘Is this not a burning stick plucked out of the fire?’

Zachariah comes towards the end of the Old Testament. He is one of the later Old Testament prophets. The first part of his book is a series of visions he had all in one night. Here, Joshua the high priest stood before the angel of the Lord, Satan at his right hand to accuse him. The Lord rebukes Satan, “Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” (Zechariah 3:2b). At the start of the vision Joshua is dressed in filthy, dirty rags. The angel orders that these should be removed and be replaced with clean clothes. Joshua is then given a charge; God tells him, “If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts and I will give you a place among those standing here.” Joshua and those with him are told that they are men symbolic of things to come. There is the prophecy that God is going to ‘bring my servant, the branch.’ The Messiah is pictured as a branch.

“Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” (Zechariah 3:2b). This verse could be taken as a cry of victory. The phrase carries a tone of affirmation. The man was in the fire but snatched out of it.

Think who this language may be applied to. In context, Joshua the high priest is a representation of his people after they have come back from exile in Babylon. It points forward to when the Messiah will come and remove sin in a single day – at Calvary, when sin is removed from His people. If we know the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, we are ‘sitting pretty’ and inviting others to know the joy of sins forgiven. It applies to all true believers. We are like a stick snatched out of a fire. This probably applies more to some than others. Some go a long way in their sins, they look as if they’re going to hell but then they are certainly snatched to safety and all is well, “And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” (Jude 22-23).

Even those who come to Christ have no smell of burning on them but are sticks snatched from the fire. Some people who have been converted are notorious for their sins, but God converts them. Jesus was crucified with two criminals either side of Him, one who was converted at the end of his life. The apostle Paul hated Christians and did everything possible to hinder the gospel. Yet he was suddenly converted. This fire brand is snatched from the flames, then he was preaching the faith he had tried to destroy. C.S. Lewis was a complete atheist who had no time for God. Yet, quite unexpectedly, he was converted. God worked in his heart. Another example of a burning stick snatched from the fire is Mitsuo Fuchida. He was one of the top pilots in Japan, a Great War hero.

Sometimes, God works in the worst people. Manasseh was the worst king of Judah. But if you read 2 Chronicles chapter 33 you will see that in his distress, he humbled himself and prayed to God. After 54 years of evil reign, Manasseh knew the Lord God and told Judah to serve the Lord.

Luke Short was 100 years old when he was converted. He sat in a field contemplating the end of his life, and remembered a sermon he had heard 85 years before, when he was 15 years old. He was converted and became an elder of a local church until his death, when he was 117! Death bed conversions also occur. Other unexpected conversions include Onesimus and John Newton.

Some have known an overwhelming sense of guilt – in the fire but snatched out. This includes the jailer in Philippi. Martin Luther, John Bunyan and Spurgeon were all in great distress before being converted.

Note how appropriate the phrase is, “Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” (Zechariah 3:2b).

  1. Judas and Peter were both equally sinful (Ephesians 2:3) and deserving of wrath. God’s salvation is the only thing that makes a difference.
  2. A burning stick snatched from the fire was once very near to be burning up.
  3. A burning stick from the fire retains some evidence of its dangerous situation. There is evidence that it was once in the fire. When we sin we think how can we be like that when we are saved.
  4. A burning stick from the fire does not save itself. It doesn’t jump out of the fire itself. We do not save ourselves. We will only be saved if God snatches us from the flames.

July 14th 2024: Ben Christofides

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Matthew 22

We are in wedding season. A wedding is a wonderful event with a huge amount of planning. It is an honour to be invited. The parable we read of in Matthew chapter 22 is a scene of a wedding banquet. Wedding banquets in Jesus’ day were even more spectacular than Meg and Jonathan’s wedding! There is a similar account of this parable in Luke chapter 14.

In this parable Jesus is speaking the week in between His triumphant entry into Jerusalem and His crucifixion. Jesus is showing religious people how very privileged they are and what they must do with these privileges is crucial. Jesus is showing then and now that your religion will count for nothing, your response to Him is everything.

In Matthew chapter 22 the end verses are unique to this occasion. On first reading, you may be wondering why this ending is included. I am convinced that verses 11 to 13 are the key part to this parable in this context. Jesus wanted us to know the destiny of our eternal soul depends on the way we are dressed – not physically but spiritual clothing.

1.Rejecting the gospel is incredibly serious.

 Many people will reject invitation of the gospel. In Jesus’ time, invitations were sent out long before a wedding. Nearer the date, a second invitation was sent out. April the 29th 2011 William and Kate got married. What an honour it would have been to have been invited. What could be more important than attending a royal wedding? Here, the king is putting on the party of all parties. The first invitation has gone out. Now has come the time to call them in (v.3). For hundreds of years the first invitation has been going out throughout the Old Testament, God telling His people. People wanted to be part of the Kingdom. Now comes the second invitation – but responses to the invite are met with indifference. They refused to come to a royal wedding feast!

Notice the patience of the king; He sends out more servants (v.4). He goes further and explains how incredible the banquet will be. It is all ready. Please come. We see a mixture of responses: some have no time for a feast (v5), others show indifference which turns to hatred (v6). God is so patient.

How many times have you heard the gospel? How many times has the invitation gone out and you still haven’t accepted, making excuses? It is possible you have become antagonistic and say, ‘How dare anyone tell me I’m a sinner!’ God wants you to be at the wedding feast. He wants to forgive your sin, to bring you into a living relationship with him through the Lord Jesus Christ, to have eternity in heaven.

Eventually, the King’s patience runs out (v7-8). Time is up. The King’s invitation won’t be sent out again. The implication for us is clear – do not play fast and loose with the gospel. Don’t assume you will have another opportunity to respond. Each time you respond to the invitation with excuses, one day you will reject the invitation for the last time, “Or he says,

“In a favourable time I listened to you,
    and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the favourable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”  (2 Corinthians 6:2). Now is the day of salvation.

2. The gospel invitation is wide and the banquet will be filled.

The king in this parable is relentless to bring in guests to his wedding feast. So is God in His pursuit of lost souls (v9). For the Jewish audience listening to Jesus at this time, it is clear others will be brought in if you don’t accept the invitation. The invitation will go out to the Gentiles.

The invitation has come to the Gentiles, it has come to Wales, “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:18-19).

What is that great news for us today? The message of the gospel is for you and for me (Acts 10:34). God is not interested in your background, your family heritage, age or social standing. The gospel is open to all. God is interested in only one thing – your response to His Son.

We need to be encouraged in our evangelism (v10). Are we discouraged by the apathy that exists in our society to the gospel? Can we really expect people to respond positively to the Lord Jesus Christ? The first 6 verses remind us not to be surprised when people reject the gospel. But verses 10-11 give us encouragement. Get rid of preconceived ideas who is likely to respond.

The wedding feast will not begin until it is full. Jesus Christ won’t return until the last sinner has been saved. We need to invite people while we still can. The King has prepared the feast. All is ready. What are we doing? The sinner must be ready and willing. Heaven will be full to the brim – an everlasting wedding banquet, all praising and worshipping the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The gospel is no less powerful than it has ever been. God is on the throne. We need to tell and invite people.

3. Entry is for those wearing the clothes that He provided.

This is a wonderful encouragement but a sober warning as well. Who will be at the banquet? We might think we know, but there will be some surprises (v11-13). In this parable there is a man without wedding clothes who is thrown out. What is going on? In the culture Jesus was speaking to the king wouldn’t just invite guests, he would also have provided garments for the wedding guests. The king would provide everything. Here, the king notices a man who’s come in his own garments – he doesn’t want the King’s garments. What arrogance. He is thrown out into the darkness.

There is an awesome invite coming, a wide invitation. But if you think you were going in your own clothes, think again. We are filthy. God’s standard for perfection is perfection. Not a single sin. We don’t even come close. The whole Bible is all about Jesus. Throughout the Old Testament God told his people he would make a way for sin to be dealt with.

As we hear about the wonderful place of heaven, we think we would like to be there. But the message of the gospel is Jesus Christ met the standard we failed to meet. There is not a single stain on him. He is innocent of any charge. Then He was put to death on a cross. He bears the punishment of all our sin. He puts on all the filthy garments and dies the death we deserve. He rose again, defeating death. Why? So that by trusting in Him you might be clothed in His righteousness so you can have a garment for the wedding banquet.

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
    my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
    he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

 (Isaiah 61:10).

Are you clothed in the righteousness of Jesus or are you hoping to get into heaven in your own clothes – through church attendance, chapel clothes? It is possible to deceive others here on earth – attending church, being a deacon or an elder, giving the impression of being a Christian but not trusting in the Saviour. Look at someone’s testimony, backed up by the life they live. The end of the parable reminds us there will be no deception on that final day.

Friends, listen. My intention is for all of us to come and marvel afresh at our own unworthiness. God has provided all that you need. Whether you have never trusted in Christ before, known Him for many years, or deceiving people, the answer is the same, “or in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:26-27).

Are you clothed in Jesus Christ this morning? A wonderful feast lies ahead. Don’t reject the invitation. Come to Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins. If you have already received that, share, rejoice in the beauty of it.

July 7th 2024: Andy Christofides

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Romans 1:1-17: Personal Evangelism

Personal evangelism – making Christ known, the good news, the gospel. Paul uses the word ‘gospel’ 4 times in this passage. It is burning on his heart. The physical light he experienced gave spiritual light. ‘Euangelion’ is the Greek word which means ‘good message.’ Is there a better message than this! There is only one thing the world needs to hear – the gospel. Every word is inspired, but the gospel is the distilled essence; it’s not church government, loads of worship, what you wear – it is all about Jesus Christ and how you can be saved. Tell me, what do you believe?

Paul can write to the church at Corinth, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3). What is of the first importance to the church, to us as Christians?

Isaiah chapter 53 is the glorious technical height of the Old Testament. There are many things we think and believe, but what does an unbeliever need to know? Christ died for our sins, was buried and raised on the third day according to the scriptures. Jesus died for me. We need to confess and profess.

Who is Christ? Why is his death important to me? Maybe you have an unbelieving friend or relative on their deathbed. What are you going to say? John 3:16, John 14:6? Open up the Bible and explain.

Evangelism is making the good message known, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16). ‘Dunamis’ is the Greek word for power. Nobel calls it dynamite. It is spiritual dynamite. Dynamite by itself is quite harmless. It needs something to set it off. The gospel is just words – apart from God. The gospel is detonated by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the dynamite of God. It is not my dynamite. Tell it as it is.

Whose task is it to evangelise Pembrokeshire? People tend to think it is the church’s job. It is not; It is your job and my job. It is the task of each and every one of us. People say there are not many conversions and that it is the pastor’s fault. It is not. It is your fault, it is my fault. We have the dynamite. What are we doing with it? Are we laying the dynamite? It is no good praying for people if you are not speaking to people. Your job is to be a dynamite layer. You need to say something! We need to be faithful, but the consequences are left to God. We need to be obedient, to trust and obey, to lay the dynamite.

You may get to the position where you employ a church evangelist or a church worker, then sit back and say, ‘We don’t need to do that because we are employing a worker.’ Nonsense! It’s your job. It’s my job. If people aren’t being saved, why? You may take yourself off to another church. Why would you do that? Stay and declare and show gospel and the love of the Lord Jesus Christ.

People may say, ‘My children are not being saved in this church.’ It is not the youth leader’s job to save your children, it’s not the Sunday School teacher’s task. It’s your task to evangelise your children, first and foremost. I hope you can then trust them to Sunday School teachers, but that should supplement what is happening in the home.

When Paul write to the church in Ephesus he speaks about the gifts that Christ has poured out, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers.” (Ephesians 4:11), to equip the Saints for works of ministry. A pastor’s task is to feed the sheep so that they may be equipped to pastor and minister to others.

 The evangelist’s task is to equip the saints to be evangelists. Roger Carswell asks, ‘What must I do to be asked the question, ‘What must I do to be saved?’ We are all involved in this mighty work of making the gospel known. We have a task. It is limited in its time; it is only when we are here on earth.

What is the primary function of a local church? Some say we are here to worship God. Worship will not stop when you die, it will be perfected. There is no evangelism in heaven or in hell. Evangelism is our here and now go to point. We are called to make disciples of all nations. Evangelism is the keystone of the church. It only happens here on earth, not when we are dead.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). The people were called to be witness in Jerusalem – where they were. Begin where you are – but don’t finish there. God’s plan was always for the nations (Acts 8). Because of what happens in Acts 7, the gospel eventually reaches Roch, “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” (Acts 8:4).

Wherever the scattered believers went, they preached the Word. They were ordinary believers, like you and me, sharing and announcing the good news.

Personal evangelism is your task and mine. How do we go about it? It drives us to our knees. We are here to worship but our primary function is to be a witness to Him. Our task is to share this message with others. We are to live the life that backs up the gospel. Don’t be grumpy Christians. Why are we where we are? To be a witness, to live for him. Why am I here?

Jesus, the Name high over all,
in hell or earth or sky;
angels and mortals prostrate fall,
and devils fear and fly.
Jesus, the Name to sinners dear,
the Name to sinners giv’n;
it scatters all their guilty fear,
it turns their hell to heav’n.

Charles Wesley

You may say you can’t be a Wesley or a Billy Graham, but you and I can be an Albert MacMaken. On 1st November 1934, Albert MacMaken invited his 16-year-old friend to an evangelistic tent crusade led by Mordecai Ham. After a few nights on that evangelistic campaign, Billy Graham was converted – because he had been invited by Albert MacMaken, under the preaching of Mordecai Ham. I may not be a Billy Graham but I can be an Albert MacMaken.

Let me take you back a little but further. Edward Kimbell was a Sunday School teacher. In his Sunday School class was a young lad who showed no interest in the gospel, but Edward Kimbell prayed for this young man. He left the Sunday Scholl class unconverted and got a job in a shoe shop. Edward Kimbell still prayed for him and bought his shoes in that shoe shop and continued to witness and speak to DL Moody. DL Moody was converted.

Under DL Moody’s preaching in one crusade, there was a man you probably haven’t heard of – but he was a famous evangelist called Wilber Chapman. Wilber Chapman was converted under the preaching of DL Moody.

In a campaign led by Wilber Chapman, Mordecai Ham was converted. In a crusade led by Mordecai Ham, Billy Graham was converted.

As I preach in many churches, I ask was anybody here converted under Billy Graham. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was someone here this morning, or if someone here this morning knows of someone converted under Billy Graham. The story of Billy Graham goes all the way back to a faithful Sunday School teacher, Edward Kimbell, who continued to pray for DL Moody, even though he showed no real interest.

We can’t all be a Billy Graham, DL Moody or John Wesley, but we can be an Albert MacMaken.

Personal evangelism is something we’re all called to.

June 29th 2024: Dafydd Williams

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Mark 1:35 – 2:12 Jesus Forgives

Imagine being sent to prison; all you can see is bars and walls. One day, you are handed a document which says you are free to go. You see the signature; it belongs to a man who has come to visit you, but you don’t know him and wonder who he is. That is the sort of thing we see happening here in Mark 2 – free to go, your sins are forgiven.

In chapter one we see something of the identity of the Lord Jesus – who He is and how He came as saviour into the world. Jesus Christ is the one we need to get to know. Today, we’re going to see Jesus forgives.

Jesus speaks of forgiveness in a historical place called Capernaum. Everyone was squeezed into one home, ready to hear what Jesus had to say. Before this event, we see Jesus has healed many, doing incredible things. People want to see what Jesus will do next. But Jesus has other ideas. “And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” (Mark 1:38). Jesus is carrying out His Great Commission. He came to preach the word. We are here today to open the word – it is a priority for us, it was a priority for Jesus.  We should listen to what God has to say. We must listen and respond.

As Jesus preaches to the crowd, there is a great unchanging truth: everyone’s greatest need is the forgiveness of sins. Mark describes a group of friends who bring a paralysed man to Jesus Christ. They can’t get through the crowds but make a hole through the roof (v.4). To get to Jesus, they must lower the mat the man lies on. The friends have a great desire to see Jesus. Nothing will stop them. Imagine four determined men making an opening in the roof.

The obvious thing Jesus would do would be to heal him. But what comes next is a shock, “And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5). The first thing Jesus does is say, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ That is the priority of Jesus Christ – forgiveness is the greatest need any human has. It is greater than the very pressing need of the man being paralysed. Do you agree this man’s greatest need was forgiveness? Maybe you are thinking of other priorities? Bills which need to be paid or maybe hospital needs. These are very important but just as Jesus sees this man, He also sees you. Your greatest need is the forgiveness of sins.

There is no lack of compassion of Jesus. He sees beyond that to a deeper problem – the need for forgiveness. His compassion goes beyond physical needs. Our greatest need is our sin to be forgiven. Forgiveness fixes our greatest problem – sin, rebellion against God – which cuts us off from a holy God. Without forgiveness we remain under the judgement of God. Never ending condemnation. It is serious. This is why Jesus says, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Jesus knows this is what the man needs more than anything else.

You may give the appearance of being a Christian but deep down you know your sins aren’t forgiven. We can know forgiveness when we have faith (v5). Faith for these four friends wasn’t some knowledge they had about Jesus, but active belief that Jesus could do something for their heartfelt needs. Faith is actively trusting. That is what these friends do. They wanted Jesus to heal their friend. They believed He was their only hope. Their motive was the physical healing of their friend.

It is important to remember at the start of Jesus ministry, they didn’t see the cross. But we have the whole story. We can see specifically faith is in Jesus Christ, faith in Jesus dying for us. True faith is in the wonderful person of Jesus Christ. These men believed in Him. In seeing their faith, Jesus forgives sins.

Do you have your faith in Jesus Christ? It is a question we all need to answer. If you have never come to Jesus Christ before, you can come to Him humbly and ask Him to forgive you. Your greatest need will be dealt with. Are your sins forgiven? Your answer is an eternal one.

The second truth we see here is that Jesus has the authority to forgive (verses 6-12). It is one thing to realise we need to be forgiven, but we cannot solve the problem by ourselves. Jesus has the authority and power to forgive sins.

The Scribes were not happy with what Jesus said, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:7). They misunderstood who Jesus was, so He revealed His identity as one who has authority to forgive sins.

“Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?” (Mark 2:9). This is not a trick question. On one level it is easy to say one thing but not to do it. Neither of these is easier to do and impossible for man to do. Jesus gives an answer to His own question, “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – he said to the paralytic.” (Mark 2:10).

Here is the turning point. Jesus says He has all authority to forgive sins. To prove it, He says, “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” (Mark 2:11). Jesus heals the man with His words. There were a lot of eyewitnesses who saw this amazing miracle. A man was physically healed. Such power was on display. Jesus shows His authority to reveal His identity. It is God Himself who has the authority to forgive sins.

Jesus has authority on earth. We can know forgiveness here and now. It Is achieved on the cross. His death means we can live. The saving work of Jesus Christ was finished at the cross. There is nothing we can add to what He has done. Everything needed has been done by Jesus Christ. You can have a wonderful assurance your sins are dealt with if you trust in Jesus Christ.

Maybe you are struggling with a family situation, school, or are a Christian questioning whether you are really saved. No matter how you are feeling, if you are a Christian, you have an eternity in heaven through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Does this leave you in awe and wonder, like the crowd? “And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” (Mark 2:12). They were amazed. No one had ever seen anything like it before, or since. No one else has authority to forgive.

Jesus has victory over sickness and sin. He is God in flesh. This Jesus is who He claims to be – the man who is God. Our greatest need is the forgiveness of our sins. Come to Him in faith, humbly asking for forgiveness. You are all invited to respond to this Jesus. Do you know your sins are forgiven by Jesus? Jesus is the only one who can forgive you.

June 23rd 2024: Gaius Douglas

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Readings: Psalm 23 & John 10:1-17
Jesus, the true Shepherd, the Good Shepherd.

Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known, wonderful psalms in scripture. This psalm is known in many languages and by many people. It is repeated by many. It is read at funerals of the saved and unsaved. It is repeated in difficult situations. Every man will have to give an account to God. When you repeat this Psalm you are repeating words of scripture and you are accountable for every word that you have spoken.

David wrote this song when he was a shepherd and had sheep as a little boy. He loved them and cared for them. Samuel was sent to the House of Jesse to choose a king from that family. Jesse brought his strongest, fittest son but Samuel asked for another. David, the youngest, was on the hillside. Samuel asked for him. God says, ‘This is the one.’ When you compare David to David’s older brother in the King’s army, surely the oldest son would have been the one. But no – David, the one who cared for sheep, is chosen. This little boy stood before the strongest and mightiest God. By His Spirit, He allowed David to pen these words, ‘The Lord is my shepherd.’

Do you know this as a reality in your life? David knows his sheep, but he is taken to the Shepherd of the sheep. Sheep are very dependent on their shepherd. We live in Pembrokeshire, in Wales. There are more sheep than people. A shepherd is there to protect, to watch over and make sure that the sheep do not get into trouble. They depend on the shepherd to care for them. Now, David says, ‘My God is my Shepherd. He looks after me. He cares for me.’

In John chapter 10 Jesus says He is the Good Shepherd. What does it mean to be a Good Shepherd? ‘Good’ in Greek describes a noble, wholesome, beautiful person. The Good Shepherd is good inwardly and outwardly. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd. He is the only One who is good through and through, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Jesus contrasts Himself with those who had to care for His sheep. The Pharisees had responsibility to keep the law and look after the sheep of His pasture – yet they were not doing this. The Pharisees were meant to protect but allowed the wolf to come in and take the sheep. Do you realise how privileged you are? If it wasn’t for the Lord, where would you be? If He wasn’t the Door, where would you and I be? He is the Door. Regardless of who comes, He will protect us, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9).

Do you come to the Lord? He wants to hold you in His arms. So often we are reluctant to come to Him, but He wants you to come close to Him. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10). The thief does not come except to kill and destroy – referring to the Jewish leaders of the day. Instead of loving the people, they gave others the responsibility to look after them, but they stole from them (Malachi – the priests had responsibility for looking after God’s people).

Each of us has a responsibility for the person next to us, to care each other and to look after each other and feed each other. In Malachi, the people were told to bring unblemished sacrifices, but they brought blemished sacrifices. The priests accepted the corrupt offerings, but God rejected them. We have a responsibility to bring God sacrifices of praises that are pleasing to His sight. What have you brought to Him this morning?

We need to give Him the first place – that is the place that is His. We are set apart for His glory and praise. We are holy. God sees us as holy in Christ. What are you bringing to Him everyday? You and I have a responsibility that we do not lead others astray. Are you living in Him, walking in Him? Can others see this?

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He is saying to the religious leaders He is not like them. He is the Door. He will keep, He will guard, He will protect, He will uphold His sheep.

The hired hands ran away when the wolf came. As believers in Christ, we are held by His power. His everlasting arms hold us (Deuteronomy).

In John 10:17-18 we see Christ going to Calvary’s cross. Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. We see the depth of His love, the meek and lowly one who lays His life down for His sheep – defending us from the wolf, “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

He has the power to overcome. We have been singing, rejoicing, because of Him who has redeemed us by His precious blood. He is holding us and will never let us go. He is the Good Shepherd who loves us. He will not leave or forsake us. He loves us so much He is taking us to heaven.

“But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.

(Isaiah 43:1).

The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. We are His.

June 9th 2024: Peace Choi

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Matthew 28: 16-20. Keep Fulfilling

The Great Commission is one of the most well-known passages in all the Bible. All missional organisations have this passage somewhere. Today, I have two questions: why and how?

Why? Why did Jesus come?
There are three verses in Matthew’s gospel which give us clear answers:
“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Mattthew 1:21). This is what the Angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph before his wife, Mary, gave birth to a son.
“Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13).
“Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28).

Jesus came to save sinners from their sins, to make us righteous before God. He came to make us right with God. He came to reconcile us to God. The purpose of Jesus’ coming was for you and me. He came for your salvation and for my salvation. He came to save us – not because we deserve it but because God loves us so much. “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die.” (Romans 5:6-7). We were too powerless to save ourselves; we were ungodly.

We cannot stand before a holy God on our own. We were sinners, we don’t deserve to be saved or loved by God. But God lavished His love upon us through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He came to save everyone who would believe.

How? How to Jesus accomplish the Purpose of His coming?
“Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:38-40).

The Scribes and Pharisees wanted to see a sign that Jesus would perform. But Jesus had already performed a miracle, but they wanted a sign from Jesus Himself. He answered, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” We see clearly here Jesus is referring to His death; the Son of Man will spend 3 days and three nights in the heart of the earth. He delivered His own resurrection.

“And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered them,[a] “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed.” (Matthew 16:1-4).

In chapter 15 Jesus did another miracle, feeding thousands of people. But people again wanted a sign – a miracle from heaven. We see that first they wanted a sign from Jesus, then a sign from heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven is the Kingdom of God. The Jewish leaders wanted to see a sign from God Himself. We have a detailed explanation in chapter 12, but not in chapter 16. Why? It has already been explained in chapter 12. Jesus accomplished salvation for you and me through His death and resurrection. Nobody can miss the point Jesus is making. He will save people who believe in Him through His death and resurrection. Jesus did a lot of signs and miracles. The only sign which Jesus would show would be His death and resurrection – which will save people. This is God’s way of salvation for you and me.

In Matthew chapter 4 Jesus was tempted by the devil. In the first temptation Satan declared, ‘If you are the Son of God make these stones into bread.’ But Jesus did not do that. He said no to that temptation because feeding people is important, but bread alone cannot save people. That is why he said no. The second temptation was for Jesus to jump down from the highest point of the temple. He could do it, but he said no. The third temptation was to worship the devil and Jesus said, ‘No way!’ Why? Worshipping Satan was not God’s way to save people from sins. No! No! No! These were not God’s ways.

Jesus prayed at Gethsemane, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39b). Jesus accepted. Whilst He was on the Cross many people passed by. Some said, ‘Come down from the cross if you are the Son of God, then we will believe you.’ He did not come down. If He Came down, there would be no salvation. He stayed there because coming down from the Cross was not God’s way of saving you and me. We need to say Hallelujah! His death was not the end of the story. He was raised from the dead, conquering sin and death. The power of death could not hold Him (Matthew 12:16). Romans 4:25 confirms the same truth. We live our Christian life to please and glorify God, that is the purpose of our life.

Our passage of scripture today is Matthew 2816-20. What do you think this passage is all about? It is about taking the message of salvation to the world – to boys and girls, women and men, Korean, Welsh, everyone. What is this all about? It is the application of the salvation achieved only by Jesus’ death and resurrection. That truth should be applied to people individually. It is the work of God, of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus came to save sinners from sin. He achieved this through His death and resurrection. In the Great Commission Jesus sent out His disciples into the world. “As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” (John 17:18). This is part of Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer. Why did Jesus send His disciples into the world? For your salvation and my salvation, for His Disciples to deliver, to share and to proclaim the message of salvation to others who needs to be saved. If you don’t have that application yet, come to Jesus and ask for forgiveness of sins, for Him to be your Lord and saviour.

When Jesus called His disciples, He said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Jesus gave the Great Commission to His disciples. He speaks to us through His Word. He still speaks to us even today for the application of salvation. We are to proclaim the name of Jesus as the only true name of salvation. He is everything to those who believe in Him.

If we are in Christ, we are the most valuable people to God’s Kingdom. God chose you and called you to apply the salvation which Jesus achieved by His death and resurrection. He does not need us, but He wants to use us, to save people through you and me. If you keep quiet about Jesus Christ, then how can people in this area hear about Jesus? All Christians are most valuable to the Kingdom of God. Jesus wants to proclaim the same message of salvation in the 21st century through you and me. Isn’t it exciting! May all of us be used mightily to fulfil the purpose of Jesus’ coming – until we breathe our last or until He returns with power and glory.

June 2nd 2024: Children’s Anniversary Service Chris Jenkins

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“And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Mark 10:13-15

I’ve borrowed this photograph from the wall next door. It’s a black and white photo showing the Sunday School here at Penuel long, long ago. How we would love to see so many children gather here each week to hear the good news about Jesus and His love for each one of us.

Today, we are looking at a scene from the Bible, in Mark chapter 10. In this story it was one of those busy days when people crowded around the Lord Jesus, asking Him questions. Jesus had been answering some very important questions. Sometimes He answered them from the Old Testament part of the Bible. Sometimes He answered them with His own words, which are also the Word of God.

The grown-up talk was suddenly interrupted by children’s voices. The disciples looked and saw them coming, running, skipping and jumping. Some of the grown-ups were carrying babies.

“Surely they were not coming to Jesus?” they thought. “We have been talking about such important matters. They must not interrupt.” Perhaps they even spoke to one another about it, saying, “We mustn’t allow those children to bother Him. He has had such a busy day. He won’t want to see children.”

The disciples quickly decided to do something about it. One may have said, “Stop right here, you must not bother Jesus. Jesus is too busy.” Another may have said. “He hasn’t time to be bothered with children. Take your babies away. You must go now.”

Quickly the Lord Jesus stepped out from the crowd. He spoke sharply to the disciples. “Let the children come to Me.” Jesus demanded. “Do not turn them away. The Kingdom of Heaven is for those who come to Me, as they have come. Whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child receives it shall not enter in.”

The Lord Jesus loves children, they are very, very important to Him. He wants you to come to Him. Of course, you cannot run to Him as these children did. You come to Him asking Him to forgive your sin and take charge of your life. He wants you to come, for He loves children very much. Indeed, when He died on the cross, He was dying for boys and girls as well as for grown-ups.

The disciples stood back. They watched as the Lord Jesus reached out toward the little ones. He picked them up in His loving arms.  Others crowed around Him. Mothers may have held out their babies close to him to touch them. What a welcome! Those children could see that Jesus, the Son of God, loved them. The disciples didn’t think they mattered, but the Lord Jesus did.

The joy of knowing Christ as our Saviour

Most of you know my love of playing sport, especially when I was younger. Rugby was my main sport and I used to train nearly every day, focused on the game on Saturday, to score the perfect try. When this happened there was an instant joy, but it faded over time.

But when you accept the Lord as your saviour there will be a joy that never fades. It is an everlasting joy. That is why it is so important to meet – to be reminded of this at Sunday services, Bible study and prayer meetings, Good News Clubs and chapel Youth Clubs. We can encourage, support and pray for each other. You too, can know that you are special to Him if you come to Him and trust Him as your Saviour. He says, “Let the children come to Me.” Will you accept this invitation?

The need of a Saviour

God created a perfect world for us to live in. However, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they brought sin into the world. Does anyone know what sin is?

Yes, that’s right – everything we think, say or do that breaks God’s law.

Each of us has sinned. Each of us is in need of a Saviour. Many people think doing good deeds is enough to get us into heaven. But heaven is God’s home. It is a perfect place and we are imperfect. There is now way we can get to heaven by being good and helping others. Of course, those things are important, but we need to know Jesus and accept Him as our Saviour.

So, how do sinful people have a relationship with a perfect, pure God and get to live one day in heave, a perfect place with no sin? Well, God had a rescue plan!

God the Father sent His only Son Jesus into this world. The Lord Jesus lived a sinless perfect life. He came to share the good news of the Kingdom of God with people. He then suffered and died on the cross of Calvary for our sins, taking the punishment we deserve. On the third day He rose again, conquering death. Later, He went back to heaven, where He now lives. All this is true, historical fact which you can read about in the Bible. Every word of the Bible is true.

Jesus came to bring light into the world, to save us from the darkness of sin. In John chapter 3, verse 16 Jesus says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Do you believe that?

I’m so glad Jesus said “whoever believes in Him.” That means He is speaking to me, and to you too. He loves everyone and wants everyone to have a special relationship with Him, to trust Him and put Him first in our lives.

This means that anybody who believe and trusts in God and turns away from their sin and repents, will be accepted by Jesus. They will be saved. John chapter 3 verse 17 says, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

Lasting joy can be yours if you know the Lord as your Saviour. If you do not know Jesus as your Saviour, as the light who shines in the darkness and takes away sin, you can know Him right now. After the service, you are welcome to ask any of the people who love coming to Penuel each week, and they would love to tell you more about Jesus.

May 26th 2024: Tom Baker

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Exodus 19:1-23, Revelation 5:11-14: Jesus, sat upon His throne.

Jesus lived amongst us, died for us, rose on the third day, ascended to the right hand of the father, and now sits in glory. We behold our God, sat upon His throne. The first commandment is, ‘You shall have other gods before me.’ Moses is trying to show us how the whole universe fits together. God is. In Exodus chapter 20 we see how God, the world, Jesus Christ, and the universe all fit together. What is the universe made of? It is all physical stuff, matter, forces, organised into systems, galaxies and so on. Everything spins properly. Yes, that is true – but what about the stuff that is not seen but equally matters – of heart, soul, beauty, joy, justice, love. How do those things make sense?

What is the centre of the universe, both visible and invisible? You are a body and soul, visible and invisible. What is the centre of reality that makes sense of everything, a focal point we should centre around? Day by day we search for this meaning of life, but don’t seem to find it. We ask, ‘What is the meaning of all this?’ As we scramble around in the dark God, in His mercy, speaks and shows us that’s at the centre of reality is Jesus Christ, sat on the throne. Everything is under His rule. Everything makes sense when Jesus Christ is sat on the throne. That is what God told His people as they gathered at the bottom of Mount Sinai. It is the same today. Everything only makes sense when Jesus is centre and focus, when Jesus is looked to.

We see in Exodus the Lord sits enthroned in glory. The Israelites life makes sense when they look up to Him. Exodus speaks to the people, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” (Exodus 20:2) LORD in capital letters, is the original name of God, Yahweh, Jehovah. God is telling them His name, introducing Himself personally. ‘Your’ God. There is something very precious about that. The people of God can say ‘He’ is my God. He is the one who saves them out of Egypt (v.2).

He is the LORD, the sovereign One, the covenant-keeping God, “You shall have no other gods before me.” (v.3). He is bundling everything together in this vast universe and placing it all before His people – but none of it compares to Him. Egypt was full of gods for everything – rivers, crops, sun, health and well-being. Central in the worship of Egypt were man-made gods which had human features. All man-made systems of worship always end up being man-centred.

Far too often, the people of Israel looked far too ‘Egyptian.’ God is calling them to a greater experience of worship. God tells them they were made for more than crops, health – they were made for God, to look upwards. What about you? What have you dedicated your life to? You are made for God. The Lord deliverers His people from those gods. The plagues were specifically shown to humiliate these gods. God uses these to deliver people to Himself. God reigns and no one can take His throne. What are your gods compared to the God? They are nothing. The universe, and how we work and function properly, works when we are turned towards Him. God is to be central in our hearts.

God is to be central in all the universe. He is to be central in our hearts. “You shall have no other gods before me.” (v.3). ‘Before me – ahead of me, greater than me. He has the only right to the throne of the universe. ‘Before me’ can also mean in front of me, in my presence. From the throne, as God looks out, He sees everything. He alone is God. Isaiah tells us repeatedly there is no one like the Lord; He alone created everything from nothing and sustains everything (Isaiah 45).

He is the righteous, just God, the only God who saves sinners. We are sinners. No one can take our sins away but the Lord (v.20). No one else has the right, the authority to do so. We are called to turn to Him and be saved. We are called to have our lives re-ordered around His throne. Our hearts are only ordered properly when He is centred, when He is our desire. We are to love Him with all our heart, but that is not our natural inclination. Our lives are disordered, a mess, because God is not central in it. We need our hearts to be turned to Him.

If your life is a mess and troubles you, the God who commands is the God who redeems. He rescued the Israelites out of Egypt tyranny. He can redeem you and bring you out of your other gods. He will keep you and change you. Take comfort in knowing though your life hasn’t been what it’s meant to be, there is a man whose life is exactly how it was meant to be. In all His life the centrality of God is everything. His life is a well-ordered life; everything is right about him.

How many times a day are you reminded of the sovereignty of God sat on his throne? For Jesus, it is constant. Jesus laid down His life so we can be forgiven of our sin, for failing to recognise the Lordship of God. Jesus is constantly reminded of the father’s glory. He died for sin. Then, by the power of H risen life, He can change our heart so we can love God. Putting your trust in Jesus means your life will be put right. Our hearts are to be centred on Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is not just to be centred in our hearts, but in the whole universe. God is present everywhere. He sees everything. Everything is before him, everything is in His sight. The whole universe combined cannot be compared to God. He tells us that we can now have Him. What a great, generous God. He will even give himself to us. No one else made everything and owns everything. No one else will or can give you His grace. No one else can treat you as fairly as God. No one else saves like Jesus saves. All of the universe declares that.

The destiny of the whole universe will be revealed; around His throne angels and every living thing and being will gather. He will reign forever and ever. And on that throne is Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain for sinners like us, so we can come to the throne, be washed and join in the praise of the whole universe. There, everything makes sense and fits together.