Tag: Bible

February 8th 2026: Tom Baker

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Genesis 7: A Call to a better life.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[1] Outside the ark.

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

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

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

[2] Inside the ark.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

January 11th 2026: Phil Meiring

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[1] Seeing Jesus in the text.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

September 21st 2025: Jeremy Bailey

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Isaiah 42:1-17

           The first word in our text is “behold.” It comes the idea of gazing intently upon someone or something. This is essentially the main point of the passage and of our message today. Do you remember when you were first saved and entered into the way of Christ? You could not get enough of this wonderful Jesus! Before you conversion you never gave Him a thought, but now you love Him and you begin to love what He loves. You love the brethren and the church, then you begin to develop a great love for the Bible.

            But then there is this great difficulty. The Bible is made up of 66 different books and some of them, like Isaiah, are quite long. Maybe as a young believer you started with the New Testament. I was encouraged to read Mark’s gospel to start with. It’s all about Jesus. Its quite short. It is dynamic with things happening straight away or immediately. The other gospels gather attention next because they too are about Jesus. Then we look at the letters which explain things concerning Jesus and the gospel. This is a message for and to all of the world not just to a single nation (Israel). Even if we are unsure about the teaching of Revelation at least we come to know the certainty of Christ coming back once more.

            What about the Old Testament? To many it is just ‘old’ and so not so important as the New Testament. But we do know differently don’t we? All Scripture is God-breathed and God has spoken through the prophets o old. Isaiah is made up of 66 chapters and in a way it is a mini Bible. There are some difficult and tough parts, but it is all about Jesus too! We learn this from what Jesus said to the disciples after the resurrection (see Luke 24:26,27,44-46). Whilst the New Testament announces the arrival of Jesus Christ and concerns His appearing, ministry, and the implications of all He did, the Old Testament prepares the way and continually points towards the first advent of Christ. There is much in the Old Testament which describes both the Person and the work of Christ. In Isaiah we have a number of ‘Servant Songs’ of which our passage is one example. And in it we get a glimpse of the nature and work of the prophesied Messiah.

            Now in our text we see three wonderful pictures of Christ. First, He is a great King. Before Isaiah 6 we have a series of sermons from the prophet, but then in chapter 6 we are hear of the death of king Uzziah. Wonderfully, it was at this very point in time that Isaiah “saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up” (Isaiah 6:1). When a monarch dies there is a great period of uncertainty. How will the successor to the throne act? What will their reign be like? Isaiah might have thought that the next king would not be as good as Uzziah? But Isaiah is given this vision of a King who would never die and is way above all others. The apostle John quoted from Isaiah and identified this One whom the prophet saw with the Lord Jesus (John 12:37-41).  Second, from Isaiah 35 to 55 the focus is upon the coming One as “the Servant of the Lord.” Chapter 42 begins with the Father speaking of His Son. Our Lord and Saviour did not come to rule as an earthly king but came as a servant and to give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28; Mark10:45). Third, in the last section, from chapter 56 up to chapter 66, we see the promised Messiah depicted as the One who conquers.

            In our passage we have Christ as the “Servant of the Lord.” How can we be sure that this is a picture of the Lord Jesus? After healing a man with a withered hand on the sabbath, the Pharisees wanted to destroy Him (Matthew 12:13,14). And when Jesus knew of their plots He withdrew from that place but continued to heal many warning them not to make Him known, and then Matthew comments that Christ’s actions were prophesied of by Isaiah quoting our passage of Isaiah 42 (Matthew 12:15-21). So Jesus Christ is clearly “the Servant of the Lord” as depicted in Isaiah.

            I want to draw from Isaiah 42 three themes in relation to this “Servant of the Lord.”

[1] The Servant of the Lord and His commission.

            God the Father invites us to consider, or to “behold,” this delightful One known as “the Servant of the Lord.” We are to think deeply, to gaze intently, and to meditate thoughtfully on this dear One. Now God has many servants at His disposal. There are the angels, for example, who do His will (Psalm 104:4). There are His people called to various tasks. But the work of saving people form their sins and disaster was so special and intricate a task, that He was never going to trust it to men nor to angels. Men, of course, were discounted because of being sinners. Angels are mightily powerful but only His Son could do this vital task. Salvation is of such importance that only the Son of God was called upon to carry out this mission. ?

            Do you struggle with difficulties? Are you depressed and set about with anxious thoughts? Are you suffering grave temptations that are difficult in your life at this time? Our great problem is that we focus on the problem. We look to ourselves, our condition, our troubles, when all we really need to do is to “behold” the Lord’s Servant,Jesus Christ.

            There is a tiny village chapel like Penuel near to Colchester in Essex. It is sited on a high hill near to a road called ‘artillery street.’ In 1850 there sat a young man in the pews by the name of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. He couldn’t get to his normal place of worship due to the snow, so he ended up in this little chapel. The man due to speak was taken ill, and so one of the church members got up to preach. His text was:

Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. (Isaiah 45:22).

The man speaking was not particularly gifted but he pressed his text earnestly upon the congregation and even pointed directly to Spurgeon saying ‘young man you look particularly miserable, look to Christ.’ It was at this point that Spurgeon came to faith in the Lord, merely by looking with intent at the Saviour. As an aside there was a young man in our church called ‘Jonathan’ who had Down’s Syndrome. The young people used to leave after the third hymn for their youth teaching and as he was leaving he looked back at us in the congregation and said ‘cheer up!’ Sometimes Christians can look and appear so dour!

            In the New Testament we see the Lord Jesus calling Nicodemus to do what the Israelites did in the wilderness when they were plagued by snakes. Do you remember that incident? It is recorded in Numbers 21:7-9. The people had sinned and were plagued by snakes. After praying the Lord told Moses to make a bronze pole with a snake on it. The people were told to look to the pole and they would be healed. The Lord Jesus made reference to this and transferred the focus to Himself:

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:14,15).

Look to Jesus! The Father sent the Son and upholds the Saviour who died for sins. The Holy Spirit honours the Saviour and convicts sinners of their need applying all that the Lord Jesus gained to those who look to Him. This is a work of the blessed trinity, Father, Son,and Holy Spirit. Have you looked to the Saviour?

[2] How the Servant of the Lord carried out His task.

            The Lord Jesus Christ carried out His wonderful work of salvation with modesty and with gentleness. He did not shout out in the street (Isaiah 42:2). The Lord was not given to raising His voice, except briefly in regard to the Pharisees upon whom He pronounced several woes (Matthew 23). For the vast majority of His life He lived quietly as a carpenter in Galilee. When He began His ministry there was no fanfare or trumpeting, and there was marketing or publication. He simply went and preached the good news. He was especially gentle in His dealings and interactions with people. He was no ‘pushover,’ but He was never belligerent nor bombastic, demanding to be heard. He understood the people and their need. He did not ‘pull His punches,’ and always spoke the truth. To the woman of Samaria He pointed out her condition in sin, but He was always gentle leading people to see the truth and their need of Him. Matthew 11:28-30 records how He issued a general call for all who were burdened and laden down to come to Him. In Isaiah 42:3 we read these beautiful words:

A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. (Isaiah 42:3).

You often see reeds by the riverside bent over after a violent storm and rain. It is a simple matter to just break the bent reed as you pass by on your walk. Naturally the reeds are not easy to break due to the fibrous nature and structure. But if the reed is bent over by some violent force it becomes a lot easier to break off. We do not use candles very often but when they get down to the very bottom and the wick is sputtering and barely glowing it is a simple thing to lick your fingers and snuff the dying embers out. Now these two illustrations are pictures of fallen human beings. We can barely stand up among the forces that buffet us,and there are but the dying embers of life left. Hebrew is a very different language to English. The negative is put here to imply the opposite positive. In saying that this Servant of the Lord will not break a bruised reed and will not quench a smoking flax, the Lord is really saying that He would restore structure and bring back to life. The Lord will cup His hand around the smouldering wick and will gently blow upon it to fan the flames back to life! The Lord knows us. He knows our frame. He knows we are weak and frail. He knows we sometimes are clinging to life. Well He is gentle and incredibly loving! What-is-more, he is our Creator and knows what to do!

[3] The people to whom the Servant of the Lord came.

            Those who are not yet saved are bruised and smouldering. But even the saved are still bruised and still struggle with life ‘going out’ like a smouldering wick. We are works in progress. Our justification is secured, but we are in need of sanctification and ongoing repair. We mentioned Spurgeon’s conversion a moment ago. He was very miserable as a teenager and needed to hear the Lord’s call. He was, it seems, a very religious person, but he needed to be bruised before he came to faith. Mankind is very proud. If all is going well and there are no problems in view then what need does he have of God? He may be very successful in career, in family, in relationships and so on, so what need is there of God? He has great need, of course, but he is unaware of it and does not see his need. The Lord allows us to be bruised by the world, by our sin, and even by Satan’s misdemeanours. He does this to bring us to see our lost and hopeless condition. We are bruised and in need of repair. Think too of the prodigal son (Luke 15). He had to be brought to a point when he came to his senses and saw his desperately low condition, before he returned to his father. Man is bruised so that he can be led back to the Lord.

            Now even as Christians we are sometimes bruised and sometimes become like a smouldering wick. But why is this? It is so that we would value Christ even more. It is so that our hold of the things of this world will become lighter. It is so that we might become more holy, more like Christ, and more alive! See how the ‘giants of faith’ in Scripture were sometimes bruised. Peter was bruised by the Lord and made to see his over confidence in himself. David was bruised too. He was made to see the wickedness of his actions and brought to deep and sorrowful confession (see Psalm 38 and Psalm 51). Paul too was bruised. He had his ‘thorn in the flesh’ which the Lord would not remove to keep the apostle humble and trusting. Those whom Jesus has saved may be bruised at times, and this in order for them to gaze deeper into the Lord’s face. Even little children are forgetful of their parents until they fall and graze their knees. But them as they pour out their tears they look into the face of their mum or dad in hope that all will be made better. How much more will a bruised saint gaze into the face of Jesus who died for them? Remember this above all else. We have a Saviour who was “wounded for our transgressions,” and who was “bruised for iniquities,” (Isaiah 53:5). His bruising was for our salvation. Our bruising is for His glory and to make us more like Him.

June 22nd 2025: Paul Daniel

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Philippians 4:4-8

How many of you are hot and bothered with the heat? It may be one of those weekends when you may not want to do anything because it is too hot. Have you ever been anxious about anything? Being anxious is a very human response to some situations. Anxiety can become intensive and lead to distress. Some form of stress is good for you, to push yourself for example when exercising. Anxiety and stress are very much part of our daily life.

The apostle Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (v4). We can say that can be difficult. How can we rejoice when things that are beautiful are broken in this world? We read powerful words in Psalm 46. In times of trouble, if you were an Israelite what would life have been like? They had many difficulties, but they saw God at work: in the Flood God preserved His people, in slavery God rescued His people. Throughout the whole of history we see God is faithful to His people. He has a gospel. God has been faithful to His Word.

When you are concerned or worried about something we have the same God; He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Paul writes to the church in Philippi reminding them to stand firm, to be strong in the Lord. Throughout all of history God is faithful and in control.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (4:4). There were big distractions 2000 years ago. There were false teachers and plenty of things to distract God’s people. Paul says not to be distracted but to stand firm in the Lord Jesus Christ. Sometimes, in Christian life, there are many things that distract us and unsettle us. They unsettle our mind and our walk with the Lord. One thing that unsettles people is God’s people! (opening 4 verses). Someone can say something that they shouldn’t say (James). How silly it is when Christians get into all sorts of tiffs and arguments. The Lord Jesus Christ died for us! Sometimes, we don’t hear what other people are saying and make assumptions.

Do you know what the smallest muscle in the human body is? It is the stapedius, a 1 mm tiny muscle inside your ear which controls volume levels. Just us the tongue is so important, this muscle is so important. As Christian brothers be unified, don’t mis-hear. Jesus Christ has come to unite us to Him and to one another.

We face Christian hardship, but Paul says not to be anxious, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (v6). Things can come our way unexpectedly. We may have unexpected troubles. There are difficulties in the Christian life. Some churches will promote a gospel that says if you’re a Christian everything will go well with you. No! Difficulties will come (Jesus – Parable of the Sower). The Christian life does not get easier, it can get more difficult. In our growth in godliness there is growth in our sensitivity to sin. It is different for all of us. We respond in different ways but Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (v4). He talks about being gentle and reasonable. There is a harshness in our world. But God sent His Son to forgive us of our sin, to cleanse as, to soft and our hearts and give us a hope that will never disappoint us, to give us a destination – heaven.

We are waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ to return. Before that glorious day, Paul says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (v6). Here is a prayer, probably the most underutilised prayer of a Christian. When we pray we are being listened to in the throne room of heaven. The Lord Jesus Christ is interceding for us. We access God who is capable of the impossible. You have access to God. He can do the impossible because He raised Jesus Christ from the dead. As you are praying, present your requests with thanksgiving.

As you grow in grace, see how God has kept you and answered your prayers. He is faithful to His people and never forsakes them. When you pray it is a reminder of all God has done in your life and this helps you to rejoice. There is no Christian who has everything sorted. None of us are perfect. Yet, all of us can be rejoicing through what God has done so far in our lives. We are justified, reconciled, received the gift of the Holy Spirit, been given brothers and sisters in Christ. He says He will be with us. People can let us down, even those closest to you. But you have the Lord Jesus Christ who is closer than a brother.

What happens when you present your prayers with thanksgiving?  “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (v7). This peace transcends all understanding. It’s a picture of being guarded. You have a Protector, a shield, strength. It is a picture of peace.

There are times when God takes you through difficulties and times when He takes you out of them. My encouragement is to keep going. In this world people expect everything to be fixed right now. My friends, we have a wonderful hope we are looking to. Sometimes we get distracted, but Paul says our attitude in the midst of difficulties should be, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”  (v8).

What is the Christian attitude meant to be? It should be deliberate.  All you have to do is come to the Lord Jesus Christ and follow Him. The Christian attitude is meant to be deliberate, “If there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”  (v8b). We must actively seek ‘whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable.’

Sometimes, we do the opposite for example how much time do we spend on social media? It can be a window into coveting what everyone else has. If there is something that is not good for us, then stop. When we are aware of something that is not good for us, we need to stop. We have on-demand television. This can dull our senses. Are we aware of the things that drag us down? Paul says we must focus on what is true, honourable, just, pure, lovely and commendable.

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (v9). Paul follows Jesus. Be more like Jesus Christ. This will be better for our mind, better for our body, better for our soul, and better for our friends. How can we do this? The Holy Spirit helps us. We need to be obedient to the word of the law. Be under the word of God.

What is the answer, the response to a Christian life of hardship? Go and tell others what God has done for you. 2000 years ago many people had difficulties. They looked to Jesus. These words were written for them and for us.

Paul ends, “And the God of peace will be with you.” (v9b). God’s peace in an uncertain world. He gives His peace and we can ask for more. When you are anxious, when you are worried, when you are going through difficulties, remember the words of Jesus Christ, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33).

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.

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.

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.

May 12th 2024: Robert Strivens

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2 Peter 3:1-15: Godly living in the light of Christ’s return in glory and for judgement.

“Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.  And count the patience of our Lord as salvation” (v.14-15a).

These verses are a summary of what Peter wants us to learn. We are waiting for these things, and as we wait and look forward, we need to be careful, found in Christ, living in such a way that is holy and godly.

This chapter is first of all telling us that this world will come to an end (v.14). Essentially, Peter wants people to think of the end of the age and the new heavens and new earth (v.13). That is where he wants us to look; when this world, as we know it, will come to an end, and a new heaven and a new earth will take its place.

This is a fairly general letter, comforting people because they are being scoffed at (vs.3-4). People still do this today. Peter was writing to give comfort and assurance. When people laugh at us and don’t believe what we say, as believers, it can be unsettling. People question why this world will come to an end as there is no sign of this. Many doubt if it is really going to happen. Peter addresses this feeling of being unsettled. He reminds us of two vital things:

  1. the past
  2. to look forward

1.The Past

Look back (vs. 5-6). We are reminded that things have not always been like this, as they are today. There has been a beginning of all things; God created all things by His word (Genesis 1). There was a time when there was nothing but God. He created this world out of nothing (Hebrews 3). Peter is saying things had a beginning. We must be clear and not be taken up by evolutionary thought. From the word of God there was creation of this universe. It will keep going until He brings it to an end (v.7).

Things continue as they are because God maintains them by His word (Hebrews 1, Psalm 102). Peter is saying things appear to go on with no sign of judgement. But look, this world is maintained by God. Furthermore, he points out that there has been a great worldwide catastrophe in the past (v.6). Why is he pointing to the Flood? Because you cannot assume things will go on. Look to the past – the judgement for people’s wickedness.

Things had a start, a beginning, there was this great catastrophe. Things don’t continue without interruption. People should not assume things have always been as they are. This world will come to an end. Look back, then look forward (v.4).

2. Look forward.

See the promise of His coming (v.7), when Christ will return in judgement. The end of this world is coming. God is not slow to fulfil this promise (v.9). He gives an explanation, “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (v.8). It is not some philosophical trick. It is a much more solid point. The Lord is patient (v.9). He is waiting. God is merciful and is waiting for all He has chosen to return to Him in repentance.

A time is coming when the Lord will return and judge the world. God is deliberately patient with sinful humanity. He is given opportunity for the church to give witness. He will return suddenly, without warning (v.10). This teaching is so clear in the Bible. We can’t work it out. Then, disaster will come for those who do not know the Lord (v.10). The world will come to an end – not by some man-made event, but by the act of God Himself. It is vital we grasp that.

What does that mean for a Christian today?

Our priorities for living.
 Peter draws conclusions for how we are to live today and every day (vs.12-13). A Christian is characterised by living a holy and godly life. This is the practical outworking of that doctrine. We know when God brings this universe to an end, we will have the home of righteousness. As we look forward to this great future, we should seek to live holy and godly lives. We are expecting to see the Lord in His glory, the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. This will be an extraordinary experience – Christ returning in glory to judge the world, to usher in new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. This should affect how we live – not just in outward appearance but in heart.

If we are born again of the Holy Spirit, we should walk in Christ’s way, seeking to live lives of holiness and godliness, rooted in the soil of true repentance of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. We should be trusting in what Christ has done on the cross. We contribute nothing at all. It all depends on Christ, who has successfully paid the price in full. That is the foundation. We seek, through the Holy Spirit, to live for Him.

Paul tells us in Colossians 3, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” There is a great change in someone who repents. Peter says we are not perfect; we continue to sin and don’t live up to the standards of God. But we seek the Lord’s forgiveness. Sometimes, we backslide. Return to the saviour. Look to Him and ask Him to restore you. Remember what Jesus Himself said, “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.” (Luke 12:37).

Peter says we are to be actively looking forward to the Lord’s return (v.12). This is not just knowing it is true, but waiting, thinking about it. Are we thinking about it? This should be the major event on our horizon – greater than marriage, greater than the birth of a child, greater than retirement. How often do you reflect on this glorious fact of Christ’s return, of this universe being destroyed and a far better version coming, a time when sin will be no more, when there will be no more lying, theft, deception, adultery, pride, murder. All terrible consequences will be gone. There will be no more famine, ill health, poverty, sadness. All will be abolished. It is not fantasy, it is reality. It is God’s promise.

Is that where your heart is set – the new heavens and the new earth? We enjoy this creation but we are looking for an even better day, when Christ returns in glory. Are you waiting and looking forward? “Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.” (v.14). At peace. We live in a world where there is anything but peace. Do you know the peace of Christ? In this time of waiting, it is a time of salvation, “And count the patience of our Lord as salvation” (v.15a). Seek to witness and testify that others may know the saviour in this day of grace.

March 3rd 2024: Gareth Llewellyn

Published on by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

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Matthew 13:44-52

There is a monetary value on things. Each year Forbes produces a list of the most wealthy people. The richest man in the world is worth £173.57 billion. That is what the world aspires to – what we have is what we’re worth. We are worth much more than that. We define value as what we are willing to pay. Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of stew. In that moment, stew was more valuable.

What are you worth? Can we place a value upon you? If you live in the UK, you are in the top 15% of the world’s richest people. In Cambodia, Cameroon, Pakistan and Nepal, the national average wage for a year is less than £1500. In Sudan and Somalia it is less than £600 a year. If you are in Afghanistan, it is less than £300.

Socially, our value might be higher than what we have. We may have the respect of others; we might champion social injustices, environmental causes, community work, where people look up to us. What if you need assistance, how does community value you?

What value are you to God?
Jesus tells 3 parables about the Kingdom of God:

  • The Parable of the man who finds treasure buried in a field, who re-buries the treasure and sells all he has to buy the field, knowing that the treasure in the field is worth far more than the field itself.
  • The Parable of the merchant who searches for and finds a rare pearl and sells all he has to buy the pearl;
  • The Parable of the fishermen who, when they retrieve the net, keep hold of remarkable fish and get rid of the dross – those of no value, no worth.

I’ve heard these parables preached separately, but they are a group of three parables. It has often been suggested that they speak of finding Jesus and giving up everything to follow Him. But that is not the context when the three parables are put together. Something else is going on. We can’t be the fishermen throwing stuff away.

How are the parables connected? In verse 47 we read, ‘again.’ There is repetition. A different image is used to say the same thing: the one who is the owner of the field is Jesus, the merchant is Jesus, the fisherman is Jesus. Who is the treasure, the pearl, the fish? His lost people. Jesus is the one seeking. If you’re in Christ, you are the treasure, you are the pearl, you are the fish.

Treasure.
Our treasure is in the field that was owned by someone. Everything in it legally belongs to another man. The finder bought the field, selling everything he had to get it. He bought the field to obtain one treasure.
The field is the world. The treasure is us – those who believe in Christ for salvation. John 3:16. When Jesus died, He paid for those sins of the world. The debt is covered. But this only applies to the person who believes. Jesus joyfully went to the cross because he knew what was at the end of it – your salvation. It should bring joy to our heart. You are his treasure.

Pearl.
People will pay large amounts for something they value. The merchant goes to the jewellers. He knows what he is looking for – pearls. There, he finds the pearl he has been searching for. He gets the price. He goes and sells everything to get it. Here is the doctrine of adoption. It is up to God, in His sovereign choice, to save who He chooses. The merchant gave up everything for the Pearl, the one pearl he placed great value on. See the value Christ has on you.

Christ searches for you. He willingly exchanged all He had to pay for you. It cost Jesus His blood. But more than that, He left the throne of eternity, and came to earth. One day we will find out what heaven is like and never want to leave. Jesus came to be born into shame and scandal, born to a teenage girl. He came into this world to be fed, to learn to walk and talk. He lived righteously. He died for us. He shed all his blood. When they pierced His side, water came out. All His blood had gone. His death paid for your life. That is what it cost Jesus to buy you. You are worth everything. You are worth dying for.

Christian, rejoice! Christ did everything for you. Sinner, realise He gave all for you. Consider the joy that Christ has when we are all gathered in. We are that pearl that he gave everything for.

Dragnet.
The gospel of Jesus is like the net – thrown far and wide. It brings all sorts of people to Jesus. Many seek out Jesus but fall away. People went to him for healing, they saw miracles. They were binge watching miracles. The Bible shows people followed Jesus for all sorts of reasons, but few were following for the right reason. Only those who truly believe are chosen by God. The Kingdom of God is only filled by those whom He has chosen. If you have confessed Jesus is Lord, you are chosen. But there are many who claim to follow Jesus but don’t.

You may go to church, you may go to prayer meetings, you may read your Bible, but are you trusting in Jesus? Ask yourself, ‘Am I truly trusting in Jesus?’ That is all that matters. What have you done with Jesus? You have been purchased at great cost by the blood of Jesus. If you are trusting in Jesus, then you are the treasure you are the pearl, you are the fish.

We are repeatedly told we are of great worth to God. You are loved by God regardless of your circumstances. Lost child of God, know your worth, put your trust in Him, confess your sins. Know your worth. Rejoice in your worth.