Lord – Penuel Baptist Chapel, Roch

July 30th 2023: Geraint Morse

Published on July 30, 2023 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

Exodus 33: 7-23

This is an account of an incredible conversation between the man of God, Moses, and his God. I am struck by this man’s boldness; he came into God’s presence with bold confidence and the assurance that he will be heard. As he comes before God Himself, he makes several requests, in ascending order. They raise the level, one after another.

Moses’ first request is found in verses 12 to 13, “Teach me your ways.” That is what Moses desires. He wants to find favour with God, as a leader. Then, Moses puts in this request, “Remember this nation is your people,” (verse 13). Is that our request this morning, that above all other things, we want to know God’s ways better? Do we want to be a better teacher, a better child, a better believer? We belong to the people of God. We are the people of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, that we may be taught in His ways.

The second request that Moses has is to do with leadership, being led. Moses says there is no point going one step forward unless God is with us. Have you got plans? Are you considering a change of location, a change of occupation, or a change of direction – individually, as a group of people, or as a fellowship of God’s people? May this be a cry from the heart. Unless the Lord is leading you in a situation, there is no point going forward. May you know His way ahead at Penuel.

I get a sense of increased intensity in Moses’ requests. His third request is, “Lord show me your glory.” Was there ever such a request made by any man in the Old Testament? What did Moses expect to see, to happen, to experience? I imagine it was to see and to feel something of the majesty, the glory, the honour, and the holiness of God himself and Moses standing before him.

God answered him, ‘It’s not quite that easy Moses; no man can see my face and live.’ Such is His Holiness. God continued, ‘But I tell you, there’s a rock over there Moses, you’ll hide in that rock and I will pass by. As I pass by, I will shelter you. My hand will protect you from the glory you’ve asked to see. As I pass by, you will see a partial glimpse of my glory.’

If you walk along the Pembrokeshire coast, you will see curves in rocks caused by deep movements within the earth, twisted and lifted up. Faults arise. As winds and rain beat into the rocks, clefts are caused. Sometimes, you will see a split in a rock. Sometimes, you will see just a stack left above. Think of the power that has formed this geological formation. It was in such a cleft that Moses hid. He hid in a cleft in a rock, in a split in the rock. Moses hid, sheltered, and the glory of God passed by. God removed his hand and Moses saw just a glimpse – no more. God gave him as much as he possibly could have. Moses saw something of the glory of God. Is that your desire?

John speaks about the glory of God in Jesus Christ, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14). This story from Exodus 33 is a picture of what God has done for us in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is through Him the glory of God is revealed to us. John, who was with Jesus on the mount of Transfiguration, saw for a moment something of the glory of God as Jesus was transformed in front of his eyes. He saw the glory of God in the face of Jesus. That’s where we see it.

We have all sinned, we have all broken God’s laws, we’re all guilty. We deserve punishment. But the wonder of the gospel is God sent His Son to be an atonement for our sin, so that we might be forgiven. This is the work of Calvary. Through trusting in the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ you can come before God and confess your sins, believing Jesus died for you as you ask for forgiveness, and ask for a new life in him. Jesus is our cleft in the rock. It is hiding in Jesus that we are safe and see the glory of God. Have you believed in His teaching, in His leadership and in His revelation?

We praise God as we believe in Him and as He leads us. As you walk along the coastal path, when you see a rock with a cut in it, just remember the Lord Jesus Christ, broken for us, His blood shed for you and me, that we may have peace with the Father.

August 19th 2018: Alan Davison

Published on August 26, 2018 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

Alan Davison - August 18 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Matthew 7:21-23

The Lordship of Christ

These are strong words from Jesus, looking at those who truly accept Him as Lord and those who don’t. Verse 21 is associated with the parable of the Way. Jesus gives a warning of a merely verbal profession of faith. He is demanding we make an absolute choice. If Christ is not your Lord, you are not saved. There’s only one way to God.

There are contrasts to be seen here. When you go to the wide gate you can carry a lot through – sin. But you need to give this up to go through the narrow gate. We must come to a living faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Everyone travelling along the wide path seeks their own way. Those who travel on the narrow path travel in fellowship, it has clearly defined boundaries, God’s word guiding us in how to behave. Jesus’ direction is for our own benefit. Matthew 11:29-30. He will help us.

There’s also a sharp contrast in the destination. The narrow life leads to life, the broad way leads to destruction. The problem is this grates with our culture which likes choice, it doesn’t want to be restricted.

Jesus follows up this parable by warning against false prophets. These are found by the narrow path, preventing people from taking the narrow path. They will likely affirm that they are followers of Jesus, but do not have Jesus as their Lord.

‘Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). What is holiness? J. C. Ryle states, “A holy man will follow after purity of heart. He knows his own heart is like tinder, and will diligently keep clear of the sparks of temptation.”

Jesus considers this to be an important issue because He expands in verse 22. He says there will also be people who not only make a verbal profession of faith, but also an intellectual profession. Many even think they are Christians themselves (Simon the sorcerer, Acts 8:9-24).

We see Jesus follows this statement with the parable of the two builders. Why do so many people fill their lives with all sorts of things – possessions, careers? They realise something is missing. They look for a belief system that can accommodate the rest of their lives but Scripture tells us they will be like the foolish man who built his house on sand.

Jesus presents us with a stark choice; build on the rock, Himself, or something else. Both of these men in this parable hear Jesus. Neither is ignorant, but one has decided not to listen. There is a parallel with 2 Corinthians 5:17. To be a new creation means we start again, we are re-born spiritually. Building on a new foundation will mean change. We will have a different perspective. We will look at things in light of scripture.

Foundations are only tested when the storm comes. Both houses are subjected to the same treatment. As Christians we still have troubles but we have Jesus Christ to take us through them. To be a Christian is to acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.

Jesus offers Himself. We can depend on His foundation. Every human being faces a stark choice. Jesus is the one who saves us. It will be a difficult path at time but eternity lies at the end. We don’t want an intellectual understanding. We need to out our faith into practice.

We see the crowd’s reaction in verses 28-29. There is no indication here of anyone coming to faith. These people play out the negative side of the parable Jesus has just told. In Matthew 8:1 we see Jesus had many followers. Some may have referred to Him as Lord, but this may be just verbal. His teachings elicited astonishment but they did not put it into practice. They needed to recognise Jesus was God. Even though He made it quite plain – (verse 21, ‘My Father’) – a direct claim to divinity, and again in verse 22, in Jesus’ name, and again in verse 23, He will sit in judgement in the role of God Himself – still they people denied Him as Lord.

See Jesus for who He truly is. Earnestly seek to build holy lives.

Morning Worship: Sunday 24th July 2016

Published on July 25, 2016July 27, 2016 by Penuel Baptist Roch1 Comment

Aaron2 Morning worship was led by Aaron Davies-Whitfield who preached from Philippians chapter 2 verses 17-18 which he titled “A life poured out.”

The philosophy of the world that we find ourselves in is ‘Drink and be merry for tomorrow we die’ – accumulate all you can and enjoy life to the full, become successful, seeking wealth, fame and popularity, for who knows what tomorrow brings. That’s the philosophy of a world without God. However, there is a wonderful contrast in the Bible. Jesus said, ‘If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me’ (Matthew 16: 23-25).

How different the mentality and position of Christians. Our lives are to be lives of not drinking in but pouring out for the Lord Jesus Christ. Here, Paul is telling the Philippians that his life is poured out. Paul is under house arrest in Rome. He has already suffered much for the Lord Jesus Christ: he has been beaten, mocked, kicked out of churches, his name has been shunned and ridiculed, he has been shipwrecked – all for Jesus Christ. We must pay attention to his words, of the words of a man who has forsaken all and taken up his cross for the Lord.

We first read of a drink offering in Genesis 35: 14. A drink offering has value; it is not water, it is wine – something that takes time and toil. As the wine was poured on the burnt offering it would produce a wonderful fragrance, a sweet smell to the Lord. Our lives are not the main sacrifice, they will never come up to the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He alone was the only one worthy to take our place on the cross. He was spotless, pure and without blemish. Our lives, in comparison to what He has done, seem so insignificant. Yet, when we offer ourselves to Him it comes as a sweet fragrance.

Paul was beheaded under the reign of Nero. We have seen a lot on the news of terrorism. The path of Christ is totally different. We don’t seek to destroy life but to save souls, to change people by God’s grace. We don’t go around with swords and explosives but with the Word of God. There may come a time of persecution. Christianity and Christ is everything – it’s all or nothing. There is no compromise, no sitting on the fence. The greatest status anyone can ever have is that you are saved and serving Him.

Today’s baptisms speak of our old life dying, our old life being crucified with Christ and a new life starting. Your life is no longer your own. Christianity is, ‘I do everything for Jesus.’ He is our Lord.

The philosophy of the world is ‘I am the master of my future. For those in Christ it is the complete opposite; He is the Master of our lives, the captain of our Salvation. He is the Lord.

Christianity is not forced on you. Paul says, ‘Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God’ (Romans 12:1). We were once slaves to sin and the culture of the world, now we come and offer our lives to Him. Present our lives as an offering, as a sacrifice, as a drink offering.

Isaiah 53 tells us ‘He poured out His soul unto death.’ What is a sacrifice today? It is sacrificing your time, your gifts, the things God has given you. Give your gifts to His glory. Give money – there is a part we must give to the work of God, a tenth. It must come from the heart, be something that you gladly want to give to the work of God. Give yourself. Give Him your heart.

Sunday 3rd July 2016-Morning Service

Published on July 7, 2016 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

Gaius

Worship was led by Gaius Douglas of Calvary Church, Haverfordwest, who preached from 2 Peter 3:1-9

With the Welsh football team unexpectedly reaching the quarter finals of Euro 16, Gareth Bale has said we are in ‘uncharted territory’. Are we, as Christians, in unchartered territory? The answer is no; our focus, our image, should now be totally different because when the Lord Jesus Christ came into our heart He changed us, from glory to glory. The aim is we should become more and more like him. How? We have the manual. We should never say we are in uncharted territory. The map, our chart, our Bible, tells us ‘Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and today, and forever.’ (Hebrew 13:8). He wrote the plan.

Surprise echoes the world. The Bible asks why we are surprised; we have the answer. In 2 Timothy 3:1 we read ‘But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come.’ The same God, who made everything, knows the end from the beginning. He started it so He is going to finish it. The Master planner has planned it all, He offers a plan of salvation for all. (Hebrew 1:1-3) We can stand firm on the rock of Jesus Christ, on His word. Do not be fearful or frightened. The plan of Salvation has preserved us from all shocks. Your life is secure in Jesus. No one can take us out of His hands. 2 Peter 3:9 ‘The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance’ He has time, He lives outside time, He has promised and He will deliver.

Are you living for this world? Is your hope built upon the world or are you living for Christ and who He is? John 14:2 ‘In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.’ Is heaven a reality? It is more of a reality then earth. When the roll is called up yonder will you be there? We are in the last days, we live in perilous times, and things will get worst. Haggai 2:7 says, ‘And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.’ Stand firm!

Christ bore our sins on Calvary’s cross so we might have a place in heaven for those who receive him. This is our comfort. 1 Thessalonians 4:18

He has outlined in scripture a perfect plan. He will come to receive us unto himself. Are you excited? Our Lord is coming!

Those who do not believe will stand before the Judgement throne and be judged then cast into the lake of fire. In the last census taken they were 122,400 people living in Pembrokeshire, yet chapels are empty. People are heading for a lost eternity. Do you care? The one who died on Calvary’s Cross has gone to prepare a place for you. He wants all to come to repentance. He has a plan. He has given us a way, provided a way through Christ. We need to share what Christ has given us with others. For everyone today there is hope – the only hope, Christ Jesus. Go out, live His life, let the world see Jesus is alive.

Sunday 13th December 2015 – Morning Service

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sunday 25th October – Morning Service

Published on October 25, 2015November 5, 2015 by Penuel Baptist RochLeave a comment

This morning’s we listened to the Word of God being preached from 1 Samuel chapter 30, which our guest speaker, Gaius Douglas of Calvary Church, Haverfordwest, referred to as “The Pain of Loss.” We were shown that David was a man after God’s own heart. At his most difficult times he grieved, yet he encouraged himself in the Lord. God allows His people to come to that point so that we may realise that we have no control, we need to find our strength in the Lord. We may go through desperate situations but we need to encourage ourselves in the Lord, to wait upon Him. Matthew 11:28 promises “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” We need to exercise our faith, to meditate on God’s goodness, on what He has done for us. Don’t try to do things our own way; see the Saviour who came into this world and showed His love, the love of God. Rely on His promises, they will never fail. Put your hope, your trust in Him. Go forward in God, listen to God, hope in God.