October 28, 2020

Which they Made for the Purpose

As the Israelites were rebuilding Jerusalem, they needed a place for the entire congregation to gather to hear the Word of the Lord. Now, unlike Western New York, the climate in Jerusalem did not necessitate an enclosed building for their meeting, but it did require a large space and the building of a platform. Nehemiah 8:4 describes this occasion, “So Ezra, the scribe, stood on a platform of wood, which they made for the purpose . . . and Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people.”

In the Hebrew language there is a play on words regarding the English word that is translated, “purpose.” The purpose or the occasion was for all the people to hear the Word of the Lord. This is clearly seen in the overall context as Ezra’s purpose was to bring the “Book of the Law of Moses” (Nehemiah 8:1). Then Ezra and other men opened the book (8:5), and read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God, and gave the sense (preached). Everything about this occasion centered around the Word of the Lord. The Hebrew word translated, “purpose” is the word, “dabar”, and it can be translated occasion or purpose, but the main way it is translated over 800 times is “word.” The gathering of the congregation in Nehemiah 8 was for the purpose of the congregation hearing and understanding the Word. So, they built a platform for the purpose of the going forth of the Word.

Like those who “made the platform” in Nehemiah 8, many within our congregation, over the last several months, have been working diligently on remodeling the chapel. And the purpose for all the work on the chapel is for God to be glorified, as God’s Word goes forth from that building. On November 1st at 6:00 p.m., we will begin to fulfill that purpose in a very God-honoring way as several believers will be proclaiming the Word. They will be following the Lord in believer’s baptism. In the days to come, the Chapel will serve as a place for our congregation to meet for services, fellowship, special events and other God glorifying purposes. I believe November 1st will be the beginning of many God-glorifying opportunities for the Word to be proclaimed in the chapel. The chapel has been remodeled for this very purpose!

October 14, 2020

TheoFam: Grace Taught Homes

“Who Am I?” Approximately 6,000 years ago, I came into existence! I was a criteria used by God for forming the nations! I am used as a description of the church of Jesus Christ! I was designed by God, created by God, and have been used by God since day six of the creation week. I have been and continued to be under attack by Satan and this world’s system. People have tried to minimize and marginalize me. People have attempted to corrupt and change me from my original design. Yet by God’s grace and through His strength, I am still designed to bring glory to God! I am still a vital component of every nation and every church. I am still God’s design for raising a godly seed!
Wow! Whoever is the answer from those clues must be pretty important from God’s perspective and therefore ought to be from our perspective as well. Any guesses? The title of this article might have given you a clue. But the answer to the question, “who am I,” is the family. Last year, I introduced us to a unique term, “TheoFam.” The term, TheoFam, is an attempt to reclaim God’s design for our families. God designed the family to be a theological community; a place where God is known and made known. The family is designed to be a theological community! Yet, sadly in many homes to-day, God’s name is not even mentioned unless it is used as a curse word.

The New Testament speaks about three God-given institutions that have a governing influence in a believer’s life: Human Government (Romans 13), the church (1 Timothy 3), and the home (1 Timothy 3:4). All three are important. All three were de-signed by God. Yet the one that God created first (Genesis 2:2-25) and the one which was to be responsible for raising a godly seed (Malachi 2:15) was the family! When the Apostle Paul wrote letters to the churches, he often included specific instructions for various family relationships (Ephesians 5:22-6:4; Colossians 3:18-25). You see, the Lord has a vital concern for the family. And His Word teaches us how we ought to conduct our family relationships for the glory of God. Our homes are to be TheoFams; theological communities that are following the Lord so that He is known and made known in and through them.

But as our “Who Am I” game indicated, Satan and this world’s system continue to attack the family. They continue to try to change and corrupt the family from its original design. Therefore, we as believers must continue to remind ourselves of God’s design for the family and allow our homes to be taught by God’s grace and led by God’s grace. Starting Sunday, October 4th at 6:00 p.m., I will be bringing a series of messages entitled: “TheoFam: Grace Taught Homes,” as we resume our Sunday evening services. No matter your family situation, I would encourage you to come and to invite others to join you for these services!