December 30, 2020

An Introduction to God

What do you believe about God? It has been said that what a person believes about God is the most important thing about a person. Now, if God never revealed Himself to us we would all be in trouble. But the good news is God has made Himself known to us. And a primary way to know what to believe about God is through His Word. The most times the term, “God,” is used in a chapter of Scripture or in a single psalm is thirty-two times, and that happens twice. Once is in Psalm 68 and the other is the introduction to the Bible, Genesis 1.

Genesis 1 is our introduction to God and it declares some foundational truths concerning God. We rightfully think of Genesis 1 as the account of God creating the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. But the main verb associated with God in Genesis 1 is that of God speaking. Ten times we read the phrase “God said”(vs. 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 29). This is good news. God speaks! God communicates! God makes Himself known. This becomes even better news when we see another repeated phrase in Genesis 1, “and it was so”(vs. 7, 9, 11, 15, 24, 30). What God says is reality and it is powerful. Then God said, “Let there be light; and there was light (vs. 3). Wow! Let the power of God’s Word sink in! He speaks and it happens! What a blessing for us to have the true and powerful Word of God to guide us as we enter a New Year!

But there is another repeated phrase that ought to reinforce God’s Word to be the foundation for life in 2021: “And it was good” (vs. 4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). Because God is a good God, His Word is good. Do you want to know what is good in 2021? God has spoken! And His Word is not only powerful and real, but it also is good!

As we enter this New Year, may God’s introduction in Genesis 1 encourage us to know Him and trust Him more. Furthermore, may it spur us on to be in God’s Word on a regular basis. Two goals that I would encourage all of us to consider for this next year. First, set a Scripture reading goal. Some maybe could read through the entire Bible for the very first time. A younger reader might want to focus on several books of the Bible or the New Testament. Remember, God’s Word is powerful and it is good and it will teach you about God! Second, set a sermon listening goal. A primary way that God’s Word goes forth today is through the preaching and teaching ministries of the church. Here at First Baptist Church of Hamburg, our Wednesday night Bible Classes will resume on January 13th at 7:00 p.m. And on Sunday, January 24, we will begin two new sermon series; “In The Beginning: Foundations For Living in God’s World” from the book of Genesis at 10:30 a.m. and “That You May Know Him: The Miracles of Jesus,” an in depth look at the Christ’s miracles recorded in Luke’s Gospel.” at 6:00 p.m.

May we grow in the grace and knowledge of our God and Savior Jesus Christ in 2021, as we know Him through the powerful and good Word of God.

December 2, 2020

Viewing Christmas through the Lens of Revelation

What happens when our expectations are high, but then they are not realized? Consider a child who has high hopes to receive a certain gift, only to be disappointed when the gift is opened. When you look at the prophecies of the Old Testament regarding the coming of Jesus Christ, one would rightfully expect a King who would rule the nations. For example, Isaiah 9:6-7 declares, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder, and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” The book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ in referencing the birth of Christ, alludes to this high expectation of Jesus ruling the nations. Revelation 12:5 states, “She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.” If all we had was this verse, then viewing Christmas through the lens of Revelation would be a big disappointment. Jesus who was to rule the nations, didn’t fulfill that when He came to earth the first time. And now Jesus has been caught up to His throne.

Thankfully we have more than this one verse in Revelation regarding Christ’s first coming. And there are two powerful perspectives that the final book of the Scriptures encourage us with as we celebrate Christ’s first coming. First, the purpose of Christ’s first come was to be a sacrificial lamb. Just because Christ didn’t rule the nations during His first coming doesn’t mean that His first coming was without a purpose. The primary description of Jesus Christ in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God. Twenty-nine times in The Revelation the word “lamb” is used to describe Christ. The reason why Jesus came to the earth nearly 2,000 years ago was to give His life as the sacrificial lamb, a ransom for many. Revelation 5:9 describes the Lamb as the one who has “redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” As you celebrate Christmas this year remember that the reason Jesus Christ came into the world was to seek and save that which was lost. He came as the Lamb of God to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins!

The other perspective that we ought to have as we celebrate Christmas is that Jesus Christ still has some unfinished business to fulfill. Just because Christ didn’t rule all nations with a rod of iron at His first coming doesn’t mean that He will not do that. Revelation 19, which is a climax chapter in the book, shows Jesus Christ being revealed as He comes again to this earth. On His thigh and on His robe the name, “KING of KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” will be written and He Himself will rule the nations with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:15-16). As we celebrate Christmas, our perspective is to be looking forward to the day when Christ will come again to this earth and we will rule and reign with Him! “The Child who was born was to rule all nations” (Revelation 12:5). Don’t be disappointed because that didn’t happen when He came the first time, instead keep your expectations high. It is true He is coming again and He will rule all nations! Have a blessed Christmas worshiping Christ the Lamb and the coming King of kings and Lord of lords!