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!

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 8, 2019

When Global Warming Strikes

No matter where you turn, it is likely you will hear someone say something about global warming or climate change. This subject has infiltrated our public education system, it has dominated political events, and it
frequently is promoted through news outlets. Some will make doomsday predictions, while others claim that the science does not support the alarming cries. How is anyone to know what to believe about what is going to happen to the earth? For the Christian, our final authority is the Word of God. So what does the Bible say about a theology of the
earth?

We don’t have to read too far in the Scriptures to see the first reference to the earth. Genesis 1:1 states, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Truth #1 is that God created the earth. An important sub-point is that all things God created are designed to bring glory to God. Truth
#2 is described in Genesis 6-8; that God destroyed the earth by a worldwide flood. Genesis 7:17-20 makes it clear that this was not a local flood, but a worldwide flood that covered the mountains and every high hill under
the whole heaven.

Both of the truths from Genesis concerning the earth also teach us something about God. God is the Creator of all things and therefore He is to be worshipped. God is also the judge. Therefore, one’s view of the
earth’s history will also be seen in one’s theology of God. Romans 1:18-25 describes man suppressing the truth in his unrighteous state. It is not that man doesn’t know the truth of who God is, because God has shown it to them in the creation. But unrighteous man changes the truth of God into a lie and worships and serves the creature rather than
the Creator. 2 Peter 3 describes how false teachers willingly forget that God destroyed the world by a flood.

Not only does the Bible begin in Genesis talking about the earth, but it concludes in Revelation by also talking about the earth. In Revelation 13, during the future 7-year tribulation period when the Anti-Christ has gained political control over all the earth, he will demand that people worship him. The Anti-Christ will have a press secretary called the “False Prophet,” and the False Prophet will not only cause the people who dwell on the earth to worship the Anti-Christ, but he will also cause the earth to worship the Anti-Christ (13:12). The false worship system of man will reach its climax during this period. A key component of it will be that earth, which is designed to bring glory to its Creator, will become part of a political agenda that worships a man.

Revelation also tells us what is going to happen to this earth after Christ returns to the earth and rules and reigns on the earth for a thousand years. In Revelation 21, John saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first
heaven and the first earth had passed away. 2 Peter 3 provides the details for how this earth will pass away. This time it won’t be by water but by fire. The Lord is going to judge the earth again for its rebellion against its Creator. Global warming will strike. But the cause will not be man, but rather our Creator God as He judges this world.

So when you hear the chatter about global warming or climate change, use it to testify of our Creator God who is coming to judge the earth. Warn them of the time when global warming will truly strike when He destroys the
earth by fire. Share with them the good news of how Jesus Christ came to earth the first time to die for our sins.

May 14, 2019

The Resurrection & Prayer

On the first day of the week, nearly 2,000 years ago the Lord Jesus Christ rose victoriously from the grave. Just a few short days ago, we at First Baptist Church of Ham-burg had a resurrection celebration as we shared a wonderful meal and then participated together in a joyful worship service. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the corner-stone of the gospel and without it everything falls apart. For the church of Jesus Christ, the resurrection impacts everything!

One specific area that the resurrection ought to impact the church is how we pray for one another. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus and he told them his prayer request for them. How are you praying for your brothers and sisters in Christ? That can be a convicting question. Maybe you haven’t been praying for your church family. Maybe you have been praying some selfish requests. No matter how you answer that question, consider the apostle Paul’s request for the church at Ephesus: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and rev-elation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened” (Ephesians 1:17-18a).

In summary, Paul’s request for the church is that they would know who they are in Jesus Christ. Then, Paul provides three specific areas in which the believers would know Jesus Christ. First, that they would know the hope of His calling (vs. 18b). Second, that they would know what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (vs. 18c). And then he concludes with these words, “and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places” (vs. 19). Did you catch that last request? The resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead is the same power that is at work in us who believe. And Paul wants the church to have their eyes open to that power. He wants them to know Christ and His resurrection power in their lives.

This becomes vitally important when we get to the practical section of Ephesians. We are called to put off the old man and put on the new. This is not something we can do in our own strength, but only through the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. The book concludes with this admonition, “Finally my brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10).” The resurrection of Jesus Christ declares the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe. In His power we as believers find our strength to stand and fight temptation.

So even though our wonderful Resurrection Day celebration is behind us for 2019, remember that for the believer it is far more than a day to celebrate. The resurrection of Jesus Christ impacts everything, including how we pray for one another. The resurrection is a cornerstone doctrine for the church; prayer is a vital discipline for the church. And in Ephesians 1, prayer and the resurrection go together. So when you pray for yourself, your family and your brothers and sisters in Christ, make it your request that they will know Christ and the power of His resurrection.