Author: First Baptist Church

Lazarus and the Rich Man, November 2024

Luke 16 ends with a story from Jesus concerning the intermediate state, the situation between this embodiment on earth and the resurrection. Jesus tells of a rich man and a poor man, Lazarus. The destination of the rich man is Hades (NIV & Greek Text). Lazarus, having died also, is at Abraham’s side. Jesus’ descriptions of these places, separated by a chasm, are consistent with Greek and Hebrew cultural conceptions of death.

Hades is a place of torment and agony: a dry, hot, wasteland. Furthermore, those in Hades are aware of others. The rich man is aware of Lazarus, speaks to Abraham, and knows his brothers have not yet arrived in Hades. He has two requests. The first echoes the self-centered way he lived on earth. He requests a drop of cool water, not even enough to swallow. When his first request is denied, his second request shows some concern for others – even being evangelistic. He asks for a message of warning to his brothers about Hades. Further asking, that someone should rise from the dead to tell them. He insists they would believe that. What prevents the sending of water from Abraham to the rich man is a gigantic chasm, impassable, which separates the two groups of people. But ironically, his second request is in a way granted.

Asserted by Jesus, though in the mouth of Abraham, is that both of them are getting what they deserved or earned. The rich man who ignored the troubles of his neighbor was now receiving troubles. The poor man, presumed to also be a righteous person, was now receiving comfort. The circumstances of their souls is such that the rich man does not want his loved ones to be with him, and their repentance, a change of heart and life, is sought.

Even though the rich man’s second request was not exactly granted and Abraham rebuffs him saying the Scriptures are supremely sufficient, the message of warning is relayed anyway. The message of warning is not directed to his brothers, but generally given again by Jesus in Jerusalem and in the Gospels by Luke. But even more truly, Jesus rose from the dead, as the man requested, and his warning is being preached in every region of the world.

Maybe people you know will be more receptive to a message about their soul’s destination than this man’s brothers.

Pastor Dave

God’s Love, October 2024

On Wednesdays this Fall, HomeBuilders is focusing on words in God’s Word that speak of love or connect to the word Love. We are not just talking about romance, but most any deeper personal relationship: Family, Friends, Church, and, yes, God. These words communicate a part or principle of love.

Hesed is a well known word for covenantal love, often translated “loving-kindness” in the Old Testament. It is a love that is committed, benevolent, and often appears in the hard times. About half of the 286 times it is used in Scripture are in the Psalms. I guess it is worth singing about.

Hesed easily connects the ideas of religious covenant and marriage covenant. Both covenant relationships are made for life, founded in love, and strengthened by deep commitment. Both covenant relationships are tested by life’s ups and downs which provide many opportunities for “loving-kindness” to be shone. Throughout our first study, on Sept. 18th, we looked at several verses that speak of God’shesed. God’s loving-kindness is often called on in times of trouble. Moses called on God’s hesed when seeking forgiveness when the people wanted to return to Egypt. [Num. 14] When a servant went a long way to find a bride for Isaac, he called on God to show hesed to Abraham through a successful marriage for his son, Isaac. [Gen. 24:12]

God’s loving-kindness is on display in many ways, but something stood out to me as I was preparing for HomeBuilders. We can call on God and remind him of his great love for us. He loves us and wants to do good to us.

Our own relationships need to be filled with hesed. Kindness, mercy, benevolence goes a long way in keeping relationships healthy and whole. When you see your beloved in need, pour some loving-kindness their way. The person is overwhelmed, so hesed by taking a task off their plate. Maybe even do the extra nice thing “just because.” Many of us do these things automatically, but sometimes we may wonder if it matters to do the extra effort. It does. God, out of great love for us, watches over; guards; helps. We can call on him to show loving-kindness to us and our families. It is no extra effort for him.

God Bless,

Pastor Dave

 

The Lord is A Shelter, August 2024

Happy August FBC Family,

This past month I have been reflecting on how far my family has come over the past year. We have been part of the Rochester community for a year now and we are feeling connected more and more. The kids have been in school and made new friends, our stuff is out of the camper and the storage unit, and we are using every room in the house as we have finished the major changes.

The big storms of the last week have reminded me of where we were last year. We were in the camper at Plymouth Yogi Bear when a huge wind storm came through. The camper was in perfect alignment so that it was like driving down the highway. It was facing into the wind. The kids slept while the trailer rocked and shook. The walls of the camper vibrated with a strange intensity. In the morning, we went around the area collecting our tent, toys, and tarps. All of which the wind had tossed like leaves. This recent set of storms reminded me of how glad I am to be in a house with a basement. Our electricity was out until Tuesday evening, but we managed. The offers of help, from AC to showers, from church members was yet another reminder of how we are now a part of this loving and thoughtful church family.

       Psalm 91:1-2
      Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

The words “dwell” and “rest” are set here to compliment each other. Dwell is what we do now. We live under the protection of the Lord. It implies a permanent closeness to God: near to himself, near to his word. The verse contains a promise of future rest for those who dwell with The Lord. Rest from what? Rest from our enemies. Rest from our work. Rest from our troubles.

This world will have its share of storms. Wind and rain and danger that keep us up at night. However, The Lord is a strong and mighty tower, greater than any worldly danger. Though this life has frequent troubles, The Lord is a shelter in the storm and a place of rest when the storms are over.

Blessings,

Pastor Dave

A New Covenant, July 2024

As you know, we are in a longer sermon series through the book of First Samuel. Samuel has “retired” as the judge and leader of God’s people. Saul became the first king of Israel, yet he focused on his own glory and made God’s glory second place. Saul was rejected and David was selected as the next king, the anointed one. At the point when Saul is rejected as king, The Lord removes the Holy Spirit from Saul and then “an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.” (1 Sam. 16:14) Both of these actions are worth a deeper dive.

Throughout the Old Testament, the Old Covenant, the relationship between God and his people was based on works. Each had a series of responsibilities and if people didn’t abide by them it would result in the punishment and ultimately the de- parture of the Lord. We see this at work in the life of Saul. He did not abide by the rules of the kingship (Deut. 17:14-20) and so God removed His Spirit from Saul. This is an Old Testament, Old Covenant, problem. In the New Testament, under the New Covenant, we are under grace not works. While in the Old Testament the Holy Spirit departs because of the peoples evil behavior, under the New Covenant the Holy Spirit is an everlasting seal of salvation and eternal life.

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. – Eph. 1:13-14

In this way the New Covenant is different from the Old, and we enjoy what Calvin and others called “Eternal Security” or as others call it “once saved always saved”. Some additional verses about this include John 10:27-30, Eph. 1:7-8, Heb. 7:25, and Phil. 1:4-6.

The second part of Saul’s reign is marked by an evil temper and a spiritual tormentor. First Samuel 16:14, 15, 16, 23; 18:10 & 19:9 are some of the mentions of this spiritual tormentor of Saul. This is a very controversial topic, and I am avoiding it during this sermon series. Here are two of the best explanations in my view:
1 – Like Job, God removed his protections from Saul and let the devil test and bother him. And 18:10 refers to false prophecy from the devil with Saul’s behavior being demonic. OR
2 – It was in fact the Holy Spirit (removed as an anointing of kingship but still near) trying to bring about Saul’s repentance.

And 18:10 refers to true divine prophecy, but Saul was so angered by the truth that he lashed out.
Though the complexity of the discussion is interesting, it is not an issue we face today in the church. Because of the Holy Spirit’s new role under grace (resulting in eternal security) we do not face the prospect of the Holy Spirit being taken away. He is the permanent and eternal seal marking us for salvation and eternal life. Praise the Lord.

Grace to you and yours from the Lord Jesus Christ,

Pastor Dave