Friday, May 14, 2010

Hiatus

There are a lot of activities going on for now:
1.  We have Revival Week at our church. (May 16-21)
2.  I get to travel and preach for a church anniversary at Cornerstone Baptist Church, Chicago, IL. (May 22-23)
3.  Mt. Zion Baptist Youth Camp (June 28-July 2)
4.  Vacation Bible School (July 19-23) - which btw, if you plan to attend, or you would like more information please register at the appropriate slot  here (where it says "Online Registrations")

I do not know if it is because of the new template that I am having issues with blogging.  I am extremely upset at some kind of setting or something that is just messed up!  When I have time to return to simplicity, I will commence to blogging more.  In the mean time - I am going on a "spring" break from the blog world.  I will attempt to simplify my blog.  I use to copy and paste my articles from Microsoft Word, and now when I click to publish it, the text becomes scattered, and I end up spending a lot of time trying to clean it up.  It is frustrating and unnecessary.  Something is wrong, and I have no time (at this time) to address the issue.

On a personal note:  Marcia and I are expecting a boy (our first child), Lord willing, late in Sept.  We already have a name picked out:  "William Tyndale Hardecker."  Pray for Marcia and the baby, and while you are at it, you might as well pray for me too.

Believer's Baptism (Matthew 3:16-17)

“[v.16] And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: [v.17] And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:16-17)

1. The Biblical mode of baptism is immersion.

2. The believer who submitted to baptism was always brought to the waters and not the other way around.
      a. Matt. 3:6a “And where baptized of him in Jordan…”
      b. Mk. 1:5b “…and where all baptized of him in the river Jordan…”
      c. Jn. 3:23a “And John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there
           was much water there.”
      d. Acts 8:36 “…See, here is water:”
      e. Acts 8:38 “into the water…”

3. The Trinity revealed.
       a. God the Father is revealed as “a voice from Heaven.”
       b. God the Son is fulfilling His Father’s will in getting baptized.
       c. God the Holy Spirit descends “like a dove.”

4. Lessons from the text:
       a. God the Father has something to say: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I
am well pleased.” The Lord Jesus Christ is always pleasing God. Everyone who takes up the name of Christ(i.e. Christians) should follow His example, and in doing so become well pleasing unto the Father. The obedience demonstrated in baptism is pleasing to God.

       b. The Holy Spirit is said to be “like a dove.” Perhaps in a form of a dove, but more importantly, the Holy Spirit is sensitive and can easily be quenched or grieved. We must be sensitive not to hinder His work in our lives.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Prayer and God the Spirit (part 3)





“For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” (Eph. 2:18)
The Holy Spirit is our divine Comforter (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7).  He is the one who comes along side us in order to aid or support us.  M.R. Vincent (in his Word-studies in the New Testament) suggests that the word Comforter means more than a consoler and that the Latin cum (with) forte (strength)  is the clearer sense, hence the Holy Spirit is He who comes along to strengthen us.  We cannot function properly in the ministry if we do not have the special aid of the Holy Spirit.  We cannot pray properly unto the Father without the Holy Spirit for He is the “Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:15).  When we pray, we should be conscious of the special ministry of the Spirit in prayer, Romans 8:26 – “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”  I often think how miserable it would be to do ministry work if it weren’t for the wisdom and strength and convicting element of the Holy Spirit.  We desire the influence and assistance of the Spirit.  We are thankful to God for His promise fulfilled in sending us His Holy Spirit.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Congratulations to Cornerstone Baptist Church

Last Sunday (May 2, 2010) marked the beginning of a new Independent Baptist church, Cornerstone Baptist Church in Stratford, Ontario.  This small congregation is under the leadership of Pastor Clint Robinson.  Pray for souls to be saved, wisdom and strength for the Robinson family, and the spiritual growth of some of their prospects.