Welcome...."W.T."

Meet the newest member of the Hardecker household: William Tyndale Hardecker.  He was born on Sept. 14, 2010 (yesterday) - 8.2 lbs. and 18.5 inches.  Momma Marcia is doing fine.  Pray that she recovers well and fast.  We are praising God for a healthy baby and mother.

Hardecker family update

William Tyndale (a.k.a. "W.T.") is scheduled for a Cesarean delivery on Sept. 14, Tues.  Marcia is great with child.  I am excited and trusting God for a safe delivery and a healthy mother and child.  I trust that as you read this, you will remember us in prayer.  Have a wonderful "Lord's Day" tomorrow.

"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." (Nahum 1:7)

How to Minister to the Minister(s)

1. Know Them.

    "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;" (1Thessalonians 5:12)

• Are you familiar with your pastors?
  
• Do you know their real needs?
  
• Are you indifferent towards their needs?
  
• Are you a friend to them?
  

2. Esteem Them.

    "And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves." (1Thessalonians 5:13)

• Do you view them with respect?
  
• Do you appreciate them or take them for granted?
  
• Do you genuinely love them, or are you a fake?
  

3. Remember Them.

    "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation." (Hebrews 13:7)

• Do you keep them in mind?
  
• Do you remember their "special days?"
  
• Do you jot them a thank you card, or send them a birthday card?
  

4. Follow their faith.

    "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation." (Hebrews 13:7)

• Are you as serious about the ministry as your pastor is serious about his ministry?
  
• Are you as faithful to prayer and Bible study as your pastor is to his?
  
• Do you strive to follow their example?
  

5. Consider the end of their conversation.

    "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation." (Hebrews 13:7)

• Do you observe how they live, their mannerisms, behavior, and how they set priorities?
  
• Do you strive to pattern your life after their life of faith and service?
  

6. Obey Them.

    "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." (Hebrews 13:17)

• Do you follow their counsel?
  
• Are you obedient to their teaching, preaching, and leading?
  
• This is perhaps the best way to minister to them. After all, what good is teaching when there is no learning?
  

7. Pray for Them.

    "Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly." (Hebrews 13:18)

• Do you pray for them?
  
• Do you ask God for His power or wisdom and strength for them?
  

8. Greet Them.

    "Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you." (Hebrews 13:24)

• Talk to them. Always be on speaking terms with your spiritual leaders.
  
• Say "hi" and/or "hello." Don't ever ignore them and what they preach about.
  

A blessed thought from Matthew Henry

No doubt one of the greatest of the commentators of the Scriptures is Matthew Henry (1662-1714).  He began working on his commentary on Nov. of 1704, and ten years later, by the time of his death, he was able to go as far as the book of Acts. The rest (Romans-Revelation) were completed by other ministers and edited by George Burder and John Hughes in 1811.

The main thrust of his commentary seems to be more devotional rather than critical, not that he doesn’t employ some form of criticism or another – but his commentary is unencumbered by such observation and methodology.  He delivers great thoughts that most certainly comes from a heart and mind that is fixed on the Lord and His Word.

As I was reading Henry this morning on Gen. 3:17-19, here is what he said:

“How admirably the satisfaction our Lord Jesus made by his death and sufferings answered to the sentence here passed upon our first parents.  (1.)  Did travailing pains come in with sin?  We read of the travail of Christ’s soul (Isa. 53:11); and the pains of death he was held by are called odinai (Acts 2:24), the pains of a woman in travail.  (2.)  Did subjection come with sin?  Christ was made under the law, Gal. 4:4.  (3.)  Did the curse come in with sin?  Christ was made a curse for us, died a cursed death, Gal. 3:13.  (4.)  Did thorns come in with sin?  He was crowned with thorns for us.  (5.)  Did sweat come in with sin?  He for us did sweat as it were great drops of blood.  (6.)  Did sorrow come in with sin?  He was a man of sorrows, his soul was, in his agony, exceedingly sorrowful.  (7.)  Did death come in with sin?  He became obedient unto death.  This is the plaster as wide as the wound.  Blessed be God for Jesus Christ!”

Now, after reading something like that, I say, wow that was a good read from Matthew Henry.  And somehow in my heart, a prayer flies to Heaven, and with words of gratitude placed upon the Heavenly throne of God, “Amen! Father, Blessed be God for our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Names of God (The Lord of hosts)

“Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.” (Psalm 24:10)

A closer look:

Host – army or company.

The word “Sabaoth” is transliterated from the Hebrew word “tsebaoth,” which means armies, and is also translated “hosts.”  We find this title “Lord of hosts” abundantly in the Old Testament, and twice in the New Testament (as “Lord of Sabaoth”) in Romans 9:29 and James 5:4.  The word “hosts” may refer to three separate items:  nature (Genesis 2:1; 2 Kings 21:3; Joel  2:15), or angels (1 Kings 22:19; Psalm 34:7; 103:21; Luke 2:13), and armies (2 Samuel 8:16; Revelations 9:14).  The name “Lord of Sabaoth” should not be confused with the name “Lord of the Sabbath.”  The name Lord of hosts teaches us that God is a fighter who will go to war on our behalf.  He will fight for us (Isaiah 31:4).  His name Lord of Sabaoth suggests two things:

1.  He is in control over all things (all the hosts of Heaven and Earth).

2.  He alone is worthy of worship, and not the hosts of which He created.  Nehemiah 9:6 says:  “Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.”

Sunday School Bus and Jr. Church

Who: Children ages 4 and up, and Teens.
Time:  Sunday School starts at 9:30 a.m. and Jr. Church starts at 10:30 a.m.
Where:  Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Brogue, PA (across from the Chanceford Township Building).

Miscellaneous:
1.  Bus ride is free but limited to the Red Lion area.
2.  Contact person is Pastor Bill at 717-927-9227 ext. 3. 

Vacation Bible School in Brogue, PA

Register here to be a part of Mt. Zion Baptist Church's 2010 VBS.

WHEN: July 19-23 (w/ closing program:  July 25, Sun. at 6:30 p.m.)
WHERE: MZBC Annex Building (in the woods, behind the church auditorium)
TIME: 9-11:30 a.m. daily

Miscellaneous:
1.  Bus ride is available to those living in the Red Lion area.
2.  Call 717-927-9227 ext. 3 for more information please check out our church website.
3.  Snacks, crafts, and registrations are FREE.
4.  Every child 4 and up, with parental and/or guardian permission, is welcome to participate.

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.

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.

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.

Prayer and God the Son (part 2)

“For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” (Eph. 2:18)

Access unto the Father is secured unto us solely on the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ.  When we pray, we address our petitions to the Father in Jesus’ name.  John 14:13-14 says this: “(13) And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  (14) If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”  There is no other name given, no other basis or foundation whereby God could answer our prayers.  Our own name is insufficient.  All our merits or good works are as “filthy rags.”  Had it not been for the saving work of the Lord Jesus, we would have no way of approaching God.  And so we gladly pray in His name.  We understand that if we are to gain any blessing or favor from God the Father it will be through His only begotten and beloved Son.  Some may think, “great! I’ll just ask for a million dollars, and pray that in Jesus’ name.”  This is a gross misunderstanding about the essence of prayer.  When we pray, we ask God for things, not to seek our own glory, but to seek His glory.  The Bible clearly says: “that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”  This tells us that God’s glory is the main concern of prayer, and it should be in ours as well.  Invoking the name of the Lord Jesus as an attachment to a faulty prayer is worthless and blasphemous at best.  The best rule of thumb in prayer is that we ask in faith (James 1:6), we ask as we seek to please Him (1 John 5:14) and we ask in Jesus’ name (which means for His sake or through Him) because we know that the Lord Jesus alone is well pleasing unto God (John 14:6; Matt. 3:17; 17:5; Lk. 3:22; 2 Pet. 1:17).   

Prayer and God the Father (part 1)

“For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” (Eph. 2:18)

A closer look:

Him – in this verse, referring to the Lord Jesus (see v.13)

When we pray, we address God the Father.  He is who we pray to.  In Matt. 6:6 the Lord Jesus taught the importance of private prayer.  Within that instruction He told them to “pray to thy Father.”  In verse 8 the Father already knows our needs.  When the Lord Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He instructed them (and in doing so, He instructs us as well) to pray to “our Father” (Mat. 6:9; Lk. 11:2).  In other passages, He is referred to as our “heavenly Father” (ex. Matt. 6:32).  In Matt. 7:4, God the Father gives good things to those that ask Him.  The Lord Jesus Himself prayed to the Father (e.g. Matt. 11:25-26; Matt. 26:42).  It isn’t wrong to pray to Jesus.  There are many examples of people who approached the Lord Jesus and ask Him for things.  Stephen prayed to the Lord Jesus in Acts 7:59.  I wouldn’t say that it is wrong to pray to the Holy Spirit, although one would be hard pressed to find a clear Scriptural example of such.  What we do have in the Bible is a preponderance of example and teaching to address our prayers to God the Father.

 

We go to God the Father and ask because the Bible teaches us to view the Father as the Source and Giver.  James 1:17 puts it this way: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”    

The Names of God (Olam)

“And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.” (Gen. 21:33)

A closer look:

Everlasting – eternal, always, continuance, and perpetual

There is a famous adage that says, “All good things must come to an end.”  This concept of course is flawed thinking.  God is everlasting.  The Psalmist says, “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting…” (Ps. 41:13).  He is from everlasting to everlasting (Ps. 90:2).  Because God is everlasting, He grants everlasting things to us.  To His children, He grants His perpetual aid (see Deut. 33:27; Is. 26:4).  To repentant sinners, He grants “everlasting life” (John 3:16; 5:24; 6:47).  His name “Everlasting God” suggests two things about Him:

1.  He is infinite in nature.

2.  He is able to preserve all that He has created.     

The Names of God (Shaddai)

“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” (Gen. 17:1)

A closer look:

The Almighty God – (El Shaddai or God Almighty) – meaning all sufficient, and Almighty

The name of God “Shaddai” is that which was revealed to and prominently used by the patriarchs Abraham (Gen. 17:1), Isaac (Gen. 28:3), and Jacob (Gen. 43:14).  God is able to grant Abraham the promise of seed despite his age, because He is Almighty.  The book of Job teaches us several divine works and character attributed to God Almighty:  He chastens men (Job 5:17), He hears prayers (Job 8:5), He is ineffable (Job 11:7), He is unconquerable (Job 15:25), He punishes the wicked (Job 21:20), He restores the repentant (Job 22:23), He grants understanding (Job 32:8) and life (Job 33:4).  His name “Shaddai” suggests two things:

1.  His power (to punish or destroy).  What a fearful thing it is to fall under the wrath of Almighty God! (see Is. 13:6)

2.  His providence (to nourish and establish).  What a wonderful thing it is to find grace in the eyes of God Almighty! (see Rev. 1:8)

The Names of God (Elyon)

“(18) And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.  (19)  And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:  (20)  And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.  (21)  And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.  (22)  And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,” (Gen. 14:18-22)

A closer look:

Most High God – Elyon (literally, God most high) signifies His exalted and supreme position.

It is the occasion of the meeting between Abram and Melchizedek that we find for the first time the name “the Most High God.”  His name “Most High God” suggests His supremacy over all.  He is the highest, the exalted or supreme one.  Angels and demons refer to God as the “Highest” or the “Most High” (Lk. 2:14; Mk. 5:7).  Our prayers ought to immediately draw our mind and heart to recognize that God is the Most High (Ps. 7:17; 83:18; Matt. 6:9).  He is supreme, not us.  His will is the main thing, not ours.  His name “Elyon” suggests two things:

1.  His habitation is above all. (Deut. 26:15; Isa. 57:15; Psalm 83:18)

2.  His position is superior and sovereign over all.

The Names of God (El)

“Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.” (Isa. 31:3)

A closer look:

God – El (the singular form of the plural “Elim”) means “mighty”

Holpen – helped

“El” is the oldest name for God.  The term El was also used to reference false gods, or even heros, but we use this name to designate the only true and living God, the God of the Bible.  Daniel 11:36 recognizes God this way: “the God (El) of gods…”  While the history of the name El is obscure, His self-disclosure as El is not obscure.  Often the Old Testament uses El as a prefix;  for example, in Gen. 33:20 He is called “Elelohe-Israel” (or God, the God of Israel) in order to differentiate God from that which is worshipped by others as false gods.  Sometimes El is used as a suffix;  for instance,  in Isa. 7:14 the Lord Jesus is called “Immanuel” (literally “with us is God” – Barnes, or commonly “God with us”).  His name “El” suggests two things:

1.  His strength, might and or power.  His power is over all of nature and beings.

2.  His uniqueness among all that is.  He is transcendent from everything and everyone.

The Names of God (Elohim)

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen. 1:1)

A closer look:
God – Elohim (the plural form of the singular name Eloah).

The Bible goes no further in proving the existence of God than by simply declaring the fact that God (Who was already in existence prior to the beginning of time) created everything. God’s name in the Hebrew is “Elohim.” Elohim is a plural noun, and can be translated “gods” (ex. Psalm 82:1, 6). When it is referring to the God of the Bible, it is properly translated in the singular “God.” The name God (Elohim) is the name that is most frequently used in the Old Testament. The term is taken from the root word “El” meaning strength or mighty. The Arabic equivalent being “Allah.” His name Elohim suggests three things:

1. His strength or might - He is the Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of all.

2. The plurality of persons within the Godhead - We have in the name “Elohim” an intimation of the Triune God, as each person was directly involved in Creation.

A. God the Father – Gen. 1:26
B. God the Son – John 1:1-2; Col. 1:16
C. God the Holy Spirit – Gen. 1:2; Job 33:4

3. The plurality of majesty - This is perhaps the most direct application to the uni-plural name of God. When we think of God, He is so immense, so ineffable, that within His divine essence is a vast, and incomprehensible array of attributes, and power that our finite minds cannot truly comprehend. Had He not reveal Himself, we would have no way of knowing Him.

The Shepherd's Retreat

We are excited to announce the fruition of a ministry to IFB pastors in our locale (i.e. Southeastern PA).  Please contact us if you are interested in attending “The Shepherd’s Retreat” by calling us at 717-927-9227 ext. 3 or you may email me at pastorbill-at-mtziononline-dot-org (I spelled it out in order to avoid spam).  We certainly look forward to hearing from you.

You can read more about the Shepherd’s Retreat on our blog: http://www.mzbcsr.wordpress.com.

Doctrine and Practice

"This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." (Titus 3:8)

A closer look:
faithful - trustworthy, sure, or true
affirm - thoroughly confirm by word through preaching or speaking
careful - to exercise thought
maintain - practice

Good works stem from good doctrine. Daily reading and studying His Word, listening to the preaching of His Word at church, and sharing Bible principles and verses in conversation exposes us as believers to good doctrine. When sound doctrine is heeded, good works are the end result.