Christ, The Greatest Gift of All

Pastor Robert Hammond

Over the years, I have read innumerable Christmastime articles that reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.  Predictably,  they contend that Christmas is less about receiving gifts and more about time for family, reflection, and, of course, for giving gifts. 

That all sounds good.  But, I really like to receive gifts.  

One Christmas season, I was invited to share the story of the best gift that I ever received.  A friend invited me to share my story with a woman in his family who has been fighting a terminal illness.   I quickly accepted the invitation to visit her at a local nursing home.

When I entered her room, I introduced myself and prayed with her. Then, I began telling her the story of the most wonderful gift that I had ever received.

I told her how, when I was a boy, a man took a book and told me the story of a Father who understood the importance of giving like no one else.  The man described a Father who was so concerned for others that he was willing to send his only son to die for them. 

I told her how that Father’s gift was motivated by unfathomable love.  And I told her that his son shared that love so perfectly that he was willing to shed his blood and to die for me. 

Puzzled, the women in the hospital bed turned away.  And then she turned back toward me. 

I explained that the book that was read to me was the Bible. And I explained that Father who was described to me is God the Father.   I continued that the son who was offered by his own Father is the long-prophesied Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

I explained that God the Father sent his son both to be born of a virgin in Bethlehem and to die on the cross at Calvary – exactly as had been prophesied in the Scriptures.  And I told her why he did that:  According the Bible, I am a sinner.  Because of that, I deserve death – eternal separation from God.  But, according to the Bible, “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

I told her that I had received that gift and I explained how she might receive it, too.  I explained that the Bible teaches that our good works aren’t good enough to earn forgiveness.

I told her how Jesus said, “ye must be born again.”   And I told her that Peter, the Apostle, said, “Repent (turn away from sin) … and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” I explained that Salvation is a free gift that must simply be received by turning away from sin and by placing one’s faith in Christ. 

That night, she too decided to receive the greatest gift that I have ever received – the gift of eternal salvation.  She prayed and received Christ as her Savior. Because of her decision to receive Christ, she may know with certainty that, whenever her battle with illness ends, she will be in Heaven with her Savior.  That’s a great Christmas gift indeed.

Have you received the greatest gift of all – the Lord Jesus Christ?    

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Should a Christian Consider Gender Reassignment?

Note: This article is offered in love to those who are struggling with this question.

The Bible teaches us that God’s design for humanity is intentional and good. In Genesis 1:27, we read, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” This passage tells us that gender is not a random characteristic but a purposeful gift from God. God creates every person as either male or female, reflecting both his will and perfect design.

When someone seeks to change their gender, they are, in effect, rejecting God’s design and plan for their life. Isaiah 45:9 warns us about questioning God’s wisdom in creation: “Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou?” God lovingly forms each person, and He does so without mistake. Our role, then, is to trust and submit to his perfect will.

The issue of gender reassignment also raises concerns about identity. As Christians, our identity should not be rooted in our feelings or societal pressures but in Christ. Galatians 2:20 reminds us, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” When we are in Christ, we trust him to define who we are. By contrast, pursuing gender reassignment reflects a rejection of God’s authority and the sufficiency of our identity in Christ.

Moreover, the Bible is clear that our bodies are not our own to modify as we see fit. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 teaches, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” To alter one’s body in a way that defies God’s created order dishonors the temple he has entrusted to us.

The good news is that God offers hope and healing to all who are struggling with issues of identity, including gender dysphoria. He calls us to find our peace and purpose in him. Psalm 139:14 reminds us, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” For those in Christ, theanswer is not in changing who God made us to be but in trusting him to guide us through our struggles with his grace and truth.

If you are wrestling with questions about your identity, know that God loves you and has a plan for your life that is better than anything you could imagine. Turn to him in prayer. Read his words. As you do, you will find the peace and purpose that only he can provide.

“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5).

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How Should Christians View Reports of UFOs

Pastor Robert Hammond. June 2021 (Updated December 27, 2024)

A disclaimer: My desire is to be obedient to avoid “foolish questions” (Titus 3:9) and “profane and vain babblings” (1Ti 6:20).  That said, it is wise to be prepared to give biblical answers to legitimate questions regarding this topic. 

Background:  In December 2024, residents of New Jersey and other states reported seeing large number of drones or drone-like craft in the night sky. Three years earlier, in June 2021, the Pentagon released a report regarding more than 100 sightings of so-called “unexplained aerial phenomena.” Earlier that year, several related videos were published by major media outlets.  Government officials reportedly verified the authenticity of some of these videos.

What Are Some Possible Explanations for Unexplained Aerial Phenomena (aka UFOs)?

  1. Natural phenomena.  Some of the observations may be explained by natural atmospheric phenomena.  Certain observations might be explained by so-called parallax — the optical effect whereby the size, position or speed of an object appears to differ when viewed from different positions, e.g. through the viewfinder and the lens of a camera.

  2. Undisclosed domestic or foreign military technology. Certain observations might be explained by undisclosed foreign or domestic technology — including rapidly-developing drone technology. However, a number of military and governmental officials have suggested that the apparent capabilities of the vehicles recorded in some videos are inconsistent with any known technology. In a May 2021 CNN interview, Sean Cahil, a retired US Navy Chief Master-at-Arms stated that it would likely require “between 100 and 1,000 years” for known U.S. technology to achieve the performance characteristics observed in some of the more extraordinary videos. 

  3. Foreign or domestic activity designed to deceive adversaries. It is possible that a government desires to create the illusion of possessing technology that is superior to its adversaries. This effort might be deployed as a strategy to deter an attack.

  4. Extraterrestrial Technology.  Some have argued that the recent videos serve as evidence of alien life. It is true that the Bible does not explicitly rule-out the possibility of life existing elsewhere in God’s creation. However, a variety of biblical revelations arguably render alien life extremely unlikely. For example, the Genesis account of creation gives special priority to the earth — as having been created first — and arguably placed at the center of God’s creation.  Further, we must note that God has not explicitly revealed the existence of extraterrestrial life in the Bible.

  5. Demonic Activity.  Demons have a demonstrable interest in mocking the LORD, his nature and his program of future events. Given Satan’s clear interest in mocking the nature of God and various aspects of his echatalogical program, we would not be surprised to observe demonic activity aimed at mocking the rapture by creating an illusion of alien spacecraft (which would provide a basis for the future claim of mass alien abduction). 

And so it is biblically plausible that at least some of the unexplained aerial phenomena are, in fact, visible manifestations of demonic activity, i.e. demons may be working to create the illusion of highly-capable aircraft that are operated by extraterrestrial beings.  In the view of some theologians, these craft are real only in the sense that demons are working supernaturally to create the illusion that aliens and alien spacecraft are real. It is conceivable that the LORD may allow this as a component of the “strong delusion” that he will send upon those who reject Christ (2 Thes. 2:11).

Additional biblical observations that are consistent with the theory that some UFO sightings may be demonic in nature:

  1. If Ephesians 2:2 may be understood literally, the LORD is currently permitting demons to act with a degree of power in the atmosphere:

    1. Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

  2. Satan has an interest in deceiving the “whole world.”

    1. Re 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

  3. The theory of demonic activity is consistent with the demonic deceit, “signs and lying wonder” and “strong delusion” that is prophesied to occur in the future Tribulation Period:

    1. Mt 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

    2. 2Th 2:9 (Regarding the Antichrist) Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 

    3. Broad belief in aliens and alien spacecraft would provide the antichrist with an explanation for the rapture, i.e. the mass disappearance of believers might be explained as a mass abduction by aliens.  This would also serve a demonic interest in mocking the rapture - at which time we will “meet the Lord in the air” rather than aliens or demons!

How should Christians respond to this topic?

  1. Bear in mind that we may not fully-understand this topic until we are home with the LORD;

  2. Remember that there’s no revelation regarding UFOs or alien life that will change the truth of Scripture. Our God is the “LORD God of Truth” (Psalm 31:5). And his “truth endureth to all generations” (Psalm 100:5).

  3. Remember that we are in a spiritual battle with an enemy who desires to deceive and to distract:

    • (Ephesians 6:12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

    • (1 Peter 5:8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith...

  4. Refuse to be distracted. Rather than allowing distractions to occupy our minds, choose to remain focused on the truth that is revealed in Scripture.  So-called UFOs may be a conspiracy of governmental, demonic or other origin. Or they may be explained by a natural phenomena that is terrestrial in nature.  As in the case of other possible conspiracies, we won’t likely know the truth until we are home with the LORD!

  5. Refuse to devote inordinate time to this topic.  We are called to avoid “profane and vain babblings” (1Ti 6:20).  And we are called to give Christ the preeminence (Col 1:18).

  6. Refuse to allow this issue to cause strife between believers

    • (Proverbs 17:14) The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. 

    • (Proverbs 26:17) He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

  7. Remain focused on our God-given ministry and carrying-out the Great Commission. There’s little doubt that Satan desires to distract us from Christ, our ministry and the Great Commission.

  8. Pray that the current attention to this topic will not discourage lost people from hearing the gospel. 

  9. Continue to walk in close fellowship with Christ and with faithful believers.

  10. Remain faithful to your local church - which is the Lord’s “pillar and ground of truth” (1 Tim. 3:15; Heb. 10:25).

Should Christians Drink Alchohol?

Pastor Robert Hammond

Some Christians argue that the Bible does not teach against drinking so long as we avoid intoxication. Let’s examine some biblical reasons why Christians should not drink alcohol.

  1. We are called to yield control to the Holy Spirit rather than to alcohol. Ephesians 5:18 states, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." That verse highlights the truth that God desires Christians to yield control of their lives to Him alone;

  2. The Bible explicitly states that drinking is unwise. Proverbs 20:1 states, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."

  3. The Bible states that drunkenness is sinful. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, the Bible lists drunkenness among sins that condemn the lost to hell: "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." The best way to avoid being a drunkard is to avoid drinking alcohol!

  4. The Bible reveals that wine causes spiritual harm. In Hosea 4:11, the Lord reveals that “Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.” One Bible commentator explains that, in the Bible, the heart pictures both our understanding and our affections. Here, we are warned that alcohol tends to both pervert our understanding and cause our affections to turn away from Godly things.

  5. The Lord calls us to demonstrate love to others. In 1 John 4:7, we read, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God." Engaging in behaviors such as smoking or drinking around others is arguably unloving, as it has potential to encourage them to partake in something that is physically and spiritually dangerous.

  6. The Bible commands us to refrain from even looking upon alcoholic wine. In Proverbs 23:31-32, the Lord commands, "Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder." The language of this verse seems to allude to the fermentation process that produces alcohol. That process causes the color of grape juice to change. And it releases carbon dioxide bubbles that cause the wine to “move.”

In summary, we observe that the Bible teaches that drinking is unwise. Drinking leads to intoxication, which is inherently sinful — and necessarily involves yielding control to a substance rather than to the Spirit. Further, alcohol tends to cause our hearts to turn to ungodly thoughts and actions. Lastly, drinking in the presence of others is arguably unloving — as it may encourage others to engage in a practice that is contrary to the words of God. Lord, give us grace to abstain — for your honor and glory.

If you are struggling with alcohol, consider these suggestions:

  1. Pray and confess the sin;

  2. Ask God for strength to stop drinking. And ask him to help you seek comfort from him. Praise God for his grace and comfort!

  3. Get support from your pastor or someone else in your church.

If your’re not certain that you know Christ as your Savior, please learn more here.

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Anyone Can Know Forgiveness in Christ

So-called Calvinists argue that a person may be forgiven of their sins only if they are chosen by God. Thankfully, that position is simply not biblical. Instead, we see in the Bible that God forgives anyone and everyone who repents of sin and receives Christ by faith. See the following points:

1. The Bible says that God’s will is that all people come to Christ in faith. The Bible clearly expresses God’s desire for all people to be saved, which stands in contrast to the idea that God pre-selects some for salvation and others for damnation:

1 Timothy 2:3-4 “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” This passage shows that God’s will is for all people to be saved from the consequences of their sin, not just a select group. The phrase “all men” indicates an inclusive desire that goes beyond a limited, predetermined group.

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Here, Peter emphasizes that God’s will is that no one should perish in hell.

2. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is enough for all people. The Bible teaches that Christ’s death was for all humanity, and not just for a limited group of people:

1 John 2:2 “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” The phrase “the whole world” makes it clear that Christ’s atonement was meant for everyone. This verse opposes the Calvinistic notion of “limited atonement,” which argues that Christ only died for some people.

John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This verse highlights God’s love for the entire world and offers salvation to “whosoever” believes. The open invitation here shows that anyone who believes, regardless of being part of an elect group or not, can receive salvation.

3. The Bible teaches that anyone may come to Christ. The Bible’s repeated use of the term “whosoever” shows that the offer of salvation is open to anyone who is willing to believe:

Revelation 22:17: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” This final invitation in the Bible is addressed to “whosoever will,” indicating that anyone who desires can come to Christ and receive eternal life.

Romans 10:13: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” The use of “whosoever” here emphasizes the universal availability of salvation. This invitation is consistent with the character of God as one who wants all people to be saved.

4. While the Bible teaches that God knows who will come to Christ, that does not mean that he pre-determines who may come to Christ. Calvinism often argues that God’s foreknowledge equates to Him pre-determining every person’s salvation or damnation. However, scripture indicates that God’s foreknowledge does not mean that he pre-selects only some people to know Christ:

Romans 8:29: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son…” The term “foreknow” here means that God, in His omniscience (perfect knowledge), knows beforehand who will choose to believe in Christ. Predestination in this context refers to those whom God knew would believe, not an arbitrary decision to save some and condemn others.

5. The Bible teaches that we all have a choice. The Bible repeatedly calls on everyone to choose to accept God’s offer of salvation. This implies that individuals have the responsibility to respond to God’s call, rather than being irresistibly drawn:

Joshua 24:15: “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” The appeal to “choose” illustrates the presence of human free will. If individuals were “sovereignly elected” without their participation, such a command would be unnecessary.

John 5:40: “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” Jesus here rebukes the Pharisees for refusing to come to Him. This implies that they had the capacity to come, yet chose not to. If they were simply not elected, then there would be no need to reprimand them for their refusal.

And so, we must understand that forgiveness is available to all who repent and come to Christ in faith. And that's a good truth -- because the Bible reveals that "all have sinned." In Romans 6:23, we read "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Learn more about the forgiveness that is available in Christ.

Does the Bible Permit the Theory of Evolution?

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Pastor Robert Hammond    (Originally published November 2010. Revised & expanded November 23, 2024)

On Sunday, November 24, 2024 many will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the so-called Lucy fossil, which has been offered as evidence of evolution.

The Theory of Evolution proposes that that over millions of years, relatively complex life forms (including man) evolved from simpler forms of life. While this is an intriguing scientific theory, the Bible does not permit this possibility.  Rather, the Bible teaches that the LORD created all forms of life as distinct, fully-developed life-forms during a literal six-day creation week.  

The very first verse of the Bible identifies God as the creator of all things.  Genesis1:1 states, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." The balance of that chapter details the order in which God created all things. 

The language of Genesis chapter one speaks of six literal days of creation.  Six times, the Bible describes the days of the creation week as being composed of an “evening and morning.” This is how Jewish people defined a single day.  The LORD used this very literal language in order to rule out the possibility that he was referring to longer periods of time (i.e. millions or billions of years).  This truth is plainly stated in Exodus 20:11, where we read, "For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is ..."

In Genesis chapter 1, the Bible says that all forms of life were created  “after his kind.”  In Genesis chapter 1, the Bible asserts eight times that God made each distinct form of life "after his kind."   This phrase refutes the possibility of evolution because it refutes the possibility that one life form evolved into “another kind” of life.  Rather, the Bible clearly states that each form of life was created distinctly “after his kind.” 

It is worth noting that those who argue for the theory of evolution cannot point to single "change in kind," i.e. an example of one kind of  animal evolving into a different kind of animal.  Rather, they can only point to examples of a certain kind of animal adaptating to its environment through so-called natural selection.   That's not evolution.  Rather, it's the process by which specific genetic traits are amplified within a population because they help an animal to survive.  For example, in snowy climates, young harp seals have snowy white coats.  This genetic trait has been amplified over other colors because it helps the young seals to hide from preditors.  Because more white seals survive, the genes that convey a white coat become amplified in the seal population.  Note that the resulting seals are still seals!  The process of natural selection has not changed the seal into another kind of animal.  So, natural selection is not evolution.  

In Genesis 1:26-28, the Bible teaches that the LORD created man separately from animals.  We have an origin that is distinct and separate from the origin of plants, sea life and animals.   Man was created at a distinct point in time (Gen. 1:26-27).  And man was created separately from animals (Gen. 1:24-25) and separately from sea life and birds (fifth day of creation).  And the Bible is clear that only man was created “in the image of God.” (1:26).   The literal language of Genesis 1 excludes the possibility that man evolved from other forms of life.

The Bible is clear that death entered the world as a result of sin (Rom. 5:12).  Therefore, if the theory of evolution is true, nothing could have died for millions (or billions) of years, i.e. nothing could have died until man evolved “far enough to sin.”  This isn’t possible because the earth isn’t large enough to accommodate all of the animals that would have been produced over the millions or billions of years that evolutionist claim were required for man to evolve (i.e. to evolve to point at which he would have the capactity to form the volition to sin against God).

The Bible timeline only permits the earth to be 5,000 – 6,000 years-old.   Even if we interpret the Bible timeline rather loosely, the Earth cannot be more than 10,000-years-old.    Because millions of years would be required for man to evolve from simpler forms of life, scientists who endorse the theory of evolution argue that the earth must be millions (or billions) of years old. The Bible timeline simply does not permit this possibility.  (And the so-called “Gap theory” is refuted by Rom. 5:12).   Also note that global flood descrived in Genesis 6 - 8 explains geological observations that argue for a very old Earth.  A catastrophic global flood could easily cause the earth to appear to be much older than its actual age. 

Listen to a 13-minute podcast that refutes the theory of evolution (AI generated audio)

Links for additional information:

keywords:  creation, creationism, intelligent design

What About Generational Curses?

Pastor Robert Hammond. February 2022.

Definition:  When used today, the term “generational curse” tends to be associated with the unbiblical idea that the LORD punishes people for the sin of their parents and grandparents.

Sometimes, this  idea is also wrongly used to excuse sin. An individual holding to this idea may attempt to excuse his or her sin with statements such as, “I sin like this because my parents sinned like this.” 

Biblical Background:

The notion of a multi-generational curse is drawn from the Old Testament books of Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy and Lamentations.  However, a careful examination of those passages reveals that children are held accountable only for their own sins (rather than for the sins of their parents);

Consider the context of the Exodus passage in which we find the LORD pronouncing multi-generational consequences due to  idolatry. In Exodus 20:4-5 the LORD commanded Israel to refrain from idolatry: 

Exodus 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5a Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God…

In that context, the LORD pronounced consequences “upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me” (Ex. 20:5b). 

There, the LORD taught that the consequence of committing idolatry would endure to future generations “of them that hate me.” 

Those consequences would endure to future generations because children tend to learn sin patterns from their parents. As children learned idolatry from their parents and then committed idolatry (thereby demonstrating personal  hatred of the LORD), those children would experience the consequence of their own sin;

Note, however,  that the very next verse (Ex. 20:6)  states that the LORD would show “mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments” (Ex. 20:6).

A child could escape the so-called generational curse when he demonstrated love to the LORD, i.e. by keeping the commandments. In the immediate context, a child could do that by refusing to enter into the same idolatry that was committed by his parents. While sinful parents model sinful behavior to their children, children always have a choice about whether or not to follow a sinful example!

Importantly, we should take care to observe that the generational curses pronounced in the Old Testament were pronounced to one nation (Israel). And they were pronounced in  the immediate context of warnings of one particular sin (idolatry);

Our understanding is further  guided by comparing “generational curse” passages with passages that clearly indicate that individuals are responsible only for their own sin:

Ezekiel 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

In John 9:1-3, Jesus’ disciples asked if a certain man was blind because he had sinned or because his parents had sinned. Evidently, they believed in some sort of punishment for sin committed by one’s parents. Jesus replied, “neither hath this man sinned nor his parents” (John 9:3).  In doing so, Jesus taught that the man’s blindness was not the result of either a generational curse or the blind man’s sin.  

Dr. David Sorenson summarizes that “God does not punish the children for the sins of the fathers. However, the sins of the fathers will influence and affect their children to three and four generations.

God therefore announced that the sins of the fathers, reproduced in their children, would extend to three and four generations and God would deal accordingly with each generation. A sober principle is at hand how that sin will influence children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren”

A Biblical Response

  • Recognize that the only biblical sense in which an individual suffers from a generational curse is the sense in which we inherit a sin nature as the result of the curse that God proclaimed upon all of creation in response to the sin of Adam and Eve. Individuals are released from the eternal consequence of their own sin when they are saved by grace through faith in Christ;

  • That said, the  idea that Christians need to be released from generational curses has no biblical foundation;

  • Parents should recognize that their sin tends to serve as a poor example to children. As such,  parents should confess sin and look to the LORD for strength to forsake a sinful example;

  • Those who attempt to excuse sin by pointing to the sinful example of parents or grandparents must take responsibility for their own actions. Recognize that, while the sinful example of our parents can influence us to commit the same sin, all of us always have the opportunity to choose obedience to the LORD.  If you have attempted to excuse your sin by pointing to someone else’s sinful example, take a moment to pray and confess that sin;

  • When the Holy Spirit is convicting of sin, be quick to agree (i.e. to confess the sin). Ask the LORD for strength to repent and to forsake the sin. Ask him for grace to put on obedience.

Read More:

_____________________
Sources: Walter Martin,  The Kingdom of the Occult, Thomas Nelson, 2008;  David Sorenson, Understanding the Bible, Northstar Ministries,  2005.

Should Christians "Decree and Declare" Our Desires?

Pastor Robert Hammond

Recently, a well-meaning man sent a note in which he stated, "I decree and declare that God will multiply" blessings toward me.  While I don't doubt the good intentions of that man, I was concerned enough about his theology that I asked him to explain his statement.  He replied to confirm his understanding that Christians have the authority to "decree and declare" our intentions into existence. And he provided his proof text:

Job 22:28 "Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways." 

Here's my concern:  Job 22:28 is part of a speech by Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's friends. It is important to understand the context and who is speaking in this passage. Eliphaz was offering his perspective on why Job was suffering, wrongly suggesting that Job's trial was due to sin and that if Job repented, he could expect blessings and favor from God. However, the Bible later reveals that, in the case of Job, the counsel of Job's friends, including Eliphaz, was flawed (see Job 42:7). 

Because this verse is spoken by Eliphaz, whose understanding and theology are not endorsed by God, it would be incorrect to interpret it as a doctrinal promise that Christians today can "declare" or "decree" our desires into existence. 

In Psalm 37:4, the Bible does teach “delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” However, Scripture nowhere teaches that believers have the authority to declare or decree their desires into existence by their words alone. Instead, Scripture emphasizes prayer, submission to God's will, and trust in His sovereignty.

Indeed, 1 John 5:14 states, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us." And James 4:15 teaches, "… ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that." 

Importantly, we should also be aware that the "decree and declare" practice can be traced to the unbiblical Word of Faith movement, which emerged in the mid-20th century.  More recently,  New Age philosophies have promoted the idea that individuals can manifest their desired reality through spoken affirmations or declarations.  In my opinion, this practice bears striking similarities to the practise of casting spells in witchcraft.  

In summary:

  • Scripture encourages making humble petitions, not decrees and declarations;

  • Biblical prayer seeks alignment with God's will, whereas "decree and declare" often focuses on the individual's desires alone;

  • Biblical prayer acknowledges God's sovereignty, while "decree and declare" overestimates the authority of believers. 

Lord, give us a heart to pray as Christ prayed — "nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matt. 26:39).

The Omnipotence of Christ

Pastor Robert Hammond

In Christ, we have an omnipotent Savior — A Savior with unlimited power!

Isaiah asserts that he is "mighty to save" (Isa 63:1). Matthew adds that Christ is the one who "hath power on earth to forgive sins" (Mat. 9:6). And John records that he has "power over all flesh" to "give eternal life" (Jn 17:2).

The power of Christ is demonstrated in his creation. The Bible reveals, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist (Colossians1:16-17).

The Lord's omnipotence is also viewed in his power over his creation. Christ is the one who "commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him"
(Lu. 8:25).

The unlimited power of Christ is also demonstrated wonderfully in his Resurrection. Christ is the one who has "power to lay … down" (his life), and "power to take it again (Jn 10:18).

Today, Christ is the one who is "upholding all things by the word of his power" (Heb. 1:3).

Let us join the "voice of a great multitude" in proclaiming, "Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!" (Rev. 19:6).

Praise God for our omnipotent Savior -- the Lord Jesus Christ!

Learn more about knowing Christ as your Savior.

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The Absolute Truthfulness of God

Pastor Robert Hammond

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To say that truth is absolute is to say that there is one version of truth that is universally applicable to all people throughout all of time — regardless of individual circumstances. Today, we live in a world that increasingly rejects this idea. Many prefer to create alternative versions of truth that feel more relative to their circumstances. And yet, the Bible reveals that God is both absolutely truthful and that his words are universally applicable to all people throughout time. In fact, the Bible testifies to the truthful nature of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. 

The Truthfulness of God the Father

The truthfulness of God the Father is attested throughout the Bible by the prophet Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Christ, Paul, the Apostle John, and at least one of the angels of heaven. 

In Jeremiah 10:10, the prophet asserts, “...the LORD is the true God...”

John the Baptist also testified to the truthfulness of God the Father.  He asserted that those who accepted his testimony regarding Christ necessarily testified that “God is true” (John 3:33). 

Jesus proclaimed the same truth.  In his address to the unbelieving Jews at the temple, the Lord stated, “he that sent me is true” (John 7:28). Christ later described the Father as “the only true God” (John 17:3). 

Paul adds that “...God is true...” ( 2 Corinthians 1:18). 

John writes that Christ came so that we may know “him that is true” (1 John 5:20).  That same verse concludes with Christ’s description of the Father as “the true God.” 

The writer of Hebrews asserts that it is “impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18). 

In the book of Revelation, John records that both the tribulation martyrs and an angel of heaven ascribe truthfulness to the Father.  There, the tribulation martyrs address the Lord as “holy and true” (Revelation 6:10). In Revelation 15:10,  they proclaim, “ Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways.” In the following chapter, an angel gloriously proclaims, “ Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments” (Revelation 16:7).  

The nineteenth-century Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon summarized the truth of God by writing, “... God is true. He is true in his very nature. There is no deceit, falsehood, or error in the essential nature of God” (Spurgeon, 1875, sermon 1265).

The Truthfulness of God the Son

The truthfulness of Christ — God the Son — is attested by Christ himself,  Paul, and John.  Christ describes himself as “the truth” (John 14:6) and “the true vine” (John 15:1). The Lord also attests to his absolute truthfulness through his use of the phrase “verily, verily.”  

In his gospel, John records twenty-five instances of our Lord’s use of this phrase.  In each case, “verily” is transliterated from the familiar Greek word “amen,” which is a transliteration of the Hebrew אָמֵן (amen). “Verily”  is used to characterize a statement as sure, firm and trustworthy.  Our Lord’s double-use of “verily” serves to emphasize the absolute truthfulness of his statements. 

Christ applied the phrase “Verily, verily” to his statements regarding both his eternality and his omniscience. In John 8:28, the Lord asserts the truthfulness of his eternality by declaring, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”  This wonderful expression of externality  alludes to the similar statement that the LORD made to Moses, in which he described himself as the eternal “I AM THAT I AM” (Exodus 3:14).

Christ also employed “verily, verily” to signify the absolute truthfulness of his omniscience. In John 1:51, Jesus replied to Nathanael’s astonishment at the Lord’s knowledge by stating, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.” 

Later, in John 13:21, Jesus demonstrated the truthfulness of his omniscience when he proclaimed to his disciples, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.” 

Finally, the Lord asserted the truthfulness of his prophecy regarding his  crucifixion by poetically revealing, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit” (John 12:24).

Christ similarly employs the use of “verily, verily” to ascribe absolute truthfulness to his statements regarding his sonship.  When confronted by the unbelieving Jews who decried his claim of sonship, Jesus offered, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise” (John 5:19).

Jesus taught his disciples “Verily, verily ... The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him (John 13:16). There, the Lord added, “Verily, verily, … he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.”

Christ also utilizes the phrase “verily, verily” to ascribe truthfulness to his statements regarding both sin and salvation.  In John 8:34, Jesus addressed the Jews who had wrongly placed their confidence in their Abrahamic lineage.  There, he states, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” One wrter observes:

The man who sins is a slave to sin and this whether he realizes it or not.  This means also that he cannot break away from sin. For that he needs a power greater than his own. (Morris, 1971, p. 458).

Thankfully, the power to be liberated from the consequences of sin is available to all men in the form of the true gospel. In at least eight verses, Jesus utilized the phrase “verily, verily” to signify the absolute truthfulness of various aspects of the gospel. 

In John 3:3, Jesus explained to Nicodemus, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  In John 3:5, the Lord states, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Jesus later proclaimed, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life (John 5:24-25). 

In John 6:32, Jesus preached, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.” In the same message, Jesus proclaimed,  “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47).  Jesus added metaphorically,  “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you” (John 6:53).  

Later, when addressing a group of Jews who had placed their confidence in Abraham, Jesus taught, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death” (John 8:51). 

Finally, when the Lord taught his disciples regarding prayer, he encouraged them with a promise:  “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you  (John 16:23).

Both Paul and John also testified to the truthfulness of Christ. Paul taught the church members at Ephesus that “the truth is in Jesus” (Ephesians 4:21). 

In his gospel, John describes Christ as both  the “true Light” (1:9)  and  “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).  In the same passage, John asserts that “grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). 

In Revelation, John records the statements of Christ to the several churches.  In his statement to the Philadelphia church, Christ describes himself as “he that is true” (Revelation 3:7).  Similarly, in the Lord’s address to the Laodiceans, he describes himself as “the Amen, the faithful and true witness” (Revelation 3:14). Later, in John’s vision of the return of Christ at the conclusion of the Tribulation, John describes Christ as the one who is called “Faithful and True” (Revelation 19:11). 

The Truthfulness of God the Holy Spirit

The truthfulness of the Holy Spirit is also thoroughly attested by Scripture.
Christ testifies to the truthfulness of the Spirit three times in John’s gospel (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13).  In each instance, Christ refers to the Holy Spirit as “the Spirit of Truth.” 

In Acts 5:32,  Peter also asserted that the Holy Spirit testified to the truth of Christ and the gospel.  John also avers that “the Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6).

At least five times through the New Testament, Scripture also describes the truthful testimony of the Holy Spirit to saved individuals regarding their personal salvation.  Writing to the Romans, Paul states, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16).

Paul similarly encouraged the churches throughout the region of Galatia. In Galatians 4:6, he writes, “because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”

Finally, in 1 John, the apostle also wrote three times regarding the truthful testimony of the Spirit regarding our salvation (1 John 3:24; 4:13; 5:6). Writing of truth and the Holy Spirit, one writer concludes, “The Holy Spirit is marked by, gives it, defends it” (Robertson, 1930).

Responding to these truths
Praise the LORD for the absolute truthfullness of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Praise him for defining truth, revealing truth, and acting in a manner that is consistently faithful to the truth of his words.

Pray, LORD help me to accept your truth as applicable to me. Help me to live according to the absolute truth of your words — the Bible.

Copyright (c) 2020. Robert W. Hammond

Why Baptists Aren't Protestants

ON THIS REFORMATION DAY (10/31/24) let us be reminded why we Baptists don't view ourselves as a product of the Reformation, i.e. why we do don’t believe that our heritage is traced to Protestants who came out of the Roman Catholic Church.

The key reason that we do not view ourselves as products of the Reformation is that Scripture demands that biblical churches would exist continuously from the first century forward, i.e. without a need to re-establish such churches through a Reformation movement.

Where does Scripture demand this? First, in Matthew 16:18, Jesus promised to build his church upon himself -- and that "the gates of hell" would not "prevail against it." Second, we observe in Ephesians 3:21 that Christ would be glorified in the churches "throughout all ages." Both of these verses demand the continuous existence of biblical assemblies -- from the first century through this century.

Who were some of the historical groups that maintained legitimate biblical churches, i.e. in parallel to the development of the Roman Catholic church? Prior to the Reformation, history reveals Baptist-like groups such as the Waldenses, Albigenses, and certain Anabaptists, who are clear spiritual ancestors to modern Baptist assemblies.

Praise God that we have the privilege to understand our heritage - and to see it traced throughout history.

For More Information:

Call the Witnesses!

(Meditations on John 5-6). The Old Testament establishes the principle that truth is discerned through the testimony of multiple witnesses (Deuteronomy 17:6,19:15).

Today, this principle is applied in modern courtrooms. The innocence or guilt of the accused is assessed through the testimony of multiple witnesses.

Jesus taught that this principle also applies to evaluating his claim to be the Son of God! In John 8:17-18, Jesus told the Pharisees, “It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.” Jesus taught that his own testimony, combined with the testimony of the Father, establishes that he is the Son of God. Indeed, at Jesus’s baptism, the Father testified, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Today’s reading provides three additional witnesses to the truth that Jesus is the Son of God.

First, Jesus reminded his audience that John the Baptist “bare witness unto the truth” (5:31-35). John testified that Christ is both “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (1:29, 36) and “the Son of God” (1:34).

Second, Jesus asserted that his works are a greater witness to his deity (5:36, 10:25). Jesus healed a man that had been sick for 38 years (5:1-16). And he fed 5,000 with just “five barley loaves, and two small fishes” (6:9). Nicodemus was moved by this evidence. “We know that thou art a teacher come from God,” said Nicodemus to Jesus. “For no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him” (John 3:2).

Third, Jesus used the authority of Scripture (Psalm 138:2, 2 Timothy 3:16) to testify of his divinity (5:39). He revealed that Moses wrote of him (5:46. Also see Genesis 3:15, Deuteronomy 18:15-19). In Luke 24:27, Jesus taught that he was revealed in “all the scriptures.” After Philip came to Christ, he proclaimed, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth…” (John 1:45, also Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2).

Praise God for giving us this five-fold testimony to the divinity of Christ: the testimony of the Father, the Son, the forerunner of Christ, the works of Christ, and the Scriptures.

Pray, Father, encourage us through this evidence. And help us use it to bring others to Christ (Romans 10:14-15).

Learn more about some of the Old Testament prophecies that testify to the identity of Christ. See bit.ly/prophesy-Christ

Copyright © 2020 Robert W. Hammond.

Why we still use the King James Bible at Long Hill Baptist Church.

Pastor Robert Hammond

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At Long Hill Baptist Church, we praise God for equipping us with His words! We're aware that the debate around Bible versions has, at times, been less than gracious.  Our desire is to graciously communicate the rationale for a our decision to make exclusive use of the King James Bible (which is also known as the Authorized Version). We recognize at least four key reasons for using the King James Bible:

The Kings James Bible is an accurate translation of the correct version of the Hebrew Old Testament and Greek New Testament.

It uses the Hebrew and Greek texts that have been received by God’s people throughout history.  These underlying texts are commonly known as the Textus Receptus – which simply means “received text.” Most of the other modern Bible translations used a different underlying Greek New Testament.  They made this decision because, during the 19th century, additional Greek manuscripts were discovered. 

The problem with those newly discovered manuscripts is that they were not consistent with each other!  Despite the inconsistencies, those newly-discovered manuscripts were judged to be “older and therefore better” than the words of God that have been traditionally received by God’s people.  Consequently, the newly-discovered manuscripts were used by academicians to produce a new version of the Greek New Testament (the so-called Critical Text). 

The Critical Text is the Greek that underlies nearly all of the modern translations, including the English Standard Version (ESV), New Internal Version (NIV), New American Standard Version (NASB), New Living Translation (NLT), The Message, New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), the New Living Translation (NLT) and others.

This Greek that underlies the modern translations is missing hundreds of words — and entire verses. For that reason, Bibles like the English Standard Version (ESV) are missing verses, including: Matthew 17:21, Matthew 18:11, Matthew 23:14, Mark 7:16, Mark 9:44, Luke 17:36, John 5:4, Acts 8:37 and more.

At Long Hill Baptist Church, we reject the notion that God could have hid his true words from his people until the 19th Century.

To do so would have made it impossible for God’s people to live according to His words – as required by Matthew 4:4.  In Matthew 4:4, Jesus taught that we are responsible to live according to his words:

“…It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

Furthermore, the clear Biblical teaching that God promised to preserve His words obliges us to reject the idea that His true words would need to be restored by man through an academic process.  In Matthew 24:35, Jesus said that his words would never pass away.

"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) 

In the Old Testament, the Book of Psalms teaches:

“The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.  7Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” (Psalm 12:6-7)

We recognize that some of the modern Bible versions used an undesirable approach to Bible translation.

The so-called dynamic equivalence (or paraphrase) technique was used to produce many of the modern Bible translations, including the New International Version (NIV) and the New Living Translation (NLT).  This approach to translation attempts to preserve the basic ideas of each scriptural passage – without attempting to make a word-for-word translation.  While this approach produces translations that are generally easy to understand, it necessarily denies readers access to “every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matt 4:4).   Thankfully, our King James Bible uses a more rigorous technique – formal equivalence.  This approach attempts to preserve the meaning of each individual word and phrase – and therefore results in a translation that is closer to the original Greek and Hebrew.

The King James Bible reflects a level of grammatical precision that can’t easily be achieved with contemporary English.

In John 3:7, Jesus told a man named Nicodemus, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”  The pronoun “ye” is the second-person plural form of “you.”  Jesus used the plural form to make it clear that all men must be “born again” by repenting and placing their faith in him alone.  He desired for people to understand that it wasn’t just Nicodemus that needed to be born again.  However, most modern translations read, “You must be born again.”  By choosing to use more contemporary English, modern translations cloud the true meaning of the words that Christ spoke.

For more information:


Encouraging Examples of Humility

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Pastor Robert Hammond

Growing in our walk with Christ involves accepting the truth that life is more about humbly serving him than about pridefully living to serve ourselves. John the Baptist said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). In John 12-13, examples of Christ-like humility are contrasted with cases of self-centered pride. 

First, we find Mary humbly annointing Jesus’s feet with an expensive perfume called spikenard (12:1-8). John records that Mary then wiped his feet with her hair. Mary’s humble heart is seen in her willingness to use the expensive perfume on someone other than herself. And it is seen in her willingness to use her hair to wipe her Lord’s feet! Clearly, both actions reveal that she placed serving her Savior ahead of herself. 

Second, we find Jesus humbly riding into Jerusalem on a donkey (John 12:12-19). This fulfilled Zechariah’s prophecy that Jesus would come “lowly, and riding upon an ass” (Zechariah 9:9).   Shortly thereafter, we find Jesus humbly washing the feet of his disciples (13:4-10). As Mary used her hair to wipe Jesus’s feet, Jesus humbly used the towel that he wore to wipe the feet of the disciples.  

Jesus’s humble actions are complemented by his humble words. “For I have not spoken of myself, but the Father which sent me,” said Jesus.  “He gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak (12:49). Jesus humbly submitted himself to the Father. No doubt, this is an example for us. 

The humility of Mary and Jesus is sharply contrasted with the pride of Judas and the Jewish rulers. Judas pridefully asked “Why was not this ointment sold… and given to the poor” (12:5-6). He cared not for the poor, but rather coveted the proceeds from the sale. The Jewish rulers believed on Christ, but pridefully refused to serve him by confessing him to others (12:42). John records that they feared being put out of the synagogue. He explained, “For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (12:43). They pridefully valued their power and position before men over humility and service to their Lord and Savior. 

Jesus calls believers to not only confess him (Matthew 10:32), but also to humbly serve him and follow him (John 12:26). He calls us to recognize that we are not greater than our Lord (13:16).  As such, we should not live to serve ourselves. Rather, we should live to follow his example of humble service (John 13:14-15).

Praise God for his promise to bless us as we humbly submit to serve him (John 13:17; 1 Peter 5:5; James 4:6,10).

Father, help us humble ourselves (Romans 12:3; Philippians 2:5-7). And help us to give ourselves to humbly serve you as we serve others (Romans 12:1; Galatians 6:10).

Copyright 2020 Robert W. Hammond.

The Shepherd, the Sheep, and the Lamb.

In John 10, Jesus portrays himself as both the shepherd of his sheep (10:2, 11, 14)  and the door of the sheep (10:7, 9). The Bible pictures the Lord’s people as his sheep (Isaiah 53:6, Matthew 9:36, 1 Peter 2:25). In Bible times sheep and shepherds were familiar to most people. They understood that sheep are vulnerable animals that depend upon a shepherd to provide for them and to protect them. What an apt depiction of God’s people and Christ our shepherd! 

Consider several aspects of the relationship of the shepherd to his sheep. Jesus says that he is the good shepherd (10:11, 14) who knows his sheep. He says that he “calleth his own sheep by name (10:3). Jesus also says, “I know them” (10:28). What a wonderful thought. The Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20) knows every one of us by name!  

Jesus also describes himself as the shepherd who leads his sheep (10:3). In the twenty-third psalm, Jesus is portrayed as the Shepherd who “leadeth me beside the still waters” (Psalm 23:2). In John’s visions of heaven, we are encouraged that Jesus will lead his sheep “unto living fountains of waters” (Rev. 7:17). Praise God for a Savior who is also the Shepherd who leads his people. 

Jesus also describes himself as “the door of the sheep” (10:7-9). He is the only way into the sheepfold (John 14:6). Jesus states, “by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved” (10:9). Recall that the Old Testament tabernacle had just one door that permitted access to the place of God’s special presence. That door pictured Jesus as the only door to God the Father. Truly, he is the one and only way, truth, and life (John 14:6).

Jesus is the door that permits access to the Father because he laid down his life so that we could be forgiven by the Father. In John 10, Jesus twice states that he is the shepherd who gave his life for his sheep (10:11,17). He did that so that his sheep “might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (10:10). Jesus came as a man precisely for that purpose (John 1:14). In that sense, he is the Great Shepherd who came as a sheep! He is the one who was “brought as a lamb to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7). He is the “lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19) “which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Jesus is the Shepherd who came as a lamb to save his sheep!  Father, help us to be sheep that know our Shepherd’s voice and follow him (10:4). 

Copyright © 2020 Robert W. Hammond.

Vision Trials & Victorious Testimonies

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(Meditations on John 8-9). God has great purposes for allowing trials (Romans 8:28). In 2019, I developed an eye problem that left me without vision in half of one eye. An emergency surgery restored my vision, albeit with some lasting effects. I’m thankful that the Lord has worked through this trial to grow my dependence upon him.

Not long after my own vision trial began, I met a man who lost his vision after suffering a stroke. Although he had strayed from God, he evidently remembered that “he that is of God heareth God's words” (John 8:47). And so he allowed me to read Scripture to him. Thankfully, the words of God have the effect that God desires (Isaiah 55:11). After a short time, the man testified that God used his trial of blindness to open his eyes again to the truth of God’s words! Like the psalmist, he recognized that God used an affliction to call him back to obedience (Psalm 119:67). God had a great purpose for his trial!

In John 9, we see Jesus’s purposes for miraculously giving vision to a man who was blind from birth (John 9:1). Christ’s disciples asked if the man’s blindness had resulted from sin (John 9:2). The Lord replied that the man’s blindness had been allowed in order to create an opportunity for him to perform a miracle that would demonstrate his power (John 9:3). (Also recall John 5:36, John 10:25). Truly, the Lord had a great purpose for allowing this trial, too!

That man’s response to his trial also demonstrates God’s purposes for trials. First, the man responded by giving a testimony of Christ’s power to his neighbors (John 9:8-12) and to Jewish leaders (John 9:13-34). Because of his trial and his testimony of healing, many were challenged to consider Christ’s identity.

Second, the man came to faith in Christ as a result of his trial! After Jesus gave the man sight, the Lord asked him if he believed “on the Son of God” (John 9:35). The man humbly answered, “Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? (John 9:36). Jesus replied, “Thou hast both seen him and it is he that talketh with thee” (John 9:37). The man answered, “Lord, I believe” (John 9:38). Amen!

Third, the man’s trial and his miraculous healing by Christ resulted in his worship of Christ (John 9:38). To worship is to bow one’s heart in reverence and adoration. As a result of his trial, the man humbled himself before his Lord and Savior. Amen!

Believers should remember that the Lord has great purposes for trials. We should allow this truth to frame our response to every trial. Father, help us to “glory in tribulations” (Romans 5:3). And help us to be quick to testify to the grace that we have received from Christ to endure trials (2 Corinthians 12:9). Trials that result in victorious testimonies for Christ are victories indeed!

Learn more about why God allows trials at http://bit.ly/WhyTrials

See these Bible-listening tips for people with low vision.

Copyright © 2020 Robert W. Hammond.

Christ is Omniscient. So, Why Doesn't He Know The Timing Of His Return?

Pastor Hammond

Recently, I was asked to explain my understanding of Jesus' statement in which he indicated that only the Father knows when Christ will return:

Mt 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

This is difficult because we understand that Christ is God the son and that he therefore has perfect knowledge (omniscience).  How may we reconcile his omniscience with his claim that he doesn't know when he will return?

Here's a short answer:  Christ has always possessed his divine nature.  He did not become less divine when he took on a human nature at his incarnation.  However, when he came, he chose not to fully exercise all of his divine attributes. This would include his omniscience – in terms of his knowledge of when he would return.

This answer is consistent with the idea is expressed in Philippians 2:6-8:

Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  

You may be wondering why Christ evidently chose to not possess knowledge of the timing of his return. 

First, note that the verses that follow Mat 24:36-37 appear to address the need for people in the Tribulation to maintain a state of readiness for the return of Christ -- not knowing exactly when he will return. No one in the Tribulation will know exactly when he is coming (Not even Christ!) -- and so all should take great care to get ready and maintain a state of readiness.

Secondly, Christ's choice to not know the time of his return may be intended to communicate his submission to the plan of the Father and his reliance upon the Spirit of God.  If correct, this is a wonderful example for us!    

We Care About People Who Identify as LGBTQ+

Pastor Robert Hammond

Long Hill Baptist Church cares about people who identify as members of the LGBTQ community.  There’s several important things that we want you to know:

  1. We love you.  And God loves you, too. If fact, Jesus proclaimed, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

  2. In love, we share that, according to the Bible, a person doesn’t belong in the LGBTQ+ community simply because they lack a natural attraction to people of the opposite biological gender. In fact, the Bible makes it clear that some people are born without a natural attraction to people of the opposite biological gender.

    See for yourself: Matthew 19:12 says,     “For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb…”

    What does that mean? Historically, a eunuch was typically a man who was castrated so that he would not be distracted by physical attraction to women. We understand that, in Matthew 19:12, the Bible uses this fact to illustrate the truth that some people are born without a natural attraction to opposite biological gender (some are born so “from their mother’s womb”). Importantly , however, that doesn’t mean that God intends for those people to identity with the LGBTQ+ community.

    Why would we say that? In the Bible, God specifically prohibits homosexual behavior. For example, in Leviticus 18:22, God commands, “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” And so the Bible makes it very clear that God views practicing homosexuality as a sin. This matters because, according to the Bible, any sin will condemn us to punishment in a very real and eternal hell (Romans 6:23) — unless we find God’s forgiveness.

3. The good news is that Jesus Christ offers forgiveness of sin when turn to to him in faith.

In Romans 3:23, the Bible says that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."  God's perfect holiness and justice requires that a penalty be paid for sin.  In fact, in Romans 6:23, the Bibles teaches that "the wages of sin is death."  The good news is that the son of God -- the Lord Jesus Christ -- paid that penalty for us by shedding His blood and dying upon the cross in our place.  It is only through repentance (turning to Christ from sin) and placing one's faith in Christ that our sins are forgiven.  Romans 6:23 says, "the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."  If you will repent and receive Christ as your savior, you can know for certain that you have been forgiven and that you have eternal life.

Thankfully, when we come to Christ with a humble, repentant faith, we find both forgiveness of all sin and strength to put off old sinful habits.

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What's in a Name?

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Whereas the gospels of Matthew and Mark portray Christ as King and Servant, respectively, Luke and John emphasize the humanity and deity of Christ, respectively.

Chapter one of John’s gospel contains a wonderful catalog of fourteen names and titles for our Savior. Ten times, Christ is called by his personal name, Jesus, which means savior (Matthew 1:21). Throughout this single chapter our Savior is also called “the Word” (1:1-4), “God” (1:1), “the true light” (1:7-9), “Jesus Christ” (1:17), “the only begotten Son” (1:18), “the Lord” (1:23), “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (1:28, 36), “Rabbi” (or Master) (1:38, 49), “the Son of God” (1:34, 49), “Messias” (meaning the Christ) (1:41), “Jesus of Nazareth” (1:45), “the king of Israel” (1:49), and “the Son of Man” (1:51).

These names are worthy of much personal study. They help us to better understand the nature of our Savior. For example, his title “Lord” refers to his supreme authority.  Because of his unique authority, Jesus alone is to be called “Rabbi” or “Master” (Matthew 23:7-8). Our Lord’s authority stems from the fact that he is “the Word.” John associates this title with Christ’s divinity and his role as creator of all things (1:1-3). Jesus was not created. Rather, he created all things (Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16), working together with Father and the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:2). Mormons falsely teach that Christ is a created being who became a god. Similarly, the Jehovah’s Witnesses falsely teach that God the Father created the Son.

Please join me in praying for the LORD to help us to understand the meaning and significance of the names and titles of our Savior. Pray for the LORD to give us boldness to defend the truth that Christ created all things. And pray for the LORD to help us to submit to Christ as both our Lord and Savior!  

Copyright (c) 2020. Robert W. Hammond