12.11.07
Posted in Church Events, All at 5:04 pm by Pastor Bill
…for a lot of things! Yes, this is the Christmas season, which seems to have been replaced by the ‘holiday’ season with all it’s trappings. Holiday shopping at the holiday sales, parties, gifts, TV specials, all contribute to the exceeding ‘busy-ness’ of our days. While these secular celebrations aren’t necessarily bad in themselves, they do work together to rob us of our time and attention that should be spent in meditation and worship of our Savior. The coming of the messiah into our world, to save His people from their sin, is the greatest event in human history! We should not allow our secular events to displace our affection and attention to God’s great news of forgiveness and peace through Christ. As believers and followers of Jesus, we should take every opportunity this season to ‘take-back’ what we have given up to the secular celebrations. Take time to tell someone you know about the real reason for the season, the only reason for joy and rejoicing, the gift of eternal life and peace with God!
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing…” Ephesians 1:3
May Jesus and the reality of his life, death and resurrection be real and precious to you, during these special days.
God bless you through His Son,
Pastor Bill ><>
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10.24.07
Posted in Church Events, Teaching, Theology, In The News... at 4:19 pm by Pastor Bill
Since I’ve been posting about the lack of new music that truly glorifies God and exalts Christ, I thought I need to mention it when a truly worshipful album comes along. This selection actually came out in 2005 so it is not ‘new’, except when compared to the dates of the hymns written in most of our hymnbooks. I heard the artist and her husband when I attended a pastor’s conference at Alistair Begg’s church in Cleveland Ohio several years ago. They provided the worship music for the event and I was so impressed that I bought the album. It is entitled ‘Hymns for the life of the church’, and the singers are Kristyn Getty, Margaret Becker, and Joanne Hogg. The tunes are reverently paced (meaning without a rocking beat…making it more appropriate for church singing IMHO), but the lyrics tell the heart of the songs (as with all music). Here are the lyrics to a few that are especially impacting to me.
Let’s start off with ‘The Power of the Cross’, a hymn that takes us to the event of the crucifixion, and reminds us what was accomplished there, and why, and for whom.
Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.
CHORUS:
This, the pow’r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev’ry bitter thought,
Ev’ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.
Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
“Finished!” the vict’ry cry.
Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.
FINAL CHORUS:
This, the pow’r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.
No Christian should be able to read or sing this without being humbled and grateful to our Loving God, who gave His son for us, rebels and arrogant though we are. Another hymn from the album is titled “Beneath the cross of Jesus“, and again forces us to consider what are the consequences of our sin…what it cost the Savior to redeem us to glory, and also shows us the magnitude of our God’s love.
Beneath the cross of Jesus
I find a place to stand,
And wonder at such mercy
That calls me as I am;
For hands that should discard me
Hold wounds which tell me, “Come.”
Beneath the cross of Jesus
My unworthy soul is won.
Beneath the cross of Jesus
His family is my own—
Once strangers chasing selfish dreams,
Now one through grace alone.
How could I now dishonor
The ones that You have loved?
Beneath the cross of Jesus
See the children called by God.
Beneath the cross of Jesus—
The path before the crown—
We follow in His footsteps
Where promised hope is found.
How great the joy before us
To be His perfect bride;
Beneath the cross of Jesus
We will gladly live our lives.
This hymn also reminds us of our responsibility to love and serve our fellow believers (Romans 14-15) because of the matchless grace that has been imparted to us who have received the saving work of Christ. A final hymn that we will look at is “Across the Lands“, which reveals to us the worldwide work of God on earth, the mission and the success of our suffering yet victorious Savior.
You’re the Word of God the Father
From before the world began.
Ev’ry star and ev’ry planet
Has been fashioned by Your hand.
All creation holds together
By the power of Your voice.
Let the skies declare Your glory;
Let the land and seas rejoice!
CHORUS
You’re the Author of creation;
You’re the Lord of ev’ry man;
And Your cry of love rings out across the lands.
Yet You left the gaze of angels,
Came to seek and save the lost,
And exchanged the joy of heaven
For the anguish of a cross.
With a prayer You fed the hungry;
With a word You calmed the sea;
Yet how silently You suffered
That the guilty may go free!
With a shout You rose victorious,
Wresting vict’ry from the grave,
And ascended into heaven,
Leading captives in Your way.
Now You stand before the Father,
Interceding for Your own;
From each tribe and tongue and nation,
You are leading sinners home!
What are my standards for good worshipful music? 1) Biblically accurate lyrics. 2) Lyrics that are properly reverent and worshipful towards God. 3) Themes that glorify God, exalt Christ and thank the Holy Spirit. Themes that cause us to look up with wonder and amazement to the King of Kings, and to look down in humility in the realization that we are unworthy of our Savior’s sacrifice. 4) Themes that cause my heart to soar with gratitude and agreement with what God has revealed about Himself in His Word.
With those as a few of my standards, there is not much being produced today that measures up. I encourage you to seek out good music, and use it as a tool to lift your heart, mind and life in service to your Lord and King!
SING ON!
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07.24.07
Posted in Church Events, All at 5:58 pm by Pastor Bill
We finally arrived back home from Guadalaraja Mexico, with our luggage arriving shortly thereafter. What a great mission trip! We experienced God’s work around and within us each and every day. Our church members were divided into 3 teams, to go out to the villages of Mascota, Minerales and Tequila. Each morning we helped local pastors or missionaries lead a childrens summer Bible school adventure, called ‘Campo de Verano’! The theme for the week was ‘Tesoros Escondidos”…hidden treasures. We showed the children the hidden treasures in God’s Word, His love and salvation through Jesus Christ. Each day this theme was brought out through a different parable that Jesus taught.
In the evenings we would go out into the various villages nearby for witnessing and evangelism to children and adults. These villages might have from 200 to 5000 people living there. For the most part these towns are closed off to the gospel, being controlled by the bishop of the local Catholic church. They call us ‘Christians’ and discourage the people from talking to us. Some people will however, and we did see a few people receive Christ as Savior.
One of our teams went to a prison to meet the men there and to share the gospel and testimonies of Jesus’ life changing power. Twenty six men came forward at the end of the program to receive Christ!
We were really impacted by the pastors and missionaries who live there and have devoted their lives to reaching the lost with the gospel. We would travel with them to small villages where they have been witnessing, and would find out that there is not a single believer in the whole village.
We ask that you would take time to pray for these men and women who are serving Christ there, bringing the glorious light of the gospel to a people lost in spiritual darkness. Pray for their safety and health and encouragement to be faithful to our Savior. Pray that God would do a great work of bringing salvation to this area of Mexico. Thank you for your prayers and support!
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07.06.07
Posted in Church Events, All at 5:04 pm by Pastor Bill
…to Mexico for our 1st mission trip as a church. Well, we’re mostly packed, and should be finished by tonight, when we hope to get at least 3 hours of sleep before heading to the airport.
I intended to try to give semi-daily updates on the progress of our trip, but I doubt we will find an internet cafe where we are heading, so I’ll try to give an update when we return.
I also found out this is their rainy season, and hot too…just the way we like it 
For all of you who have been supporting us with your prayers and or finances, we want you to know that God has worked miracles through you! Our financial support is at almost 100%, which is a true blessing for all of us. We were prepared to finance the trip ourselves if necessary, but God has removed that burden by the means of all of you and your generosity in love. I want you to know that this is not just OUR mission trip, but YOU also are ministering to the people of the villages where we will be serving.
Well, we are packing the mosquito spray, remembering not to drink the water, and expectantly watching to see what marvelous things God will do while we are there. Stay tuned, we’ll be sure to give you a full update as soon as we can.
Keep praying for us and our service for Christ!
Pastor Bill <><
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05.30.07
Posted in Church Events, All at 2:54 pm by Pastor Bill
We are going on a mission trip to Mexico! This July 7-14 a group from our church will be joining a group from Bethel Baptist Church in Parkersburg WV to assist missionaries and a local pastor in Guadalajara Mexico. We are excited about this since it is our first missions trip for our church family.
Our primary focus will be to assist the local church in Guadalajara to contact local residents of outlying villages. We will have a ministry for children and families, to introduce them to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to inform them of their need for a savior. Many of these people have their own religion, but one which does not lead to eternal life since it is based on human works for acceptance with God.
Many people would fault followers of Christ for attempting to sway people who have their own religion and are satisfied with it. This comes from the mistaken belief that all religions are equally valid, and that all roads will eventually lead to God. This teaching is directly in opposition to what God has said in His word. Jesus himself told us in John 14:6 that “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, nobody comes to the Father, except thorough me.” We read in Acts 4:12 that Peter confessed…”there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven, given to men, by which we must be saved” as he preached about Jesus and His death and resurrection. The apostle Paul reminds us that “There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men…” who is Jesus Christ. (1 Tim.2:5)
If what the Bible says is true, all who have ‘their own religion’ that does not confess Jesus as Lord and rely upon His atoning death and resurrection for salvation are ’still in their sins’ and are doomed to an eternity in hell. How compassionate is it to have the ‘way, truth and life’ and to not share it with those who need it? This is our calling as believers, to be God’s ambassadors, bringing the message of reconciliation and peace with God. (1 Cor.5:18-21, Rom.5:1, 8:1)
Please pray for us as we prepare for this mission, that we would go in the power and leading of God’s Holy Spirit. This is not our mission, it is God’s, and we must be prepared to go and speak as He leads us. Pray that we would be faithful, and that God will provide for our needs. Pray that God will open our eyes and hearts to the needs of the people that we meet, and that we would truly be His hands and feet, and witnesses of His grace and mercy. Pray that God’s word will be powerful and effective! Thank you! We will keep you updated on this site as the trip commences.
God bless you!
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05.01.07
Posted in Church Events, All at 6:44 pm by Pastor Bill
…of Austin Texas. (Here is their website if you were trying to find them…www.hpbc.org) To those of you who are familiar with our church, the HYDE PARK BAPTIST CHURCH of Cincinnati Ohio, this may sound like an invented dilemma. Those who are most likely to confuse us with the aforementioned church in Austin Texas are internet users. It’s odd how even if you google Hyde Park Baptist in either Cincinnati or Austin, you will still get some hits for the other church. Idiosyncrasies of the internet!
A church you probably will never confuse us with is perhaps the largest church in our area, Crossroads community church. (Here’s their site…www.crossroadscommunity.net ) We are vastly different in size, ministry and treatment of the scriptures. Our sermons are available on our website, as are theirs, and it only takes a cursory listen to gain a perspective on our varying beliefs about the Word of God, and our treatment of God himself in respect to reverence and exaltation.
Whether you live in Austin Texas, Cincinnati Ohio or Nome Alaska, have you committed yourself to being a dedicated member of a local body of Christian believers? God’s word makes it clear that we are saved to serve, and Christ has given His church as a gift to every believer. Your spiritual gift(s) are given to you to use in serving others. I trust that you will earnestly search out a local church where you can be fed and led, and also glorify God by serving others with you time, talents and finances. (Oh yeah, we had to include money in there somewhere!)
If you are part of a true community of believers where you can serve and be ministered to by the Word of God and the Love of Christians, take a minute to thank God for His incredible gift to you. Many people are not blessed with a true family of believers. Pray for them also!
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12.22.06
Posted in Church Events, All at 6:41 pm by Pastor Bill
We want to take this opportunity to thank you for visiting our website and to encourage you to be blessed this Christmas season as you worship Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
If you will be in Cincinnati during the Christmas weekend, we invite you to celebrate our Savior’s birth on Sunday with us. We will have a Christmas message at 11am and also a special Christmas Eve Candlelight service at 6 pm. We hope you will join us as we celebrate and thank our God for His grace to us.
God bless you, and Worship the King of Glory!
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10.31.06
Posted in Church Events, Theology at 9:39 pm by Pastor Bill
Yes, worship…but what it is really? We speak all the time of worshiping God, but do we know what we’re talking about. Well, worship is the topic of our next preaching series for Sunday mornings. We plan to begin this series on Sunday, November 12th. We are currently preaching through Paul’s letter to the Romans, making it partway through chapter 8 until we stop for this new series.
How much of our worship is Biblically mandated or illustrated, and how much of it is personal preference. Is preaching worship, or only the music? Can we be led into worship or do we bring it with us? Do we need to have a certain ‘feeling’ before we can worship? Can we come to worship God ‘just the way we are’, or is there preparation required to worship? We need to know the difference if we hope to be God honoring and Christ pleasing in our worship. Our series will examine ‘True Biblical Worship of the One True God’, Biblical patterns of worship in the Old Testament and New Testament, and will be used to guide us into true worship that our God will be pleased with.
As usual, we will be recording our sermons and will have them available on CD’s or MP3’s for your convenience…just contact the church to ask for a set. If you are in cincinnati, you can join us each Sunday morning at 11:00 am for our worship services, we are the Hyde Park Baptist Church, 3460 michigan avenue, cincinnati, oh, 45208. We will save you a seat!
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10.05.06
Posted in Church Events, All, Book Reviews at 3:08 pm by Pastor Bill
Our church family is getting ready to begin a process of intensive self-examination by going through a Bible study entitled ‘Changed into His Image”. My wife and I took this course a few years ago at our last church and it was the single best series we have ever participated in, as far as making real change in our daily living for Jesus. Here at Hyde Park Baptist Church, we just finished up our Autumn Spiritual Retreat with the theme of “Jesus and His true disciples” based on Luke 9:23. Jesus said “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”.
This new series, ‘Changed into his image’ is written by Jim Berg and will be a great follow up to our retreat theme. If you live in the Cincinnati area I encourage you to join us for this journey. We will be starting on Wednesday, October 18th. Please contact the church if you would like to order materials for the course, which include the textbook and a workbook.
The face and impact of Christianity in America would be radically changed for the better if each one of us devoted ourselves to being changed into the image of our savior, Jesus Christ. I encourage you to follow Him closely, and to go where He is leading.
Our church address is…Hyde Park Baptist Church, 3460 Michigan avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45208.
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06.28.06
Posted in Church Events at 4:41 pm by Pastor Bill
If you get the chance to visit Hyde Park over the July 4th weekend, you’ll probably catch the action on the square. There will be running races in the early morning hours, and the bicycle races and block party in the afternoon- all happening on Saturday- July 1st.
Our church, the Hyde Park Baptist Church, is strategically located on the finish line for the bike races, on the corner of Erie and Michigan avenues. There is always a crowd gathered along the sidewalk and on our lawn to see and cheer the racers. We will provide spectators and racers with free water, and we will be handing out other goodies as well. We plan to pass out child I.D. kits to parents of small children, and also doggie treats to owners of dogs (hungry dogs).
These little things that we can do are designed to reach out to our community and perhaps to connect with some people who may be looking for a church or that have spiritual questions. This is just one small way that we can reach out and share God’s love with everyone we meet.
When is the last time you reached out to share Jesus’ love? Have you ever received Jesus’ love for yourself? We invite you to stop by and sample it on Saturday!
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