The Lamp Post

  Rick Harrington, pastor of First Baptist Church of Haverhill, moderates this discussion on the Problem of Suffering with panelists Brian Bethke, pastor of Middleton Congregational Church, Dave Hammer, pastor of Danville Baptist Church and Michael John, pastor of Market Street Baptist Church.  The Problem of Evil / Suffering PART 1: The Biblical Perspective  “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” – James 1:2-3 “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” – Romans 5:3-5 - What overall are these verses saying about suffering? How is

Four local church pastors discuss the cross.  Michael John, pastor of Market Street Baptist Church, moderates this discussion on the cross with panelists Dave Hammer, pastor of Danville Baptist Church, Rick Harrington, pastor of First Baptist Church of Haverhill, MA and Brian Bethke, pastor of Middleton Congregational Church. PART 1: Exploring the Text Jesus gives clear direction as to who He is and what He is about to do. Peter embraces the person of Christ, but is initially offended by the cross. Why is that the case? Why did a faithful disciple and follower of JEsus take such offense at his prediction of his death? Why did Jesus accuse Peter of doing the Devil's work? Why was it necessary for the Christ to die? Why did he have to die on a Cross?  PART 2: Applying the Text  The Cross is a great offense to many in this world...progressives say that this teaching on the cross is "Divine Child Abuse"...that it is barbaric to think that God would demand blood payment in ord

Easter. It is the day Christians around the globe and throughout history celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is not simply that he came back to life again after dying, a sort of reanimation, but that he was resurrected into an incorruptible and renewed body.  But there is more. Christians believe God is going to similarly restore this entire broken world. He does it by renewing all his creation at a climactic future day. What evidence do we have of this? For one, the resurrection of Jesus. He is the first-fruits of what is coming. What about humanity, do we get restored? Those united to Jesus Christ by faith will one day rise as he did. While the Scriptures teach that our spirits go to be with God immediately after death, to be apart from the body is to be present with the Lord, that has never really been the Christian hope. There will be a final resurrection. On that day, all those in Christ will rise as well in an incorruptible and renewed body. That's wh