Our Heritage: Biblical Reflections on Hillsboro Baptist Church

In his book entitled Mission drift. Peter Greer writes. The following going to paraphrase a little bit. Here is a mission statement of a very well-known University. To be plainly here to hear this, quote to be plainly instructed and consider. Well, that the main end of your life and studies is to know, God, in Jesus Christ. Which university was founded in 1636 at first, the University employee exclusively Christian professors, that emphasized character formation and its students above all else and they routed all of its policies and practices in a Christian worldview. The school served as a Bastion of academic excellence and Christian distinction and this mission statement. However, is not from Dallas Theological Seminary, it's not from Wheaton College, it is from Harvard University. The statement described their founding Mission Harvard began as a school, believe it or not to equip, ministers, to share the good news. And look at where Harvard is today, So, when I bring that up, what's the point on homecoming day? I'll bring that up to say this. We are not immune to this. Any Christian group weather, be a college or seminary such as modern-day Liberty University or Parish Church Ministry like Samaritan's Purse, who does The Shoe Box stuff or this local Church. Hillsborough Baptist Church know all Christian groups are susceptible to experience with experiencing with Mission drift which is just laid in that phrase drifting from the original Mission from which they set out to accomplish and for us as a church for us as Hillsboro to stay. On course, I think it's imperative that we constantly reflect on our original Heritage to reflect on our original purpose. Why are we here in 2023? Tell me the ultimate sense. The way that we accomplished that, the way that we were fresh to stay on task. And on target is my opening. God's word week after week. Right? Expounding the word of God, expounding the text think you re what is our identity? What is our mission? What is our purpose who has God called us to be. That's what we do week after week through the sermon time. And you have to know as Baptist and if you're not a Baptist Church Baptist for these this next hour. Alright. So one thing Baptist or known for Christians in general, but I think through a Baptist is, were known as people of the book I've ever heard that phrase before. We are people of the book, the book referring to the word of God. And I myself, I'm a big Sola scriptura guy, which means I believe the word of God is the authority and is in there and it's perfect. It's sufficient for everything that we need in life. Everything. We think we do, big stole the scripture, a guy. But having said that local church, history is valuable. Church history in general white reflecting on. Where did our ancestors come from? Where do they think through where they wrestle through? But, again, for the context of the day, local church history is valuable it. It's important significant because you, and I, we need a dose of humility because we're not the first people think through these questions. Like, why am I here? One of the first people to think through what is the purpose of the church? Are? We had many ancestors, some of them, your direct ancestors have been a part of this church who wrestled through these topics and prayed through these topics together. And we all would do well to consider. What did I say? What did they think? Today is special because we're kicking off a new series as a church, and by which we Russell through our past present. And future with the goal of staying on Mission, staying on Target on task for the purpose of Christ. And today we're asking a simple question. That is this why did Hillsborough Baptist Church start in the first place? What did our Founders emphasize? What did they focus on back the 1830s? And then next week, Lord willing, I'm going to continue and kind of shift towards a present in Russell through our Doctrine or beliefs and basically asking, what do we believe is a church or the very least, what should we believe, as a church? What are some important things that we should be United on together? And then lastly will reflect on the mission statement and where that leads us into the future in the near future. So for the remainder of our time, this morning on homecoming date, want to look at Hillsboro sounding Constitution and Covenants back from 1839 and I'm not going to read it all for verbatim. If you would like a copy of it, if you'd like to see it with your own eyes, please talk to me afterwards. I'd love to get it into your hands, but I do want to do my back dissect, it more or less line by line because it's it's rich with some good stuff, it just impact, what do they think, what they mean? And offer some biblical Reflections who we ought to be as a church. Reflect on the past not to live in the past, not to just live in the Glory Days and sometimes we can be guilty of reflect on the past so that we can Faithfully live in the present. So why did Hillsboro start back in 1830s? You know what the plane reason is according, to the Constitution and Covenant will simply because they wanted a church in this local area. Keep in mind, this was before the day of cars, you can't just drive to one of a hundred options of churches. Write the Believers in the Crozet. It wasn't called for Jose back then, but the Believers in this area, they want who had a like mind. I had similar convictions similar ideas of what a church ought to be. They simply wanted to worship it locally that's the main reason. Why did Hillsborough start well on here it's close enough to us that we can walk to or a ride to in a reasonable manner. Just a plain reason, but what's the foundational reason? I think this was beautiful stumbling across. This, our Founders wanted to experience Joy. They wanted to start a church here because they want to join in their life. They wanted to experience more joy. How do I know that? Well, here's the literal verbiage for you. Quote, desirous moreover of enjoying the privilege, which pertains to the people of God, in a church relation in a quote, that, in other words, they were saying we want to enjoy the blessing of being in a church Community with all the questions we want. Joy, we want happiness. We want to enjoy the blessing of a local Church community and hear something revolutionary that we all need to hear today to experience joy and a local church. It's not simply a matter of showing up on Sunday morning and expecting the pastor of the musicians and protect you and you walk out feeling good. I take spirits that joy. That is not at all. The intention of the church to experience Joy. You have to work for it. You have to work hard for it and our Founders knew this. I defeat, let's, let's just say in theory, if you were going to run the Charlottesville, 10, miler assume this is joy for you. Just for a moment to spend any kind of physical limitations or mental barriers, you might have to that Imaginext joyful to do that, to experience that you have to put in work. You had there's some components in your life that you have to follow, right? I need to get up at this time to run at this hour. I need to eat these types of foods. I need to do this and that you need to work for that. Join us for anything. In life. You want to go on a vacation while I need to work overtime so I can save up a little more. We get that to experience joy in life. You have to put in the work. That's true for us as a church as well. So I hope you all are ready and eager to buckle up. I'm usually a three-point guy for in terms of Stroman the day, we're going over, 14 marks of what a church must be. Keep in mind, is going to be many points are right? So you can evaluate how long there are 14 marks, right? This is found in the Constitution Covenant, 14 Marsh of what a church ought to be as We Gather so that we stay on Mission and on task number one, We Gather voluntarily We Gather voluntarily, we're not here by compulsion. I hope you're not here because you're forced to be here. We're here because we want to be here. The truth and 2nd Corinthians 9:7 applies to this. That that verse says, each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give not reluctantly or under compulsion for God, loves a cheerful Giver That verse is explicitly about giving or giving you money. Giving Tides offerings that principle applies to Gathering the Lord doesn't want us to be in here solely because we're dragging our feet so early because I have to be here. I want to be here for the lord loves one who gathers cheerfully who gathers eagerly out of their own volition. And I hope that describes, you write such a church. We need to gather voluntarily number, to We Gather to serve the Lord and serve one. Another And that verbiage of our Founders. They said, quote, we want to give up ourselves under unto the Lord. And to one another, we don't really use that language. They only give up myself to somebody at church, maybe in marriage we do but not in the church contacts but that's what they intended. We come to serve the Lord and to serve other people. And is you in your life? As you are looking for Church to join, whether you're part of one or looking for one? I personally think it's vitally important that you do come to be fat, there's multiple reasons of Why We Gather on Sundays, but one of the primary reasons is I need to be fat. I need the word of God. I need to digest in in have an intake of the meat, in the milk of God's word. That's important, right? I get that having said that it is wrong if we gather for that reason alone because we didn't come not just to be served but to what the footsteps of our savior to serve for Jesus, did not come to be served but to serve give his life out as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45. So it is wrong to be clear on this. It is wrong. If you exclusively or if you for mostly think about a church weather, be in Hillsborough your own local contacts. If you think, how does this church perfectly aligned with my desires in my preferences? How did this church perfectly cater to what I want in life? How can I what can I get out of it? Others questioned, spare to ask extreme here to wrestle through. Those thing, is this a place where I can be fed where I can grow, where I can survive? I get that, but it's wrong. If that's your sole Focus. We ought to ask As We Gather. How can I use my time? My money, my talents to serve the Lord through this church. That needs to be our attitude as Christians of number 2. Number 3, We Gather as a church, quote, according to his word. Cheese the verbiage of Ephesians, 4:21 Hillsborough Baptist Church needs to be a church that is in quote, in accordance with the truth. It is in Jesus. All of our operations. Everything we do must be guided by this. What we always do that perfectly? No, we never will but none the last. That's what we ought to strive for continually remind ourselves of, this is the authority. This is the truth. Let's be conformed to what Christ is lay down. We Gather, according to his word, that's why she statement know God's word. That's why it's primary, it's him, it's a first important. Know, the word of God number for why do we gather or how should we gather We Gather is one body under one head? We Are One Church serving one master 1st Corinthians, 12 is the essential text on this occurred you to read it in your own time but their first Corinthians 12, it repeatedly states, there are many parts. There are many members, many different gifts, many different personalities, right? For the day's contacts. Some of you here, present, some of you like to talk, others of you are, rather quiet. Some of you can sing on key others of you, well, the Lord bless you. All right. We all the point is we all need one another. We cannot discount anybody because they don't perfectly conform to my personality. Says you need everyone. I want everyone to be in harmony with one another. We are one body and we gather as such serving our one head, Jesus Christ, number five. We Gather quote that again from there cuz we gather quote to exist and act by the rules of the Gospel. To exist, an act by the rules of the Gospel that sounds similar to according to the word of God, gather. According to the word, but this is a little more nuanced, a little more specific exist and everything we do in life. All of our actions, Oliver speech Oliver thoughts, everything must be governed by the word of God. So that means practically when you're about to be in line for food. In a few moments, the person in front of you is taking their sweet time. Looking over everything.

The gospel shapes. How you treat them? And how is that? With patience with Grace with compassion, right? Because that's how the Lord treats us in Christ. That's the whole point. How does God treat us? That's how we treat others. Our actions must be shaped by the gospel number five. Number six, As We Gather quote, we promise to do all things by Divine assistance. Our Founders, they knew that all of this church talk was of the highest order. This is some high-level stuff. Some very daunting things to live up to the new that. So they said, in everything we do is a church every Ministry, every capacity, everything we do, we promise to do all things, by Divine assistance. What does that mean for your night brothers and sisters? We need the spirit of God. A lamp that is not plugged in is worthless and likewise a church. That is not actively and continually plugged into the power of the spirit of God is worthless if you and I do not seek the spirit if we do not live, according to the spirit, we are wasting our time and I'm not talking about going necessarily crazy and that you have to speak in tongues and all that much mention that I'm talking about leaving in with the power of the spirit. We need to do that as a church. Number 7, We Gather quote to deny ourselves take up our cross and follow Christ. Words that mean full sermons can be preached on that, right? Deny yourself picking up your cross following Jesus. I simply say this. Gathering in a local church is not easy. It is not easy. It takes hard work, it takes perseverance persistence and a whole lot of forgiveness. Alright, whole lot of took the title together but it is very worth it. Jesus, Hebrews chapter 12 for the joy, that was set before him. What did he do? He endured the sufferings of the cross for the joy, that was on the other end, right? I'm not saying that a church Gathering his church. Being a church member Mustang. Not too easy. And it's very hard. But God says, if you persevere if you persist, if you forgive, if you love one, another there is joy in the morning fight for the joy of the Lord. That's what I say. Why? I say, every Sunday we are broken church has broken people and I'm not trying to pretend like Hillsboro's is perfect. Beacon on a hill, right? We're broken people. But if we strive to serve one another endure, the hardships together will then there will be joy. As you may have heard, those like pastoral phrases instruments that I just was not originally made for this but there's no testimony without a test. There's no Crown without a cross. There's no Victory without a fight, right? That's true. In the Christian Life. That's true in a Christian Church. Great Smile over halfway there. I just told you this is going to go fast right, number eight, We Gather. So we'll quote, keep the faith. This is Timothy 4:7. This is where Paul said. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. What is that mean? If you unpack that verse that, passage the same theme pops up. The Christian life is hard. I've kept the faith, I've held on to the faith, I have endured to the end.

The past couple years by the grace of God. That one thing I was doing was running the marathon in Richmond Virginia and, cuz I'm strong person. One of the only ways practically I can do it is one they have snack stations throughout all right. Number to, there's a huge crowd of people scattered throughout the marathon that just bolster you wanted to say, keep going, keep going. As far as the, only way I can do many people can do it cuz it's hard to do that on your own. If you're just in silence on a treadmill, right? As it's pretty hard to endure that long. Similarly, with the Christian Life, right? To endure to persevere to get through the hardships, you need Christian Community. You need others to encourage you, to tell you to keep going. I know it's hard right now, but keep going. I'm here to run alongside you to walk. Outside of you. I'm here for you. Keep going. That's what it means to keep the faith. We need one, another despising the number 9, We Gather quote to assemble ourselves together They might be one animal pasture. Isn't that a little bit redundant? We Gather to assemble ourselves together. Yes, the 18th and that is redundant, but in 2023 in this culture, where it's so tempting to just open up your laptop or look at your phone. And thank, you know, what if I just watched this sermon or the service at this church, somewhere with an uncovered, I met my quota for the week. That is absolute hogwash. If that's all you do. Okay, be clear on that. Not saying it's not beneficial and supplemental to enjoy those things. I do that myself, but you and I need face-to-face fellowship with God's people. Hebrews chapter 10, 2425 let us consider how we may spur one. Another, on towards love and Good Deeds. He was that famous phrase, not giving up a meeting together as summer in the habit of doing but encouraging, one, another and all the more as you see the day approaching. 2nd John, which the men's bible study, we just went over that. Second round is the shortest book in the Bible by verse counts 13 verses John says in verse 12. I must write to you. This is at the ending of the letter. I must write to you. But I do not want to use paper and ink instead I hope to visit you and talk with you face-to-face. So that why? So that our joy can be complete. There's something special and Powerful about simply being together. It's hard to scientifically part set apart and give you precise why powerful? But think about your own home that the Supper meal or dinner called dinner, the stuff for the evening meal gathering around the table. It doesn't necessarily matter what the conversation how it may steer but there's something powerful about being together around the table that you can't just scientifically argue for. That's what I'm talking about. The local church. We need to be face-to-face. Number 10. We Gather quote to love the brethren. Romans 12:10 be devoted to one another in love honor. One another above yourselves. Is the Apostle Paul stayed in the 1st? Corinthians? 13. If you give all your money to the church, if you serve it in all the committee's, all the different places where you can serve in the church and volunteer to go to all the Bible studies. If you teach, If You Preach, if you do all of this stuff but you do not have love. It is worthless. So as We Gather its Central that we love the brethren, we love one another, we show God's love for one another. Number 11, We Gather quote to submit one to another in the Lord. This comes from Ephesians 5:20 as submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. How does one submit I've ever thought about that? How do you submit to one another in the church just think about the most basic sense of the word submission or submit. But what is it? An attitude of You above me a plain straightforward way of thinking through it, you above me and our Founders knew that as We Gather, it's not about a starting. My own preference of starting my own ideas. It's about putting others above myself, submitting one to another in the Lord, Number 12, We Gather quote to Bear one another's, burdens comes from Galatians 6, to hear each other's burdens. And in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. How many of y'all have seen? Lord of the Rings Mercy by show fans. How many of you have not seen it a show of hands if you see the Curiosity? Okay, that's all right, have you? At least heard of it? I bet you haven't seen it. Turn the movie. To the main characters or Frodo and a guy named Sam. Samwise gamgee Frodo is carrying what's known as the ring of power. It's this kind of demonic powerful dark ring the intention. The whole point of movies, we need to take it to Mountain, which is this volcano place and just drop it in the lava. So it'll be destroyed to Vanquish evil, right? That's kind of the whole thrust of the movie. Frodo is the one carrying it around his neck on a chain? But the, the last movie, the third one is very moving scene, very famous scene, and which Samwise gamgee his partner travel. Companion says to Frodo, I can't carry it for you referring to the ring. I cannot carry that ring for you but I can carry you. Then Sam proceed to put Frodo. Fireman carry, walks up the volcano to throw the ring in the side is very beautiful image of what we are called to do, is Christian, right. Literally, we may not be able to carry the burdens that you may be going through. Get to literally take it upon myself and it's literally my problem, but we can carry you carry one another through, through our prayer prayers and through our presence. That's how we carry one another in the church, through our prayers, to our presence. That's why we gather right? Cuz Christian life is hard, life is hard in general, we need one. Another number 13, We Gather quote to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. I said this before this, that comes from Ephesians 4, might be familiar with that. Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of Peace. I've said this before, but the devil does not care about how big a church is. He could care less. What scares the devil is if a church is unit is United or unified. That's not just United in general, because they're plenty of churches around here and in the country and around the world did the United but the united in sin United in error, right? What scares him and what God love conversely is being united in the truth. Being united in the spirit of God. So the church to continually why we talked about all this, remember to experience the joy of the Lord in the church to do that, we must strive for you Spirit? How do we do that practically? What is that look like? It's kind of a vague concept strive for Unity in the spirit. Well, who is the spirit called Spirit of Truth. His word is truth. We're United in the truth. That's why we open God's word week after week. if only my brother and sisters number 14, it was a little awkward for me to to say, but you'll get Why We Gather quote to honor and man and maintain them that have rule over us in the Lord. Right? It's a little awkward for me but it is biblical and I do have to say it because it is replete throughout scripture throughout the New Testament particular. Hebrews 13 verse 11 and verse 17 says, remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you when we're 17 have confidence in your leaders and submit to their Authority because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. I want to hear that when I'm here, that I think it's quick for us to always immediately point to the other side of the coin. I think, will that leader or my leader? My pastor whatever, will they need to be the ones, living the good life. They need to be that parent person of integrity and living an honorable way so that I will honor them. Is that true? Absolutely right. Two sides of the same coin But remember that's on them. Your call to honor and it's not yet understand, this is not about finding the perfect. Pastor is supporting the perfect leader cuz you will never find one. This is about God's structure. What I mean by that, think about God's design of authority children honor your parents. Because your parents are perfect. Because I said, so right, this is the order I've created. Everybody everybody here today, honor the government honor. The president honor your leaders, the government leaders over, you doesn't mean you have to love them. You have to vote for them. That means to honor them. Same thing with church people or Christians and pastors are leaders, honor them because they're perfect, but because this is the order that I called you, too, It's her son. Just a practically, right? It's kind of awkward for me to bring up by what's the greatest way that you might be able to honor me? It's not about me extend it but that was the greatest way. You honor me Tell my titles, it's not by even gifts, although there will appreciate it. I love you. Everybody loves gift, that's not the greatest way. You honor the greatest way you honor. Someone is my praying for them. Think about the same thing with government leaders. How do you honor them practically pray for them? To church, please pray for me. Pray that I may Proclaim Christ clearly that I might live a life before the Lord and then I might declare God's word fearlessly as Paul himself requested in Colossians infusions of that. Those churches there church family and guests who have come home for this mini reunions. I end by saying this there is joy to be found in the church. There is joy to be found in the church. There is happiness that comes from gathering with God's people. But for us for Hillsborough Baptist Church to experience that Joy of Fellowship. We must work hard. It's not easy. It is not cheap. We must work hard because it's very costly. But it's worth it. It is worth it. The church. Let's work hard so that we may not drift. Let's work hard. So, that will stay on task and on target for the mission of Christ, for which he initially set us out to achieve.

Conclusion, will you join me in prayer? And then we will close with the doxology and will be dismissed.

A father as has already been Echo this morning. We thank you for the 184 years of faithfulness to what you shown this church. This church has been through a lot of ups and downs, a lot of transitions. A lot of different people moving in and out.

The father are desire here. It's for us to continue to remain a beacon of light in this community.

Did you help us to speak the truth to do so in love? Did you help us to stand upon the inerrancy? The Perfection the sufficiency of your word. Did you help us to be a church that loves one another? That loves the lost? Did you help us to be a church? That is active and passionate about missions about spreading the gospel around the world? Holy spirit is our Founders acknowledged. We need you. We need your Divine assistance to do these very, very hard things that you called us to do. But we know that through your power through your presents that we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us? Help us to rely upon Christ has to seek to glorify him. The father, please, Unitas now, as we go, our separate ways, please be with those who have gone to other churches, who are visiting for the day. Help them to be faithful in their local context and father, help us to not give up on the church, for the church may have given up on us, at times, we do so not because the church is perfect, but because that's your very hard, you don't give up on your church, she don't give up on your people. Help us to have your heart to remain committed to remain passionate, it's For Your Glory that we pray. These things, things, you in Jesus name, And in Leslie Lord one more thing pray that you'll please bless our fellowship, time downstairs. I thank you for those who have contributed food, those who organized it set up tables. Let's our fellowship time, thank you for the blessing of being united together with your family. I commit these things to you in Jesus name. Amen.