Berean Baptist Church

Berean Baptist Church There is a famine of the knowledge of God in our country. We seek to address this need at Berean.

05/31/2026

Sunday 5/31 Why is it God's love for us to obey His commandments, part 3

Sunday 5/31 outline
05/31/2026

Sunday 5/31 outline

Wednesday 5/27
05/28/2026

Wednesday 5/27

05/26/2026

Sunday 5/24 radio message, Memorial Day

Hello, I am Charles Scheele, the pastor of Berean Baptist Church here in Tomahawk. How is everyone doing today?

This is Memorial Day weekend, a time we set aside to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in serving our country. It would be great if freedom could be the privilege of every man, woman, and child; and if it could be gotten without war or the loss of human life. But this has not been the experience of mankind. Instead, freedom has had to be bought with blood and sacrifice. And often it is maintained only by the same means; as in our war for independence from England, and then 80 years later in our war against slavery.

But since then we have not had to face such a bloody contest on our continent. Sure, there have been struggles in the courts and sometimes on the streets in order to more fully realize those freedoms purchased in war, because we are sinners and are not always obedient to what is right; but we have not had to face war itself. And I wonder about that. Why have we have been so fortunate in this regard, to have maintained in peace the freedoms we enjoy when other countries have not? What has made our experience so different from that of other countries? I have my thoughts on this, from what God explains in the Bible. One Historian of the late 1800's, in reviewing the lessons of history said it this way:

“The forms and forces of national life take their rise in the religion of the people.

"National life is feeble or strong according as the faith of the people is faint or vigorous. The fruitful periods of a nation's history are those during which religion is flourishing, periods of religious declension are marked by the withering of all social and political vitality. Literature and art have no such vital relation to political institutions; they may flourish without invigorating national life and fail without enfeebling it. They have often attained to their highest development during periods of national decay, and some of their finest forms have sprung up amid political ruins. But such is not the case with religion. When it withers the state wanes. When faith begins to perish, all else begins to die.”

When we look at the history of our country, there is one thing that sets America apart from other countries, and that is the role that the religion of Jesus Christ, as explained in the New Testament, has played in her history.

America has experienced four major religious revivals in her history, that affected the whole of the nation, each revival lasting from one to ten years. These religious revivals crossed denominational boundaries, but generally ignored the liturgical churches with their rituals. These revivals promoted the simple faith in Jesus Christ that is taught in the New Testament, the preaching of Jesus’ message being the most common element of those revivals. And even though most Americans never embraced the faith of Christ, its influence was felt throughout the country, contributing to national life through the influences of Bible morality and an increased sense of public responsibility. This being Memorial Day weekend, let me add the observation that these revivals came before times that threatened the life of our country.

The Revival of 1740 preceded the French and Indian War and our own war for independence from England. To understand Christianity’s influence in that time, read our Declaration of Independence, and its declaration that our rights for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is a gift from the Creator, and the responsibility of government is to guard those God given rights.

The Second Great Awakening of 1800 preceded our contest with Britain in the War of 1812, a war in which our independence was nearly lost. We see the belief that our freedoms are a gift from God in our national anthem, written by Francis Scott Key during that war.

The great prayer revival of 1858 saw an unusually large number of slaves converted to the message of Jesus Christ. Some historians say that revival may have prevented any major slave rebellions during the Civil War, which would have resulted in the additional shedding of civilian blood. We also see the influence of that revival in the words of The Battle Hymn of the Republic, written at that time.

And then there was the prayer revival of 1905 that preceded America’s involvement in World War I, and some historians speculate that it may have laid the moral foundations that helped carry America through the Great Depression without a massive rise in crime and rioting. Let me quote a couple of men who understand the influence the teachings of the New Testament has had in America’s history.

Noah Webster, an educator who wrote the first American dictionary in 1828, once said, "The religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and his Apostles ... to this we owe our free constitutions of government."

John Adams, the second president of the United States said, "We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to govern any other.”

Thomas Jefferson, the general writer of our Declaration of Independence, and third president of the United States, asked his generation this question, "Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a condition in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? that they are not to be violated but with his wrath? I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever." These words, are also carved in stone in the Jefferson Memorial in Washington DC., asking us this same question today.

On Memorial Day we must not forget the toil and the sacrifice of those who have paid much for the freedoms we now enjoy, freedoms that are taught in the religion of Jesus Christ and known in our history. Do we understand this today? Where others have died for these principles, may we remember and protect them with the same vigor, remembering where our freedoms come from.

My time is up. If you have any questions you would like to have me address on this program, or if you would like a free transcript of what I have just said; you can find the transcript on Facebook, and you can contact me by calling me at 715-453-3407, or write to me at Berean Baptist Church of Tomahawk, or email me at [email protected]. I also want to take this time to invite you to listen to our Sunday morning and Wednesday night services on Facebook and You Tube, or to attend our Sunday School and discussion at 9:30, our Morning Service at 10:45, and our Wednesday night Bible Study at 7:00. We also invite you to read our Ask the Pastor article in the Tomahawk Leader. Until we meet again, may God bless you, and may it be your purpose in life to know this God who has made you.

05/26/2026

Scripture Reading Challenge, Revelation 14

Verses 1 through 5 introduce us to Jesus Christ, the lamb of God, and His redeemed from the tribulation. The 144,000 from Revelation 7, are the “first fruits” (verse 4) in that they are the first to turn to Christ in the tribulation, whose ministry will lead to a great multitude of converts (Revelation 7:9-17); God’s name probably being the seal they were given (Revelation 7:3). They “were not defiled with women; for they are virgins” is probably referring to the idea of 1 Corinthians 7:32-34, in that being single, they were free to go wherever and do whatever the Lamb sent them; they had no competing obligations.

Verses 6 and 7 introduce us to the Everlasting Gospel. It is the Everlasting Gospel because it has been God’s only requirement of mankind since creation, to believe and worship our Creator. This is something we have disobeyed in our sin.

Verse 8 speak of God’s final judgment against Babylon. In Genesis 10:9,10; 11:1-9, Babylon is presented as the source of the first open rebellion against God – the tower of Babel. This rebellion against God, which brings God’s judgment, is the her wine of fornication that all nations have drunk from.

Verses 9 through 11 declares God’s eternal judgment against the people who will choose to worship and follow the beat (Antichrist); it is the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-15; 21:8), the eternal prison of all who refuse to believe God, even Satan and his demons will end up there (Revelation 20:10). Continuing the picture of God’s wrath as a wine that all His enemies will drink, sometimes wine would be mixed with water so it would not be so intoxicating, or mixed with spices to make it more flavorful; but here, it will be pure wrath with no holding back and nothing to lighten its judgment.

Verses 12 and 13 speak of the two-fold nature of the patience of the saints: (1) first, they are faithful to Christ even in the face of persecution, and (2) second, God will reward them after their suffering in this life has come to an end, with rest and recognition for their suffering.

Verses 14 through 16 record the harvest of believers from the earth in the tribulation, a harvest that Jesus gathers as the one who won this right (victor’s crown -- stephanos) through His sacrifice of Himself for them (Revelation 5:9,10; 6:11:17, Hebrews 2:9). The angel comes from the temple in Heaven, picturing the Father’s command to the Son, saying it is time; reminding us of the submission of the Son to His Father’s will even in the salvation of the lost (John 17:2,6,12). Even in times of judgment, God is still gathering a people for His own – reaping from the earth. This harvest is a blessing, Christ harvesting a people for Himself.

Verses 17 through 20 is the reaping of the vine of the earth, processing the judgment that this world has earned through its wickedness. The angel coming from the temple is a picture that God has sent him to harvest the vine of the earth (verse 7, also see Matthew 13:41). Here, in the harvest of “the vine of the earth,” the grapes are presented as being over ripe, ready to burst (verse 18); the judgment God is sending is not unjust, but fully earned. The second angel comes from the altar, a place where sins were judged by fire in the daily sacrifices upon the altar before the temple upon the earth. The winepress spoken of here may be referring to the final battle at which Christ returns, the battle of of Armageddon (Revelation 19, Zechariah 12,14). 1,600 furlongs is about 200 miles, almost the length of Israel north to south.

The scripture reading challenge this week is Revelation 15. I ask that in reading through the book of Revelation, that you focus on what it says about God’s blessings on obedience, and His judgment upon sin. Please read through this chapter with a focus on learning the character, judgment, and justice of God.

05/24/2026

Sunday 5/24 1 John 5:1-3 Why is it God's love for us to obey His commandments? Part 2

Sunday 5/24 outline
05/24/2026

Sunday 5/24 outline

05/21/2026

Wednesday 5/20 1 John 1, introduction and why John wrote the book

Wednesday 5/20 outline
05/20/2026

Wednesday 5/20 outline

05/18/2026

Sunday 5/17 radio message, What is a Christian, part 5

Hello, I am Charles Scheele, the pastor of Berean Baptist Church here in Tomahawk. How is everyone doing today?

Before Mother’s Day, we had been looking at, what I believe, are the two best criteria for judging a person’s Christian faith: 1) do they desire to please God in what they say and do, and 2) how do they treat other people in the ordinary, everyday affairs of life. In connection with this, we have looked at what Jesus said were the two greatest commands in the Bible: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbor as we already love our self. For today I would like to look at these things as they relate to troubles in life.

We shall start today with Romans 5. Verses 1 and 2 read, “...being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” These verses speak of how anyone can have peace with God through Jesus Christ. Jesus, in His life, death on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead, in God’s grace, brings forgiveness to any sinner who will believe. We rejoice with confidence because of the grace of God that justifies us through Jesus Christ. It is also a reason to love God. But what I would like to focus on today, is what we are told in verses 3 through 5.

We are told in verses 3 through 5 that just as we rejoice in hope over the salvation we have in Jesus Christ, we can also rejoice in hope as we face the troubles of life. Just as God saves us by His grace, so does He hold the troubles of life with love and grace for us who believe Him. Let me read verses 3 through 5 to you now; (3) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (4) And patience, experience; and experience, hope: (5) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

In verse 3 we are told that not only can we who believe rejoice in hope because we have peace with God through Jesus Christ, but to the same extent we can also rejoice during our troubles in life; because it is the same God who has designed that our troubles will work for our benefit. How does this work? First, we are told, the troubles of life teach us patience.

The word here translated patience does not mean we sit around waiting for something to happen. The patience that verse three says the troubles of life teach us is the idea that instead of running from the trouble, we face it head on and work through it. This word is also translated endurance, and literally means to remain under. It is the picture of setting up camp and seeing the situation through. It is an active patience -- actively doing what I can to work through the situation with God’s guidance.

Like anything in the Bible where we are encouraged to be actively doing something, we are never encouraged to do something just for the sake of doing something. We are always commanded to be doing on purpose what we know God says is right, whenever we do something. This patience is the same here. Instead of trying to escape from a situation, we are to be actively seeking to obey what God says as we work through the situation. It is a patience that tries to obey God in the trial in which God has placed us.

Romans 5:3 says we can glory in the troubles of life because we know that under God’s guidance we will learn patience, facing the situation and actively trying to obey what we know God says about it. One theme we will find throughout the Bible, is that when we are obedient to God in a situation, it will never be wasted time. In verse four it goes on to say that through the patience we learn, we will then gain experience.

This word translated experience means a lesson learned. When the God who loves us enough to give us His Son for our salvation, when He does anything, we can be sure that he has something good for us in that situation. In this case it says that we learn patience, so that we see the situation through. And through that patience, we gain experience we could learn no other way. God often uses the troubles of life to teach us those important lessons, if trouble is what it takes. But we will only learn those lessons if we face those trials by working through them, obeying God in the situation in which He places us. In verse four, we read that through the lesson learned, we gain hope.

How many times have we faced a situation and thought, “I can’t do this!” and we try to avoid it. Then we are backed into a corner and are forced to face the situation. After we work through the situation, we look back and say, “That wasn’t so bad. I hope I never have to deal with that again, but if I have to, at least I now know what I can do it.” That is the idea here. Romans 5:3,4 says we can glory in the troubles of life because those troubles, in the hands of the God who has given us His Son for our salvation, He has designed for those troubles to give us patience and experience, and then hope.

In verse five we find one more thing, we read that with the hope, we find we have nothing to be disappointed or embarrassed about, because we will see that through the trouble God was helping us as we obeyed Him in the situation. This is what we would call the troubles of life being sanctified by the purpose of God to benefit His people.

The Bible says in Romans 8:28,29 that whatever God brings into the life of His people, its ultimate goal is for our good, to make us more like Jesus Christ in our character. Jesus perfectly obeyed the two greatest commands of the Bible - to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbor. God said that is what He wants us to do, and if it takes trouble in life to see that accomplished in us, then God will see us through our troubles as we obey Him.

But be warned, if we do not obey God in our troubles, then we will not know God’s help as we face the trouble, and God’s purpose of making us more like Christ will not happen. What will we do?

My time is up. If you have any questions you would like to have me address on this program, or if you would like a free transcript of what I have just said; you can find the transcript on Facebook, and you can contact me by calling me at 715-453-3407, or write to me at Berean Baptist Church of Tomahawk, or email me at [email protected]. I also want to take this time to invite you to listen to our Sunday morning and Wednesday night services on Facebook and You Tube, or to attend our Sunday School and discussion at 9:30, our Morning Service at 10:45, and our Wednesday night Bible Study at 7:00. We also invite you to read our Ask the Pastor article in the Tomahawk Leader. Until we meet again, may God bless you, and may it be your purpose in life to know this God who has made you.

Address

19 N 3rd Street
Tomahawk, WI
54487

Opening Hours

Wednesday 7pm - 8:30pm
Sunday 9am - 12:45pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Berean Baptist Church posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category