Dr. (and Elder) Sam Hamstra
Sam Hamstra 00:00
About 15 years ago, Debbie, my wonderful wife and I built a small cabin in the North Woods of Wisconsin. About 100 miles north of Green Bay, away from a lot of people. That's kind of what pastors do. You know, we work with people, then we want to get away from people.
Sam Hamstra 00:47
And though, you know, I'm kind of in the woods up there, I've made some friendships, I built some relationships on one of them was with a neighbor on one side, we have a great relationship. He doesn't speak English, and I don't speak Polish. We're just kind of not good. And then, on the other side, I got a great relationship with the couple there. The wife, Beth, is a physician at the local hospital and I just love having a neighbor nearby just gives you a certain kind of peace, doesn't it, to have a physician next door? And then I've got a handy-andy dude named Ted. Because if you don't know that I'm the son of a garbage man. And my favorite tool is a sledge hammer. And I need a handy-andy to help me fix things. But my real go-to guy, the guy I love more than anyone else, is my plumber. I try if you're going to have a place up in the north woods, you need a great relationship with your plumber. I never know what the guy's name is. I just call him my plumber. I know he's from Goodman, Wisconsin, and the name of the company is Good Men. So I guess I could just call him a good man. But really, he's just my plumber. I don't know what I do without him because over the years, I've had to call on him to crawl into my crawlspace and fix a pipe that cracked over the winter. I've had to have him come out and replace my hot water heater, replaced the pump and my well, replace a toilet, and even empty my septic tank. I love my plumber— did I tell you that he's reliable? When I call he shows up. He does a great job. He even has a key to my place. So he can cry this column and he'll go there and fix whatever I need fixing.
Sam Hamstra 03:00
I love that, I tell you, I love my plumber. And I love the Lord, who, like my plumber, responds to my every call. He steps into my mess. fixes my broken pipes, shows up when I call them, answers my every prayer
Sam Hamstra 03:32
He's reliable. He's trustworthy, he's faithful. His love and grace are never-ending his mercy overflows and I've given him the keys of my life now you may be wondering about this comparison between my plumber and my God I was prompted to reflect on this after reading a book by a New York artist and author. His name is Michael Fujimura. I just love saying that. Michael Fujimura and wrote this book called "Art and Faith."
Sam Hamstra 04:19
Michael suggests that—me, you, us — too many of us have a deficient view of God that when push comes to shove we view our God much likely view our plumber.
Sam Hamstra 04:45
You know he's the person we call on to fix the broken pipes of our lives. And he always shows up; he calls it plumbing theology. I think he tips his hat to NT right for that little phrase. And with no disrespect intended for plumbers because I've already said I love my plumber. He encourages his readers to hold a more expansive view of God. Now, I don't know about you, but I admit initially being offended by the idea that my relationship with the Lord is similar to my relationship with my plumber.
Sam Hamstra 05:38
But the more I thought about it, the more I realized he was right. God is my plumber. God is the one I call on to fix the broken pipes in my life.
Sam Hamstra 05:57
God is the one who empties the septic tank of my soul. Yeah, I have a plumbing theology. And I'm in good company. Because throughout Scripture, I read of men and women who asked God to fix the broken pipes of their lives. They were sick and received healing. They were barren and became pregnant, they were weak, and they became strong. They were hungry and receive provision. They were sinking deep and center were lifted up; they were outnumbered, and yet one to victory. And they called on the ward and door broke, fix the broken pipes of their lives, and they praise the Lord, the source of all their blessings. They love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength for the great things he has done.
Sam Hamstra 06:55
And perhaps you're like me? You love your plumber. I hope you do. Is anybody married to a plumber today? I didn't think this crowd would have one. I'm going. I'm preaching for a couple of weeks. I think I'll have a couple in the audience there.
Sam Hamstra 07:14
Yeah, I love my plumber. I hope you love your plumber. I hope you got a good one. And I hope you love the word who like your plumber, fixes the broken pipes in your life. But here's the question that I'm wrestling with what happens when that which is broken can't be fixed. Oh, don't give me your pious mumbo jumbo that we worship a God who does all things he can do the impossible. I don't see those grade school students in Texas rising from the grave anytime soon. Families have been broken and destroyed. And I don't see those Ukrainian Christians returning to their destroyed homes anytime soon. What happens my friends, when that which is broken in life can't be fixed when you have to simply live with what you have?
Sam Hamstra 08:56
It is then that we need a God who is far more than a plumber
Sam Hamstra 09:11
No disrespect intended to plumbers. But when that which is broken can't be fixed. We need a God who is more than a plumber. First of all, we have a God who is a plumber. Who do we pray to when that which is broken can't be fixed. And to whom do we place our hope? When that which is broken can't be fixed. We need a God who is far more than a plumber. And we find such a God and the book of Revelation chapter four and five, my wife said to me, before I came, she said, "What are you preaching on?" and I said "Revelation." And said, "Oh, my, that's gonna be bad."
Sam Hamstra 10:15
I'm married to a woman who says what's ever on her mind? Let me tell you a little bit about the book of Revelation before we just go to it.
Sam Hamstra 10:24
The book was written by the apostle John. At a time when he was most likely the only apostle living. All the others had died a martyr's death. All the others had been killed for the faith, except John. In fact, John is the only one who dies of natural death. The book was written during a time of great tribulation for the Christians— think of Ukraine, and that will give you an idea. The Christians were being persecuted by the Romans. The Romans considered Christianity a threat to the Empire because Christians spoke of Christ as their ruler, and as the king of a kingdom. So the Romans thought the Christians guilty of treason, you can worship no other king, but Rome. So on that basis, they arrested imprisoned, and killed many followers of Jesus, they did this actually for 300 years, beginning with Nero in the 60s, and then in the 90s, a depiction up all the way until 300 A.D. And the book was written for Christians, who were experiencing the suffering and disappointment, who are crying out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken us?" and asking with job why the heathen prosper and evil flourishes. In other words, it was written to Christians for whom that which was broken, could not be fixed. And it was written as a message of hope, to those who need a God who is far more than a plumber. No disrespect to plumbers. The core of the message is shared in a vision that we're going to read in Revelation four and five. And this vision serves as a postscript to the previous vision of the letters to the seven churches, and a prelude to all that follows, including the seven seals of tribulation. And the vision was given to the early Christians, to remind to assure them that they will experience tribulation, as will be described, and the seals of vision of the seals. And yet, no matter what happens on Earth, they should never forget that God and God alone is suffering. That in the midst of the mess in the midst of the destruction in the midst of the sorrow, they should gaze upon the one who is a king of kings and Lord of lords.
Sam Hamstra 12:17
A simple message. Frankly, it's just hard to grasp it because it's so simple.
Sam Hamstra 13:37
But one I trust will resonate with you today. I'm going to read the vision in four parts. I'm going to ask you to listen as I read.
Sam Hamstra 13:50
And imagine what is described. The book of Revelation is, I'm sure you've heard apocalyptic literature, a short word for apocalyptic literature. It's like an animated motion picture by Disney. All right, that's just kind of the big, bold colors.
Sam Hamstra 14:08
So just think, animated Beauty and the Beast revelation four, one through six. "I looked. And there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me, like a trumpet, said, Come up here, and I'll show you what must take place after this. And then once I was in the spirit, and there'll be for me was a throne in heaven, which someone sitting on it and the one who sat there had the appearance of Jasper and carnelian, we might say If diamonds and rubies and a rainbow resembling an emerald circled the throne, and surrounding the throne were 24 other thrones, and seated on them were 24 elders, they were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. before the throne, there were seven lamps believes, the seven spirits of God. And before the throne, there was a sea of glass, as clear as crystal.'
Sam Hamstra 15:48
Notice with me in this first part of the vision, the throne of God. The word thrown dominates the vision in these two chapters and occurs 46 times in the entire book, 19 times in these two chapters, 17 times with reference to the throne of God. It's pretty clear what John wants us to focus on in the midst of our trial and tribulation, the throne of God, and God the Father sitting on the throne, but John can't even describe him. So he describes his radiant appearance as precious gems and jewels, and the flesh of jewelry portrays God's majesty. The Throne in Heaven is positioned in the center, not of heaven, as we will learn shortly, but of the universe, for every creature in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and all that as in them as worshiping the lamb on the throne. So the throne here clearly represents the glory of God, the sovereignty of God, above all, the confusion of the world. He reminds us that the world is not without a ruler; it is not rolling on from age to age, like a ship without a pilot. It has a guide, a king, whose throne is established on high. And as a result, our affairs rest not in the hands of people but of God. And when struggles come and they will and stuff breaks that cannot be fixed happen. Let us catch a vision, says John of the throne that rules the universe. In the midst of our trial, may our gaze be riveted upon the one who was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Revelation 4:1, the throne of God, and now verse 7-11, we continue in the center, around the throne, ready for this, were four living creatures. And they were covered with eyes and front and back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second like an ox, the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle. And each of the creatures for living creatures had six wings, covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Dan Knight, they never stopped saying, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty who was and is to come. And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne, who lives forever, the 24 elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say You are worthy our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power for you created all things, and by your will, they were created and have their being.
Sam Hamstra 19:21
The first part of the vision was the throne of God. The second part of the vision is dominated by the worship of God, this large and diverse congregation joining in worship for living creatures who may represent all living creatures, an entire community of the redeemed, represented by the 24 Elders wearing their crown or garments of holiness and their crowns of victory 24 to represent the 12 patriarchs of the Old Testament and the 12 apostles of the new and this aspect of the vision speak to us for confirms that our purpose as a people created in the image of God is to glorify Him and enjoy him forever.
Sam Hamstra 20:15
We may lose everything. But we have a God who is sovereign; overall, a God whom we may worship with our hurts, bodies, minds, and soul.
Sam Hamstra 20:37
We may not be what we used to be; we may not be able to do what we used to do. A bunch of stuff is broken that just can't be fixed. But still, the vision reminds us that when all is said and done, we've been created by God in His image to glorify Him and enjoy him forever. So no matter what the situation, no matter what the context, we may join and worship our wonderful, wonderful, glorious God. Even if we lose our lives for the Lord, we will simply be transported to heaven, where we will praise the Lord with an incredible congregation. I can't wait to see those living beasts. That's gotta be cool. I gotta see that, I think you know, I mean, your eyes all around under the wings. I just don't get it. Why do you have eyes under your wings? But John is not done in this important vision, and in Revelation five, verse one, we first saw the throne of God than the worship God and now the scroll of God; this is intriguing. Are you still with me? I'm not losing. Yeah, Mike and my wife, and it's gonna be bad. They saw and the right hand of him who sat on the throne of the scroll, a scroll was written on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll anybody in the house worthy. You live in beasts, your honors, your apostles, your patriarchs. But no one in heaven and on earth or under the earth could open the scroll and even look inside; no one than one of the elders said to me, Do not weep. See the lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed; he is able to open the spring. At its seventh seal. See, God has a scroll in his right hand. And the scroll is God's eternal, all encompassing plan that we like to summarize as creation, fall, redemption, recreation, and everything in between. It symbolizes God's purpose with respect to the entire universe throughout history, concerning all creatures in all ages to all eternity, and the scroll is closed, God's will is revealed, and executed. To open the scroll means that you can carry out the plan of God. And no one can open the scroll.
Sam Hamstra 23:41
Except the Lion of Judah, who we will soon discover as the Lamb of God.
Sam Hamstra 23:49
For God has this plan. And Christ is the administrator of the plan. God has a plan a scroll. He saddled over us, active in the world, making all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord. Not that all things are good. But he's working in such a way that the manure of life fertilizes the field of our souls and produces beautiful fruit to scroll of God. But then the vision concludes with the Lamb of God. Then I saw them as if they had been slain. But standing in the center of the throne and circled by the four living creatures in the elders. This lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne and when he had taken it the four living creatures and 20 elders fell down before the Lamb, each one had a harp. And they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sing a new song; you are worthy of taking the scroll and of opening it seals. Because you were slain, and with your blood, you purchase people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. And you have made them be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on earth. And then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering 1000s upon 1000s, and 10,000 times 10,000, and circling the throne and the creatures and the elders, and this loud voice they sang. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and glory and praise. And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth, and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in the saying to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb of God, be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever. The Lamb of God who inhabits the throne of God is worthy to receive our praise. When skipped that Ephesians one. So let me go back to the beginning. Let me just hydrate. I love my plumber. I mean, I'm serious. If you've had problems, he's in what I call him; he's there. He's reliable; he's ready. He fixes the broken stuff of my life, the broken pipes in my life. And I love my God who, like my plumber, fixes his broken things. I look back over my life now of a few years, and I just see where God is directed he's healed, he sustained, he's guided, he's provided he's done so many things for me.
Sam Hamstra 27:56
But what happens to my faith when that which is broken can't be fixed. If God is no more than a plumber, then I'm without hope. have no one to pray to. I have no one to go to. And simply be in despair. And I have a hunch that that is why so many people live in despair today.
Sam Hamstra 28:41
The apostle John has encouraged me anyway to catch a glimpse of God sitting on his throne in the center of the universe, receiving perpetual praise to catch a glimpse of Jesus, the Lion, and the Lamb who implements the good imperfect role of his father. And to join the celestial chorus of praise and worship. I admit it seems kind of stupid. Seems kind of simplistic that the world was going to hell in a handbasket and all you want me to do is look up you have just buried my parents who were killed by Rome, and you just want me to look up. I just buried my children who are shot by some nut job, and you want me to look up, but that's the message, my friends and I've been struggling with it because I said, Well Lord, man, I'm gonna need your Holy Spirit because we're not the spirit. I don't think we're gonna get it that we need. I need this God. So what about you? Well, I hope you love your plumber. I hope you have a good one. I hope you, you know, you're not only gonna be a plumber, but you got a good list of those people who break into your life, you know, in the house breaks and got a good doctor who fixes this. And I guess you could call my cardiologist a plumber as well. Good cardiologist. And I hope you love the Lord who, like your plumber, has fixed and will continue to fix the broken pipes of your life that this is not meant. This message is not meant to minimize a God who says Let not your hearts be troubled to believe in God, also believe in me, it doesn't help minimize the invitation that the Lord gives us to come to him when we're weak and heavy laden. Like me, I trust you found a God who is there, who's reliable, who's trustworthy, you can look back over your life, and you could see where God stepped in and fix the broken pipes of your life. But when stuff happens in your life that can't be fixed.
Sam Hamstra 31:37
And you don't have to go through all that any you know what I'm talking about. I hope you don't give up on God. I hope your relationship with God is more than that of a fixer.
Sam Hamstra 32:02
I hope I encourage that when stuff happens, that just can't be fixed. Nothing's going to bring back your loved one. Nothing's going to bring back that husband walked on. Nothing's going to change a diagnosis of your child's condition.
Sam Hamstra 32:41
I hope when stuff happens in your life that can't be fixed,
Sam Hamstra 32:48
that you don't give up on God. But then, instead, you worship the Lord might have at all. Take your eyes off the junk of life, the tribulation of life, and the sorrows of life, and you look up and see a God who sovereign overall was on the throne. I hope that in spite of the confusion and distress which accompanies suffering and sorrow, I hope you'll join the living creatures and never stop singing Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty. Who was and is to come. Then in spite of the uncertainty and disappointment when dealing with stuff that can't be fixed, You'll join the 24 elders in the 1000s upon 1000s of angels
Sam Hamstra 34:06
and say, Lord, You are worthy My Lord and my God spite of all this to receive glory, honor, and power for you have created all things including me in by your will they were created and have there been
Sam Hamstra 34:28
let us pray. I'm not sure how this is supposed to work, frankly, that when stuff happens can't be fixed. Your prescription still looks up to the throne. My God, to see a God who is sovereign on the throne to hear the worship of the elders and the living beast and the angels to see your plan, the scroll executed and delivered by Jesus. Then to see Jesus the Son in the center of the throne with the Father. Receiving all worshipping warriors could imagine that each one of us or many of us are dealing with stuff that simply cannot be fixed it won't be fixed until you come again. So, keep us from despair. Keep us from losing hope. Keep our eyes fixated on the throne, keep us in perpetual Praise to you. Pray to the name of Jesus. And all God's people say amen.