Always approach Genesis with the big picture of its location within the 66 Books of the Bible – it comes first. Therefore, Genesis is the book of origins: the origin of the universe (Gen 1:1-25), the origin of man and woman (Gen 1:26-2), the origin of sin and death (Gen 3:1-7), the origin of God’s promise of redemption through Jesus Christ (Gen 3:8-24), the origin of worshipful sacrifices (Gen 4:1-5), the origin of civilization (Gen 4:16-9:29), the origin of diverse languages and nations (Gen 10-11), and the origin of the Hebrew people of God (Gen 12-50).  Always approach Genesis with the understanding that this first book of the Bible introduces foundational truths that will be set forth and expanded upon in the rest of the Bible. Keep in mind that this first book of history gives us a first look at understanding so much of the history that will play out through the other Bible books of history. We should greatly value this first book of the Bible and approach it ready to learn what God intends us to receive and apply spiritually from Genesis. Genesis, along with Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, make up what is commonly called the Pentateuch or Torah (the five books of the Law). Moses is the author of Genesis, and its direct intended recipients were the Bible days nation of Israel. The goal is to educate them in their identity as God’s covenant people. The Book of Genesis has 50 chapters that are packed with a wealth of knowledge for us to learn and apply. VHH.     

I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself (Genesis 3:1o)

       In his sin and spiritual failure, Adam clung to his reverent fear of God. For the first time, Adam and Eve felt unworthy to have communion with God. We identify with Adam. When we get it wrong, we lose confidence being in God’s righteous presence. We can picture Adam and Eve crouched behind bushes attempting to hide themselves from the all-knowing God. Of course, this couple must have known that they would eventually have to come out of hiding and face the God who had created them. 

       But the wonderful thing is that God takes the initiative to connect with Adam and Eve. Genesis reads – “Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). God is always disappointed when His children chose wrong over what He has set forth as the right thing to do. This explains Paul’s exhortation to the Ephesians: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 4:30). When we fail to get it right, and when we make a mess of things, God calls us back to Himself. So, there’s no need seeking to hide from the God who knows absolutely everything about us all the time. The author of Hebrews put it this way: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” Let’s run to God, not away from Him. (Hebrew 4:16).  VHH 

It’s true. After the cold, snowy, overcast winter, the sunny, warm springfeels like a rebirth of life. Springtime literarily ushers in a time when thingsthat have been dormant return to life. At the Waterbury Church of Christ, thespring season kicks off our L.I.F.E. Groups – small groups intentionally andstrategically designed to bring a new level of spiritual life in our relationshipswith one another. At this point, we are about two weeks into establishing ourL.I.F.E Groups. It’s great to see these small groups coming together to growcloser to God and one another. Remember, a constant theme is that ourmembers are seeking to – To Do Life Together. This is God’s revealed willabout life in His Church. Paul put it this way: “That you stand fast in one spirit,with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27). 

In our L.I.F.E. Groups, members join their heads and hearts to learntogether, pray together, fellowship together, and do God’s work together.Nothing but good should come from our L.I.F.E. Groups. At Waterbury, we areGod’s family, and we are determined to do what families should do – getloving, caring, and sharing right. No doubt, our personal walk with God will bemuch better as our members receive encouragement and support from oneanother through group learning and prayer. In our L.I.F.E. Groups, we shouldunderstand and value one another on a higher level and build up the faith ofone another on a high level. Members, get plugged into your L.I.F.E. Group.VHH 

       Our view of eternity and heaven will largely determine how we decide to live on earth. Think about it. Those who spend enough time, sufficient time, a lot of time wrapping their minds around the joys of heaven, will do what God calls them to do to be welcomed there. It makes sense to me; it takes a heavenly mindset to attain a heavenly reward. This is exactly what Paul is exhorting the Colossian, believers to do, to always remain in a heavenly mindset: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2).  

       In His preaching ministry, Jesus spoke often about the kingdom of heaven. This line is found in the Gospel of Matthew: “Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17). Translation. Don’t let wrongdoing cause you to miss out on living eternally in the greatest place ever. On another occasion, Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44).  Translation. We must make heaven our number one focus and pursuit. We can do this, but how? Spend more time reading Bible verses on heaven. Pray more about going to heaven. And talk more to fellow believers about the joy of heaven. VHH    

Let’s make a clear and straight-talking declaration about the Word of God, it was given by God for our learning and life application. God’s Word declares it: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, thoroughly equipping the man of God for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Recently, a member sent me an encouraging text to do a series on the Books of the Bible. I did commit this to prayer and quiet meditation before God. And I came away with affirmation. In a recent sit-down with one of our young adult members, he spoke humbly about his need for God’s up-close guidance in his life. More affirmation came over my spirit. So, saints and servants at Waterbury, let’s open our hearts and heads to study the Books of the Bible. Rather, we are in the childhood years, Teen years, Young Adult season, or beyond, the Scriptures give us a timely and truthful Word from God. The challenge in this series is to explore basic information about each Book, tap into the Book’s key instructions, and bring it all together with practical life application. Can I ask, indeed, make an urgent plea for your ongoing prayers in this sermon series? Like Paul, preachers must ask members to pray about the proclamation of God’s Word: “Finally, brother and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did with you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1). May this series richly bless our lives! VHH       

Saints and servants at Waterbury invite God’s approval and blessings into your life by buying into this 2026 agenda – establishing God-centered goals, pursuing God-centered growth, seeking out God’s goodness, and participating in God-centered gatherings with fellow believers. As in every year, there will be things that come our way in 2026 that are beyond our control. But this year we can, and we must, get things right that are under our control. Goals, growth, and God’s goodness have been our pulpit focus over the past three weeks. In this final lesson of January 2026, let’s focus on the gatherings that can richly bless your life. The time that we spend with fellow believers is essential for us to grow wiser and stronger in God’s will and work. The Hebrew author put it this way: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some…” (Hebrews 10:25). This text intentionally uses the word “forsaking,” because there are spiritual gatherings that God calls and commands His people to regularly attend. This is the point: there are spiritual places and spaces that we need to include in our weekly and monthly priority calendar. In today’s lesson, let’s learn about it and commit ourselves to be about it. VHH

God’s Word is very clear; the days, weeks, months, and years of our lives are under God’s sovereign control. Paul put it this way: “In Him we live and move and have our very being” (Acts 17:28). If the time clock of our lives is under God’s keeping, we must make sure that we establish the new year in God’s Word and will. This means establishing God-centered goals. And a desire to grow God’s way. And yes, we must absolutely set our minds on valuing, appreciating, and pursuing God’s goodness in our lives. To be sure, we direly need to keep our lives rooted and grounded in experiencing God’s goodness. David declared it regarding his life: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…” (Psalm 23:6). James spoke about God’s goodness in this way: “Every good and every perfect gift is from above…” (James 1:17). It’s a new year, and we don’t know all that is before us. But we know from every single year that we have been on this earth, the Lord God has surely been good – very good – to us. In today’s sermon, we want to reaffirm some basic truths about God’s goodness that we need to understand and pursue. 

Saints and servants at Waterbury, God’s goodness absolutely matters. Let’s expect it and live up to it. Let this be your aim as you kick off the new year – “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him” (Psalm 34:8).   

Last Lord’s Day Sunday, we challenged our members to allow the Lord God to redirect us to pursue what He has in mind for our lives in 2026 and beyond. David wanted to build a marvelous temple for the Lord, but God said no. David’s response was both spiritual and humble (2 Samuel 7). From God’s Word, we set forth sound Bible principles to follow as we pursue God-centered goals for the new year. This morning, we turn our focus to the all-important matter of growth. Each year that God gives us can be, ought to be, must be  a year of more growth in our walk with God. As you know, the language of growth is used very often in the Scriptures. Here’s a familiar verse: “Like newborn babes, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation” (1 Peter 2:2). A number of vital questions come to the surface about the issue of Christian growth: Why should we stay in a growth mindset, how exactly do we grow, and what does growth look like? In today’s sermon, we want to search God’s Word to discern the right answer to these commonly raised questions about our growth in Christ. But another question arises: Is there a negative fallout when we fail to pursue growth? Personal and congregational growth must be a top priority before us in 2026. Saints and servants at Waterbury, let’s go forward and grow in this new year. VHH  

Every New Year that God gives us should be about God’s Word and will more planted and rooted in our lives. More time must translate into another God-given opportunity to be and do what pleases God. God’s Word speaks often about time. We are told not to take time for granted: “Do not boast about tomorrow” (Proverbs 27:1). We are instructed to know the difference between time and eternity: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). We are challenged about things that we must prioritize at specific moments in time: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Our January focus in the pulpit will be on four priorities that we should seek after in 2026: Establishing goals, pursuing growth, seeking after the good, and faithfully participating in the established gatherings at Waterbury. The Lord God is keeping an accurate record of our lives, for which we must give an account: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done” (2 Corinthians 5:10). In 2026, we will add another year of activities to the book God is keeping of our lives. Throughout January, I want God’s saints and servants at Waterbury to be laser-focused on four words: goals, growth, good, and gatherings. As we fully buy into the lessons, we are positioning ourselves to make 2026 another year of pleasing the Lord our God. Vhh.  

Every single day, we can see the abundance of our blessings. As the saying goes, “Count your blessings, name them one by one.” The ability to see, taste, smell, touch, and think with a sound mind. In this fallen world, thousands of people no longer enjoy the blessings just mentioned. But I’m thinking about the need to greatly celebrate the wonderful saints and servants at Waterbury who endured some tremendously hard life experiences in 2025 but maintained their trust in God. For some, it was sickness, disease, family challenges, the deep grief of loss, even fervent prayers that were not answered as hoped. But our members at Waterbury, many that I can name, kept their hope alive. For this, we celebrate the steadfastness of their trust in God. They are to be greatly commended and celebrated.

• The Enemy tempted them to doubt, disbelieve, and even curse God, but they still worship Him!
• The Enemy tempted them to fall into a defeating despair, but they still stand on God’s Word!
• The Enemy tempted them to stop praying, but they continue to pray to God every passing day!
• The Enemy tempted them to go back to some of the old ways, but they are still living God’s will!

This is why we take this moment to celebrate their faith in God. The Lord makes this great promise in the opening line in Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you.” Beloved brother and sister at Waterbury, press on because the Lord God is surely with you. VHH