Fred

One recent morning Susan said to me, politely I might add, “Please don’t be grouchy today.” I find myself these days being easily irritable. No, I put on a good face with others, but with those I love dearly I can be moody. I hate it. I’ve been asking God to help me with this sin – and yes, irritability is a sin. It is a form of unrighteous anger.

I want to blame my irritability on COVID or other outward circumstances. If things were simply different, I wouldn’t be so irritable. That is lie, and I know it. My irritability is from my selfishness. I want to relax but it is denied. I want relief but it does not come. “Why are you interrupting me?” UGH!  Irritability comes when my desires are unmet – unfulfilled. “What causes fights and quarrels among you?  Don’t they come from desires that battle within you?  You want something but don’t get it,” Ja 4:1-2a NIV. 

What must I (we) do? Surrender all desires to Christ. Slow down. Realize when irritable one needs to confess and ask for forgiveness. Trust in God’s promises – which are many. A favorite is Eph 1:11, “he is working all things according to the purpose of his will.” Where is God in an undesirable circumstance? He is there. You have heard me say it. God’s in the mess. Do not let irritability control – obey God, yield emotions to him. Let us not give in, but let us practice genuine love, especially to those nearest to us. “Love is not irritable,” 1 Cor 13:5.

You’ve heard me say it, “Shepherding with COVID is different.” Kevin DeYoung wrote on his blog about the challenges pastors face at this time. It was just what I needed. You as a congregation have been fantastic. Again, I thank you for your love and cooperation.  

There’s a lot on a pastor’s plate these days. Medical “experts” can be cited pro or against mask wearing. Some feel this pandemic is blown out of proportion. Others are fearful it could kill them. People are calling for “social justice” and if you don’t believe that narrative you’re called a racist. On top of this throw in a volatile presidential election. Kevin writes, “What’s a pastor to do?” 

He continues, “If few pastors have the time or calling to speak into the pressing cultural issues of our day with courageous grace and winsome truth, go for it. We will arise and call you blessed. But most pastors are not short on things they need to do … [so] don’t neglect what the Bible says about good shepherds: feed, guide, protect and preserve.” In all this chaos I can’t lose sight of what God has called me to do. What is that? Preaching, caring for others and being faithful in the mundane messiness of church life. Everything might be changing and yet nothing has really changed. “God is still God. Sin is still the problem. The cross is still the answer. Jesus is mighty to save. The world is broken, but what is new about that?” Please pray for me to be faithful during these days. Let us pray for each other to be fruitful in these troubling times.

One of the greatest blessings our family enjoyed together was the ministry of hospitality. Our children grew up expecting people to be in our home. What rich memories we share – the blessings have truly been ours.  “Offer hospitality to one another,” 1 Pet 4:9.  Hospitality is love in action. We open our hearts by opening our homes. Sue and I continue to be blessed through this ministry.

Hospitality played a key role with NT church growth, Acts 5:42. The home is a natural setting for sharing the gospel – non-threatening, informal and personal. The first Gentile converts were not saved in a cathedral but in the home of Cornelius, Acts 10. “But I don’t have a big house.” Hospitality isn’t to impress others – it’s done to express God’s love!  “But I’m not the entertaining type.” Hospitality isn’t an option for certain personalities – it’s a command for every Christian. 

Today the Missions Team wishes to encourage us in our hospitality. Sue and I have found we must plan for it. We need to seek opportunities in which to practice it. It won’t always be convenient – and as Peter reminds us, we’re to do it without grumbling.  It doesn’t have to be a five-course dinner. It can be sharing fellowship over a bowl of soup.  Reach out.  Inviting guests to our homes is a wonderful way to show others that “they belong here.”  

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Tragically suicide has reached historic numbers influenced by COVID. The National Alliance on Mental Illness has seen a 65% increase in calls since March

No one is immune from suicidal thoughts. No one is ruling out mental illness or physical components. We are made of spirit and flesh – each interrelate and connect. Yet God holds us responsible for our beliefs and behaviors. We can’t excuse sin. But let’s be clear, while suicide is a grievous sin it is not as some claim unforgiveable. People ask, “Can a Christian commit suicide?” Answer, “Can a Christian sin?” John MacArthur has written, “Suicide is a grave sin … but it can be forgiven like any other sin. 

What should one do if they have suicidal thoughts? They must realize their hope is in Christ, 1 Pet 1:3. One contemplating suicide has lost all hope. True hope is rooted in truth not in sentimentality. Ps 130:5, I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, 

and in his word I hope. God’s Word provides hope. So does the Body of Christ. If someone speaks with you, listen well – and urge them to see their doctor. Be a good listener and pray. Biblical counseling is available.  

God is Redeemer. He wants to redeem one’s suffering. His plan is life – not death. Suicide has a horizontal perspective – what about me? We must go vertical – develop a God-ward focus. We make it our goal to please him, 2 Cor 5:9. 

I love small groups. I believe they are essential in our spiritual growth and development. COVID makes this complicated. We are seeking to restart this ministry in a few weeks for those wishing to participate.  

Small groups meet on the first full week of the month and third – basically twice a month. Our target week to reboot is October 4. Everyone who wishes to participate this academic year needs to fill out the enclosed survey form.  We respect those who are not yet ready – and we plan new groups to begin later in the year as things change. But if you wish to be involved now, whether you have been before or not, please complete the form today. 

Groups will meet throughout the week at different times. We are giving the freedom for groups to choose what they wish to do. Most discuss the sermon based on discussion questions that appear in the bulletin. Our purpose is not to be a social club or host a dinner party. This is a time to encourage each other in our spiritual walk – to practice the “one anothers” of Scripture. 

Joining needs to be a matter of priority – attending unless providentially hindered. For this term there will be 14 meetings for which one is committing. Those who fill out the survey will be contacted by a host based on your availability. You will be asked whether or not you wish to join that group. Groups will be kept at 9 so everyone will be able to participate. 

Don’t forget – fill in the form right now and place it on the table in the back of the foyer. Thank you! 

I’ll be honest. I haven’t always appreciated Hebrews.  I remember talking to friends while in college and one said it was his favorite book. I thought he was crazy. The book baffled me. Yes, there are some great verses, but its overall structure confused me.  But while the book has its challenges, God’s Spirit will aid us in understanding and applying it to our lives.  I’ve come to love this book and pray you will come to love it too.  Here’s an outline to help.

1.  JESUS IS SUPERIOR  –  1:1—10:18

      A. He is better than the prophets

      B. He is better than the angels

           Warning #1:  Beware of drifting from the Word of God

      C. He is better than Moses

           Warning #2:  Beware of doubting the Word of God

      D. He is better than Aaron

           Warning #3:  Beware of a dullness to the Word of God

      E. He is better than the Levitical priesthood

      F. He offers a better covenant

      G. He provides a better sanctuary

      H. He offers a better sacrifice

           Warning #4: Beware of despising the Word of God

2.  THE CALL TO FAITHFUL ENDURANCE  – 10:19 – 12:29

      A.  To full assurance of faith                                                                                  Warning #5: Beware of defying the Word of God

      B.  To endure till the kingdom fully comes                                                

3. FINAL EXHORTATIONS AND REMARKS – 13                                                       A. Christian ethics                                                                                                    B. Benediction     

In your bulletin today there are two inserts – one listing our missionaries so we can faithfully pray for them, and the other an insert about small groups. 

HBC is committed to a small group ministry.  We believe small groups are a piece of the disciple-making process.  What’s our mission? To develop faithful disciples of Christ for his glory.   

There are over 50 “one anothers” in the NT – “love one another, forgive, admonish, encourage one another,” etc.  Small groups are where these commands are fleshed out – where “community” is lived.  The elders and deacons have been discussing how to “reboot” this ministry. COVID has complicated this. 

If you are interested in being involved in a small group would you fill in the enclosed survey and put it in the survey box on the table?  Some are not ready to participate right now – we understand. We need to know how many are interested now so we can adequately provide the right number of hosts. Our aim is to keep each group 9 or under. Our goal is to have small groups up and running next month.

Small groups meet twice a month (first and third weeks the month during the academic year with holiday breaks). The commitment this term involves 14 meetings. This is where we can serve one another exercising our spiritual gifts to help build the body of Christ. I hope you will be committed to this important aspect of “body life” here at HBC

School has officially begun – under a very different set of circumstances this year. Special thanks for the “back to school prayer guide” that was in the bulletin last Sunday. Extras can be found on the kiosk.

Homeschool, Christian school, public school – three valid choices believers make in regard to education. All are represented here at HBC. All are respected. Every parent is making their choice with different contributing factors so each one will come up with a different decision. I am thankful school choice isn’t a test of one’s spirituality or lack thereof here at HBC. School choice is one of those Christian liberty issues where we honor and love each other. Each choice has its share of positives and negatives – so the bottom line, regardless of which one you prefer, we still must trust God.

We have a church of teachers too – again parents and grandparents who homeschool, teachers in both public and Christian schools. They need our prayers as well as the children. These are difficult days for teachers. 

Pray for our school children: Dale, Madison, Landon, Baleigh, Josiah, Beric, Ariel, Kaylen, Isaac, Ava, Colten, Lucas, Jake, Illiana, Adaline, Zayden, Zander, Lakely, Keeley Ann, and Matthew. Pray for our teachers: Amanda, Cindy, Nic & Lois, Don, Susan, Amy, Charmayne, Charlie Ann and Amber. I am thankful that we can uphold each other in prayer. 

It is our joy having Phil Dufrin fill the pulpit today. Phil is no stranger to HBC. He is the co-pastor of Covenant Life Community Church in East Lansing – the church we partner with each Good Friday. Phil’s nephew, Ian Dufrin will lead us in worship as well. Ian’s father, Norm is the other pastor at CLCC. Please greet them and express your appreciation for their ministry here this morning.  

Are you weary? Next Sunday, dv, I plan on preaching on Matt 11:28-30. Jesus tells those of us who are weary and burdened to come to him. It is only in Christ we will find rest for our souls. On Sept 6, I want to preach a message from Eph 4:32, especially as it relates to our loved ones. We are to be kind and compassionate, forgiving of others. Our plan is to start a new series through the book of Hebrews this fall.  

Sue and I wrap up our vacation plans tomorrow. We ever so thankful for the church giving us time to get away. Please pray for us. We’ve had great times alone together and with some of our children, grandchildren, along with dear friends. 

Today it is our joy having Thurm and Lisa Payton as our guests. Thurm served as Holt’s associate pastor from 1997-2003. His wife was involved in the music ministry as well. The Paytons invested part of their lives into HBC for which we are eternally grateful. Thurm will fill the pulpit today in my absence, and Lisa will be on the piano. Please greet them and express your appreciation for their ministry. 

Summer seems the most convenient time for many to take vacations, so Sue and I are taking advantage of this time. We are thankful for the church giving us this opportunity. Pray for us please. These are unusual days and shepherding during this pandemic has had it challenges. While we might not know how ministry will look this fall – God does, and he will guide and sustain us through this time. He is faithful. Please pray for Paul, Tom and I as we seek God’s direction during these days.