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Paul David Tripp writes, “If you ask the little boy why he hit his sister, he won’t tell you it was because of the sin that’s in his heart. No, he’ll say, ‘She was bothering me.’ If you ask the teenager why he came in so late, he won’t willingly take responsibility. He’ll tell you a long story … If you ask the father why he is so angry all the time, he won’t tell you it’s because of the selfishness and impatience in his heart. No, he’ll say it’s because of his kids; they just drive him crazy. If you ask the single person why she’s so moody and discontent, she won’t say it’s because of the jealousy that resides in her heart. She’ll point to all the ways that life has been hard. If you ask the old man why he’s so mean, he won’t tell you it’s because of the bitterness that has captured his heart … Sometimes I think it’s the one biblical truth that no one believes.

When we do something wrong, we all tend to point outside ourselves for the cause: ‘this traffic makes me so angry; she gets me so upset,’ or ‘my boss pulls the worst out of me.’  [Such] is a street-level heresy. It feels good to think that your biggest problems in life exist outside you and not inside you. Jesus devastated [this] self-atoning perspective on human behavior … Sin is the matter of the heart before it is ever an issue of our behavior … So I must confess that I am my greatest problem … I am in desperate need of grace that is alone able to rescue me from me … This is exactly what David prayed in Psalm 51 that God would create a clean heart in him. God’s grace is grace for the heart, and that is very good news.” – New Morning Mercies

For centuries Christianity has held various opinions on the subject of war. Modern wars must not be confused with the wars fought by Israel in the OT. Today there is no nation acting as God’s representative. OT Israel was unique receiving special revelation. NT believers are never told to advance God’s kingdom by bloodshed.

Historically a minority of Christians have held to what’s been called “classic pacifism” – believing that sometimes war is necessary but Christians shouldn’t be engaged in it. That’s not what today’s pacificism teaches. Many peace marchers of today don’t believe in the depravity of humanity. These naively hold to the idea that we are inherently good. If we strive hard enough, we can achieve world peace. That isn’t what the Bible teaches at all. Now don’t misunderstand. We applaud all humanitarian efforts to end senseless killing. But as Christians we must accept the reality of evil in this fallen world.

Augustine’s City of God, he taught war could only be just: if declared by a legitimate government; if the war was to protect innocent life; national defense; not be waged unless the evils fought were grave enough to justify the taking of life; that the war would end more evil than it would cause; and that all peaceful alternatives had been exhausted. You and I will have to wrestle with whether or not current wars fit into this category. Regardless we must be respectful with those with whom we might disagree. We must always pray for our national leaders, be responsible and respectful to authority and remember our greatest war is spiritual, not physical.

Special thanks to those who attended or helped with our counseling conference. Attendance was 150+ – larger than I ever anticipated with around 30 churches participating. Recently I read an article why church members are trending to go to therapy instead of the church with their problems. The article was written by Laura Kleinshmidt from Westminster Seminary. I’ve adapted her article.

It’s challenging to care for congregants when one doesn’t know their struggles. We are two-part beings: body and soul. It’s often been said, if your body has a problem see a physician; if you have a spiritual issue, see your pastor but if you have a psychological problem talk to a therapist. We here at HBC disagree. Scripture doesn’t identify psychological problems divorced from our bodies and spirits. What society calls psychological can be reassigned to either body or soul. We live our lives under God’s authority. When we separate people into three parts and label only one of those as spiritual, the other two parts may seem outside of God’s authority. With the three-part model it is hard for people to see God’s authority as over the body and even more challenging to convince them he is over the so-called psychological. Our secular therapeutic culture communicates a godless alternative. 

What dominates our culture tends to seep into the church. Christians tend to think issues like anxiety or relationship struggles are not related to their spiritual lives – and that is a huge mistake. The psalmist asked, “Where does my help come?” Culture answers, “My help comes from Google, social media, my support group or my therapist.” And yet Scripture reminds us God is our Refuge and Strong Tower. 

Happy Easter! Probably more appropriate is the early church’s greeting on this day. The worship leader would say, “Christ the Lord is risen!” and the congregation would respond, “He is risen indeed! This tradition continues – be ready!

The Barna Group explored Americans’ definition of Easter. Most consider it a religious holiday (celebration of God, a holy day, special church service), but fewer identified it with the actual resurrection of Jesus. In fact, only 2% said it would be the most important holiday of their faith. Of the respondents, 13% said they were not sure how to describe Easter. Other descriptions included: getting family together, spring break, a symbol of new beginnings or a time to dye and hide eggs.

Let it be said loud and clear that Easter is the most important Christian holiday! It is on this day that we celebrate the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. The body of Jesus of Nazareth cannot be found in some Palestinian tomb – it was gloriously transformed some 2000 years ago.  Jesus urged his disciples to touch him – dispensing the idea that his resurrection was purely spiritual. In fact, Jesus ate with the disciples after his crucifixion in his resurrected state. It was a real body – different yes, but nonetheless physical and real. 

Several of our kids will be with us today. We’ll enjoy each other’s company. We have planned a big family dinner – but all these activities exist because Jesus Christ rose from the dead. That is why we’re together – that is why we     celebrate. He is risen indeed!

I have been a collector of quotes. Here are some old ones   I had on a page in my Franklin Planner from years ago. Some are anonymous – others I’ve given credit where  credit is due.

With every job … “work through the problems and seize the opportunities.”  – Colin Powell

“There is no ideal place to serve God, except the place where he has set you down.”  – Alistair Begg

“Life is not the dreams that we have, but the choices that we make.” – Joe Stowell

“We ponder God’s withholding or bestowing and while we pine for what was never given, or what was taken, TODAY slips through our fingers.”

“Patience is the will to wait on God without frustration, irritation or anger.”

“Lord, I renounce my desire for human praise; the need for public recognition. I deliberately put these aside today – content to hear you whisper, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’”

“Self-pity deceives us into thinking we’re heroic when we’re full of pride.”

“I am a nobody, trying to tell everybody, about somebody who can change anybody.”  – Thabiti Anyabwile

One of the holiest of celebrations for Christians occurs in 2 weeks. Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus. It is also a time where unbelievers are more open to come to church. We want to take advantage of that cultural tendency. Please use the enclosed card to invite someone to breakfast April 5 and to our Easter service. It’s really quite simple: a neighbor, a friend, a co-worker, a family member. Remember, we’re not trying to pull people from another Bible-teaching church. Our focus is on believers who don’t attend church or those who haven’t yet professed faith in Christ.

Statistics reveal more people come to church by personal invitation than any other method. Everyone has a circle of people who need Christ. You can be a strategic part of helping them come to the Lord. Andrew, Peter’s brother, was responsible for introducing the apostle to Christ. Please use this card. Don’t throw it away. Just say, “I’d like to invite you to be my guest at church on Easter – breakfast and our service.” 

Please sign up to bring a dish for the breakfast. For those of us who call HBC home, remember that Sunday our auditorium will be filled with guests – you and I are the hosts. Greet folks. Smile. You take the role of speaking first. Someone who recently visited our service told me HBC was the friendliest church he had encountered in ages. Thank you. So, let us continue to demonstrate that motto we’ve used here before – “You Belong Here.”

Iran is in the news today and we need to pray for our military, leaders and our president. We also need to pray for those innocent victims caught in the middle of this war too. My home church in Decatur, IL was the sending church for missionaries in Tehran – Dick Corley and family. It was the 1960s and 70s. The Shah was in power. There was a measure of religious liberty in those days, all prior to the 1979 revolution. Did you know modern Iran is ancient Persia – the land of Esther, Nehemiah, Daniel, the magi (wise men) of Jesus’ birth? With the connection it might be easy to see if current events are connected to prophecy.

We should be cautious of reading today’s news through the lens of Scripture. In my years of ministry I’ve heard countless “fulfilled prophecies” only to turn out false. Let me remind you of the ABC’s of prophecy.

A – Avoid speculation.  While the Bible gives us broad themes of the 2^nd coming – it doesn’t answer all our questions. Speculation often proves to be wrong. Such undermines the gospel.   

B – Be ready.  Every reference to the return of Christ is marked by a moral challenge to be holy. 1 Jn 2:28, And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

C – Continue faithfully. No white bathrobes on roof tops please (that has happened before!). Keep doing today what you’re expected to do. Jesus said, Engage in business until I come, Lu 19:13.  We’re to be responsible – do our work, worship and witness while we wait.

Remember post cards? They’re still around. Those small pieces of cardboard with a tourist picture on the other side are sent through the mail without envelopes. I well remember sending them to family and friends when on vacation (before cell phones). There were (are) a quick way of sharing an experience with a loved one who wasn’t able to be there in person.

Chuck Swindoll calls the one-chapter books of the New Testament postcards. Four books have that designation – Jude, Philemon, 2 John and 3 John. Beginning Sunday, April 12, Pastor Anthony and I will begin a new series entitled, “New Testament Post Cards.” We will work our way together through these one-chapter books – the shortest documents inspired and preserved in the NT for our edification. Often the larger books like Romans or 1 Corinthians get our attention. And while all Scripture is equally inspired, these 4 postcards are tragically neglected. Don’t doubt their potent punch because of their size. They are missiles of truth that will target our hearts. 

We have enjoyed hearing Anthony teach in ABF this past winter. He preached last month when I was on vacation – and will again Palm Sunday. It’s time he start on a regular basis to fill the pulpit. I love preaching and yet part of this transition is to allow him the necessary pulpit time for you to learn under him as well giving him the opportunity to sharpen his homiletical skills.  Anthony and I have outlined these books – but who will preach what and when is to be determined as we go. Pray for us as we work together on this new series. What joy it is to share in this ministry. Familiarize yourself too with these important books. You can read all 4 in less than 30 minutes.

Do you ever suffer from the “winter blues?” I do at times, especially about now. While Susan and I love the snow and the winter season, come early March we’re looking forward to warmer weather.

We might not be able to help on the weather aspect, but we can bring a little “sunshine” and “warmth” inside! Don and Sue Depoorter have once again invited us as a church family to their home for a time of fellowship, food and fun. The date – Friday, March 13 (and don’t let that date scare you, we’re not superstitious).  The menu is a taco bar – and we need some help bringing things. Sign up on the table in the foyer – along with what you can bring.

I never watched the 1980s TV show Cheers – about a tavern’s patrons. But the show’s theme song always spoke volumes to me – Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came; You want to be where you see, troubles are all the same. You want to go where everybody knows your name. Cheers is the world’s substitution for the church – or what the church should be. No, we don’t cry in each other’s beer but we must provide Christian hope and help.

Familiar words often lose their meaning. Such a victim is the word fellowship. We often use it – let’s get together for some fellowship. Eating might include fellowship but it doesn’t define it. NT fellowship involves authentic relationships sourced in Christ. Social activities create a context for fellowship to take place.  J.I. Packer said, “As we value the health of our own souls and of the Christian church, then, we must learn to prize fellowship.” 

I’ve enjoyed the writings of Tim Challies, pastor and blogger. I’ve quoted him before. Here are some other random writings of his that spoke to me.  I hope they speak to you as well.

“It’s almost never the wrong time to say, ‘Let’s pray.’”

“Learn to apologize. Learn to apologize first. Learn to apologize often. Learn that to apologize is a mark of strength of character, not weakness.”

“You get no free pass from the sin of slander when it pertains to an enemy, a heretic, or a politician. Each of these people is made in the image of God and each of them deserves to be spoken of in a way that befits their humanity. Only ever speak of them what is demonstrably and provably true.”

“When the church service ends, make it your goal to meet someone you don’t know or connect with someone you don’t know well before you spend time with friends. Make a beeline for anyone who is alone.”

“Distinguish between what is mandated by God and what is simply a matter of wisdom or prudence. Much of what Christians advocate with such strong words falls under the latter category more than the former. Don’t hold strongly to what the Bible holds loosely (or vice versa).”

“Open your home to other people often. Help foster a     culture of hospitality within your local church by being the one who invites people over on a regular basis. The living room is one of the best contexts in the world for friendship, discipleship, and  evangelism.”