Hedgemakers ~ INVITATION to Special Meetings - It has been a good while since HBC has hosted any special meetings. We are trying to get back into the swing of things gradually. Our assistant pastor's father, Dr. William Starnes, will be our preacher for a few days at the end of May. He will preach Friday and Saturday night (service time 7:00 PM) and all day Sunday, May 22-24. If you are in the area, we certainly invite you to share a service with us on that weekend. Dr. Starnes is a graduate of Tabernacle Baptist College, Greenville, SC. He has been a pastor and church planter. We are looking forward to his visit with us. He will help us make up the hedge in this day of compromise.

 

Homemakers ~ "Is There A Biblical Excuse for Divorce?" - There are many well-meaning Bible students who believe and teach that the Bible presents a proper or legitimate reason for seeking a divorce. Usually that reason is given as adultery. In other words, the reasoning goes that if a spouse has committed adultery, then a believer has a "Bible" reason for getting a divorce. This reasoning is usually developed from a misunderstanding of Jesus' teaching regarding divorce from Matthew nineteen. Jesus clearly taught that divorce was not a part of the Biblical make-up of marriage from the beginning (19:4). He taught that two people become one flesh in a marriage union (v.5). He further taught that the marriage bond was sacred! No one was to break the marriage bond, for God had put the two together in holy matrimony (v.6). He even asked a question regarding why Moses allowed divorce for the Children of Israel (v.7), and he answered his own question. Moses allowed ("suffered") the writing of divorce due to the hardness of the heart (v.8). Therefore, we must contend that the seeking of a divorce today is due to the hardness of the heart, and not due to the compassion we ought to express toward our spouses. Jesus re-stressed the fact that divorce was not the way of God from the beginning (v.8). Then comes the verse with the exception clause - the clause that is used by the supporters of divorce to find Jesus' alleged sanctioning of divorce. But let me ask you to read the verse without the dependent exception clause. You will find that whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery, which is exactly what Jesus said in Mark 10:11. It is quite clear from this reading, that divorce is wrong and is the essence of the commission of adultery. Therefore, I contend that the exception is not an excuse for divorce, but rather a dismission of the commission of adultery. In other words, if adultery has already taken place by the wayward spouse (wife in the Biblical context), the divorcing spouse (the husband) does not commit adultery himself when he "puts away his wife" (the language of divorce in the Bible). The teaching of Jesus is not an endorsement for getting a divorce. God still hates divorce (Mal. 2:16). Of course, it is not possible to address all of the questions, problems, and situations regarding divorce in a short article, but suffice it to say that married couples must do everything in a Biblical fashion to guard their marriages from default. Hedges about the marriage relationship are certainly appropriate as deterrents against divorce. Keep the hedges mended around your home!!

 

Heritage Baptist Church ~ The Lord has been giving us some good services during March and April. We introduced Bro. Chet Kulus to the church. He is currently our Music Director and an Assistant to the Pastor. He and his wife, Maggie, have volunteered to serve the Lord in a number of capacities here at HBC. He is another good preacher that the Lord has brought our way. Pray for the Lord's direction in their lives and ministries.

 

Answers to Prayer:

Prayer Requests:

• May 2 ~ Mother/Daughter Tea with Karen Sweitzer
• May 22-24 ~ Special Meetings with Dr. William Starnes - 7 PM nightly Friday & Saturday, and regular services all day Sunday.
• May 31 ~ 5th Sunday of the Month Hymn Sing in evening service
• June 13 ~ Men's Prayer Breakfast
• July 27-31 ~ Polar Extremes Vacation Bible School