Pastoral Notes for Sunday, March 11, 2018

Have you ever noticed how much Jesus prays? Pressed on every side with needs and demands, He constantly pulls away from the crowds to spend time with His Father in prayer. He never allows the urgencies of the world to tyrannize His day. Prayer always takes priority.

When Jesus pulls away to pray, he sometimes goes alone, but very often he invites others to join him. For instance, just before the Transfiguration, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John on a mountain to pray with Him (Luke 9:28). On the night before His crucifixion, he takes his disciples with him to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray (Matthew 26:36). Jesus regularly prayed with others.

It’s no surprise then that the early church took up that same devotion to prayer. Listening to the Apostles teaching, fellowshipping around meals, and praying with and for one another; these were the means through which the church community thrived (Acts 2:42-47). When they gathered for prayer (Acts 3:1, 4:23-31, 6:1-5, 12:1-11), they prayed for all sorts of things—physical healing, provision for the poor, spiritual protection, nations and rulers, the preached Word, and the growth of the gospel. Like children to a Father, the early church took everything to the Lord in prayer together.

Clearly, prayer was the lifeblood of the early church. They knew that no significant work of God should be expected apart from the work of prevailing prayer. That prayer is the means God most often uses to bring about renewal and revival in the church. Since this is true, there’s simply no way to overestimate the importance of prayer.

Believing all this, a small band of folks from Cornerstone approached the elders two years ago about a desire to start a prayer ministry. They noticed we prayed faithfully in worship, in our men and women’s Bible studies, in our Home Fellowship Groups, and seasonally on Wednesday nights as a whole church. But they also noticed that we didn’t have a good way to gather in one place the needs of the body. Further, they noticed that we didn’t have a dedicated group of members who were regularly devoting their gifts, attention, and energy to praying for the needs of the church and the world.

In 2016, that began to change. Endeavoring to become a church more and more marked by prayer, the prayer ministry team was born. Since that time, men and women of various ages and stages have given countless hours to the receiving, compiling, updating, and praying for a wide range of critical prayer needs in our body, our local community, our nation, and around the world.

Permit me to share one recent personal story. When the onslaught of seasonal allergies descended on me last week and I began to lose my voice, I sent a text to the elders to ask them to pray for my health. Jim Payne, Chairman of the Prayer Team, sent my prayer request on to the prayer team. Within two hours, I had e-mail encouragements and prayers (as well as some helpful medical advice!) from several members of the prayer team. How great is that!

We want to see testimonies like mine to increase throughout our body! To that end, let me challenge you. What is it that you need prayer for right now? Identify just one thing. Now ask yourself, “Have I asked anyone to pray for me about this?” If the answer to that question is no, then right now stop and send the request to the prayer team by either writing it down on the prayer card in the pew rack in front of you or e-mailing prayer@cstonepres.org. In a matter of hours, you’ll have a dozen people lifting you up by name before the throne of grace.

Let’s covenant together to open up our lives in prayer and become more and more a church marked by a devotion to prayer.

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, March 4, 2018

In response to the increase of violent crimes at churches, the Cornerstone leadership informed you several months ago that we would be looking into ways we can enhance the security of our congregation while maintaining a warm, welcoming, and worshipful environment.

Under the leadership of Jim Robinson, Chairman of our Safety Team, a number of important security advances have already been made with more steps expected soon. I asked Jim Robinson to pen a brief security update for the Pastoral Notes this morning to keep you abreast of what’s happening. Please take a few minutes now to read Jim’s security update below:

We had safety assessments performed by the Franklin Police Department and a Christian based security company. These assessments helped us see areas for improvement for our facility and ministry procedures.

First, we installed a new locking system that allows us to set the times that the main side entrance (glass doors) is locked. The doors will be opened during our normal worship service hours on Sunday and Wednesday night. But to ensure the safety of the staff and students at New College Franklin, we will be initiating a policy that requires the doors to be locked unless there is a security Watchman on duty. There is a buzzer, camera and intercom at the door now. Our Office Administrator, Susan Bumpus, is able to open the door from her desk if she’s available. That said, if you are going to be visiting the church during the week, it would be wise to call ahead or make prior arrangements to eliminate any potential frustration in gaining entry.

Second, we have begun forming a team of men that we’re calling “Watchmen.” Our goal is to have one of them out front for the Sunday and Wednesday services. We are purchasing radios to establish communication between the Watchman, the Deacon on Duty, the nursery, and the High school class at Merridee’s. Ideally, we would like to have the team composed of men in the range of 39-50 years old. If you would consider serving on this team and have not been contacted already, please call or email Todd Russell at ctoddrussell@gmail.com. 

Third, we are looking for a short-term solution to better secure the two sets of outer double doors into the sanctuary. The building committee has plans to redo the doors, but any changes must meet city codes and the requirements of the Franklin Historical Society. 

Fourth, we are in the planning stages of forming a response team and a congregational plan in the unlikely event of a disturbance during a worship service. More information on this will be forthcoming.

Please pray for the leadership team as we consider and prioritize other safety measures. We could spend thousands of dollars on things like safety coatings for ground floor windows and doors, outside lighting, door alarms, etc. That said, we have limited funding for safety issues and building upgrades. We want to be sure that we steward our resources faithfully as we strive to make Cornerstone a safe and welcoming environment for all.

Let me take a moment just to say “Thank you” to Jim Robinson and the security team for the many hours they’ve already put into this initiative. They are doing a fantastic job, and I know we are all grateful for their work.

If you have any questions concerning security, please do not hesitate to reach out to Jim Robinson at jc2robinson@comcast.net. He would be glad to hear from you.

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, February 25, 2018

In our order of service during the six weeks of the Lenten season, you’ll notice that we are utilizing the 10 commandments. You’ll also notice that the 10 commandments will be placed differently throughout the order of worship so as to highlight different purposes or uses of the law. As you read that, maybe you’re wondering, “The law has different purposes or uses?” Yes, it does—theologians identify at least three primary uses of the law. 

First, in the civil sphere, the law plays the role of keeping order by restraining wrongdoing or law breaking. Many times we don’t do something, like speeding, not because we don’t want to but because we don’t want to get caught! That’s the first use of the law. This use of the law keeps things orderly by outlining consequences and sanctions if the law is broken. This is why sometimes it’s called the civic use of the law (see Romans 13:1-7).

Secondly, the law is a reflection of the character of God and thus reveals our sin and our need for a Savior. In Galatians 3:24-26, Paul says that the law is a “schoolmaster” or “tutor” to lead us to Christ. In saying it that way, Paul is highlighting how the law teaches God’s perfect standard and our inability to obey its demands, leading us to conviction of sin and to our need for a Savior. In this sense, the law is used by the Holy Spirit to stir up guilt in the heart and pointing to the answer for that guilt, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thirdly, the law teaches the Christian the way of righteousness. This use of the law John Calvin unfolded during the Reformation. Calvin recognized that following conversion, a believer relates to the law not to be condemned by it, for Christ has removed condemnation (Romans 8:1), but as a guide that teaches him the way to live. For the Christian, the law becomes our delight and meditation (Psalm 1:2, 119:97) for he knows Christ lifted the law’s condemnation and saved him. As a part of that salvation, we are sanctified. We desire to please God with our life. As this happens, keeping the law becomes our happy choice.

As we worship together through Lent, pay attention to the placement of the 10 commandments and how we speak about the law in worship. But even more importantly, pray that you’d grow to love the perfections of God’s law and experience its refreshment as you grow in grace. That we might say with the Psalmist, “How sweet are your words to taste, sweeter than honey!” (Psalm 119:103)

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, February 18, 2018

“Do not despise the day of small things for God rejoices to see the work began”—Zechariah 4:10

It all started in 1971 in Hattiesburg, MS, at the University of Southern Mississippi. Pastor Mark Lowry began gathering with college students in small groups, opening up the Scripture, ministering the gospel, and teaching the theological distinctions of the reformed faith. It may not have seemed like much then, but God had big plans. Forty-six years later, the ministry of Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) is on more than 140 campuses nationwide. From coast to coast, students are being introduced to the doctrines of grace and the Lordship of Christ. Many are learning for the first time how God’s Word impacts every area of life as they are equipped to be life-long servants of the church and the world.

Since our beginning, Cornerstone has partnered with RUF in their mission to bring the message of the gospel to college campuses. Within our presbytery, there are six RUF ministries that we support as a church:

·      Vanderbilt University – Rev. Richie Sessions

·      Belmont University – Kevin Twit

·      Middle Tennessee State University – Matt Alexander

·      Western Kentucky University – Ross Lockwood

·      Austin Peay State University – Rev. Austin Royal

·      Tennessee Tech University  – Rev. Gavin Breeden

Today for worship, we’re taking time to highlight the ministry of RUF. To help us do that, I’ve asked Rev. Gavin Breeden from Tennessee Tech. University to bring God’s Word to us. Gavin grew up down the street in Martin, TN and attended college at UT-Martin where he studied Philosophy. While at UT-Martin, Gavin got involved with RUF where he met Shalaine, a cross country/track star from Henderson, KY. They married in June 2006 and soon thereafter moved to Charlotte, NC for Gavin to attend seminary at Reformed Theological Seminary where he was awarded a Masters of Divinity degree in 2011. After graduation, Gavin accepted a call to be an Assistant Pastor at Northpointe Presbyterian Church in Meridian, MS. In July 2015, the Campus Ministry Committee of the Nashville Presbytery extended a call to Gavin to become our next campus minister at Tennessee Tech. Gavin and Shalaine have three precious children: Addie Pearl (born March 2011), Miles (born May 2013), and Stella (born November 2015).

I get the privilege, along with Ruler Elder Steve Green, to serve on the campus ministry committee of the Nashville Presbytery. We can tell you first hand that Gavin is doing an excellent job serving the truth of God’s Word to the students at Tennessee Tech. Please take time after the service to welcome Gavin to Cornerstone and give close attention to the message he’s come to deliver from Luke 8:26-39.

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, February 11, 2018

February 14th is not only Valentines Day this year. It’s also the official beginning of our Wednesday night Lenten season! That means we will gather at 5:30pm as a congregation this Wednesday night for food and fellowship, followed at 6:15pm by a brief Vesper’s service and a special six-week teaching series.

Leaning on the language of James 4:8 and Hebrews 10:19-22, I’ve entitled the teaching series, “Drawing Near to God.” It is a series designed to help us take spiritual inventory of our lives and to explore key Christian practices for an intimate walk with God.

Drawing Near to God

February 14 – Fasting: Making Space for God

February 21 – Retreat: Getting Away with God

February 28 – Meditating: Hearing from God

March 7 – Praying: Speaking with God

March 14 – Fellowship: Meeting with God

March 21 – Discipleship: Becoming like God

Now, if you’re new to the idea of the Lenten season, please know you’re not alone. In fact, Protestant Christians have for centuries been divided on the practice of Lent. It’s not commanded in Scripture and has been prone to abuse at different times throughout church history. So why would Cornerstone choose to practice Lent despite these realities?

Two years ago She Reads Truth and He Reads Truth, an online daily Bible reading program, asked me that question. At their request, I penned a biblical-theological defense for why a Protestant might practice of Lent. I’m republishing that piece below in hopes that it will explain why we’ve chosen to redeem the tradition of the Lenten season as a time of preparation for Good Friday and Easter. Hope you find it helpful.

The grand narrative of God’s Word through history is more than a tall tale. It is a historical record of real events with real people in real places and in real time. Indeed, as Paul makes plain in his letter to the church at Corinth, if Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection did not actually take place in time and space, then all is lost. We of all people are most to be pitied (1 Corinthians 15:9).

God not only authored the Bible’s true story, He’s its lead actor. Behind the flood, the call of Abraham, the Exodus, the rise of King David, the exile and return of Israel, and every other redemptive act—God is present and the prime mover. On every page of the Bible, God is the hero of the story. As the author and hero of redemption, God calls His people to remember the great things He has done (Deuteronomy 8:1-3).

One of the means God used to stir the mind and imaginations of His people to remembrance was a calendar. From the Day of Atonement to the weekly Sabbath, to the annual feasts and festivals, God calendared salvation history in order to help the prone-to-forgetfulness Israelites relive their redemption each year (Leviticus 23). Rightfully so, the shadow of the Old Testament calendar faded in the bright light of Christ’s fulfillment (Colossians 2:16-17). Although God issued no new calendar requirement for the New Testament church, He gave His people the freedom to order their days while maintaining the commitment to remember the redemption of Jesus Christ (Romans 15:4-9, Galatians 3:1-14, Romans 6:5-11, 2 Peter 1:3-11).

Not as a biblical requirement but as a discipleship tool, the early church began marking the days by the life and ministry of Jesus (Advent to Ascension) and the life and ministry of His church (Pentecost to Ordinary Time). Many Christians throughout the centuries have kept the practice, finding it a helpful means of remembering and connecting to both the life of Christ and the reality of His church, reaching around the world and across generations.

In that spirit, we invite you to join us for the forty days of Lent, as we prayerfully prepare for the heartbreaking and heart-mending climax of the Christian year—the crucifixion and resurrection of our Savior.