Pastoral Notes for Sunday, September 8, 2019

“My heart is heavy. My mind is a blur. I can’t really feel anything until all the sudden I feel everything and then break down. I’m not really sure why I’m here. I just need help.”

I penned those words in the notes of my first counseling session. The man who had come to me for help was riddled with depression brought on by a series of traumatic events extending back to childhood. He’d reached a breaking point in his life. You could literally see the pain on his face; it was as if he was wearing it. His shoulders were slumped, his eyes darkened, his appearance disheveled.

Though you wouldn’t think so, this was the look of a man on the cusp of radical transformation. Over the course of the next couple of months, his posture changed, his eyes brightened, and he began tucking in his shirt. In saying that, I don’t mean to suggest, of course, that he was doing anything sinful by slouching or not tucking in his shirt, but, in this case, the fact that these things changed was evidence of a bigger, deeper change. This man was finding renewal in the power of the gospel.

That man would become to me an example. An example I would need to remember when I had my own bout with depression years later. It was fairly low-grade as far as depression goes, but for someone who is typically glass-half-full about life, it was deeply unsettling. Mental fog descended into my psyche. Impatience and frustration replaced kindness and empathy in family and ministry difficulties. Emotional scars that I thought were long gone resurfaced and haunted my thoughts.

Though I’m not sure it was noticeable outwardly, it was inescapable inwardly—I needed help. I needed friends to cry with, counselors to speak with, and pastors to care for my soul. I needed someone to serve me the medicine that I had served others but was unable to receive from myself. Hear me when I say this: I couldn’t do it myself. Even though I knew the answers, I couldn’t “hear” the answers from myself, for myself. I needed someone else to minister them to me. Only then could I be helped.

Take a moment this morning to look around the sanctuary. Many of those around you are suffering in silent. If you’re one of those, take heart. You’re not alone. You’ve come to the right place. Open your heart to the ministry of the gospel today in worship. Fill out a prayer card. Approach a pastor or elder for help. If by grace, you’re walking in a season of spiritual encouragement, give thanks and minister to those around you. Listen for the heartaches and needs in conversations. Pray with and for those around you. If appropriate, remind them of gospel promises. In every way, serve the medicine of grace today.

For if history holds true, you’ll need them to do the same to you very soon.

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, September 1, 2019

“Teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom.”—Psalm 90:12

For most of human history, there was no clock. No big or small hand to mark the hours and minutes. No bright digits identifying the time of the day. For most of human history, people looked to the heavens. They paid attention to the sunrise and sunset. Throughout the day, they paid attention to the sun as it made its daily trek across the sky. They were ordered by the rhythms of creation.

With the invention of the mechanical clock, time began to be measured more precisely. Small units of time framed the day. The day was scheduled by the hour, and so rather than looking to the heavens, we had to check that circle on the wall or on our wrist to get our bearings.

In many ways, the clock made life more efficient and orderly. With the measurement of hours, minutes, and seconds, the trains could literally run on time. We could be specific about when and where to be and when things started and ended. The clock helped set firmer boundaries for the ordering of life.

At the same time, the clock also made life more rigid. With time being organized into smaller units of measurement, we began to calendar our days in smaller increments. We tried to fit more and more into the days time slots. In a word, we began to order our lives according to the clock rather than the heavens.

It wasn’t long before we began to feel the pressure of the tick-tock. Time management systems arose, and we began to speak of time in economic terms like, “Time is our most valuable asset” or “We need to save time” or “We need to spend time wisely.”

Interestingly, the more detailed we became about measuring time, the more we tried to manage time, the more we tried to fit into our schedules, and the more we felt like we didn’t have enough of time. We began to say things like, “There just aren’t enough hours in a day.”

Now, let’s pause and think about that statement for a moment. Do we really think that God made days too short? Do we really think that what we have to do is so important that it requires a longer day than the one God supplies? Of course we don’t mean it in that way, but that’s the implication.

It has been argued that God created time and placed human beings within time as an ongoing reminder that He’s the Creator and we are creatures. If we think we need more time than He’s given, we’re actually kicking against the fact that we’re creatures and not the Creator. We’re rebelling against the constraints of not being in charge. 

God has given you and I and everyone in the world the same amount of time in the day, and as far as I can tell, that’s not going to change any time soon. What could change, however, is how we think about time, how we talk about time, and how we experience time. In other words, we could once again “look to the heavens” and learn how to redeem time for the purposes God intended (Ephesians 5:16).

Join us on Wednesday nights this fall for a topical series entitled, Redeeming Time. Starting on September 11th, we will explore fascinating Biblical topics such as the creation of time, the ordering of time, and the relationship of time and eternity alongside practical subjects like the rhythm of work and rest, calendaring margin, and learning to enjoy your limited time as a gift from God.

Can you think of a better way to redeem the time than to spend Wednesday nights with the Cornerstone family? Let’s take some time to talk about time and learn how to redeem the time God has given us.

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, August 25, 2019

We announced a month ago that the elders extended a call to Rev. Ben Griffith to be an Assistant Pastor at Cornerstone. As you might imagine, Ben and his wife, Rebecca, have been busy making all the necessary preparations for the big move to Franklin—selling a home, buying a home, packing, registering for school, etc. Thankfully, if all goes according to plan, the preparation to move stage will end this week. Lord willing, the Griffith’s will close on their house in Franklin and move this week!

 As they take this big step, continue praying for them. Pray practically for the details of the closing and move to go smooth. But more importantly, pray for their hearts. They are leaving a sweet community in Hattiesburg, MS, and it’s hard to say so many tearful goodbyes and turn around and say many excited hellos. Pray especially for their sweet children—Margaret (10), Owen (8), and Elizabeth “Libby” (5). They will see Franklin and their new home for the first time this week! Pray their first few days in Franklin are filled with surprising joys and new anticipations.

Thanks to the many of you who have asked what you can do to welcome the Griffith’s to Franklin and Cornerstone. My wife, Christy, has pulled together a team of folks that are preparing meals and helping care for the needs of the Griffith’s during the transition. If you are interested in being included in some way, feel free to drop Christy a line at cjshurden@yahoo.com.

As we prepare for Ben to join the pastoral staff, it’s appropriate to ask the question, “What exactly will Ben be doing?” Like Tony and I, Ben’s first and primary responsibility will be to care for the flock of God at Cornerstone. He will spend the majority of his time ministering the ordinary means of grace—teaching, preaching, leading, and discipling the congregation at large. Ben will spend a smaller, more concentrated portion of his time serving our youth ministry, primarily through equipping and training volunteers, ministering to families, and teaching on Wednesday nights.

One of the many things that drew us to Ben was his desire and gifting to work with the whole church in a variety of different capacities. You will see Ben in the pulpit, behind the lectern, in a small group, at a hospital bedside, across the table at Merridee’s, and just about everywhere in between. He strives to be a pastor who serves God’s people according to the priorities of the Bible, believing that happens most effectively when the shepherd is with the sheep. I am personally delighted at Ben’s eagerness to get-to-know you and throw himself into the work of ministry at Cornerstone, so that we might further our mission: “To glorify God in the gospel together as disciples who make disciples.”

   

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, August 18, 2019

With the start of the fall term of Sunday School ministries, I’ve asked the various leaders of these discipleship ministries to give us a preview of what is coming up during the next few months.

Children’s Sunday School: The children’s Sunday school classes will study a variety of topics this fall and throughout the school year. Our youngest children will be learning about how God created all things and about the promises God has given his people to redeem the world. The younger elementary classes will be studying what worship is and why we worship. The older elementary classes will study and memorize the New City Catechism with the goal of learning sound doctrine and biblical truths. The 6th graders will complete a New Testament survey throughout the course of the year. We are so thankful for great teachers and materials to help our children grow in their faith. 

Koinonia Class: For the Fall, The Koinonia Class will continue our discussion of Romans—currently about half way through. We plan to join the Chapel Class for the Aging Matters class from October 13- November 10.

 Chapel Class and Youth: In this seven-week series, entitled Upon This Rock: Foundations for Life Together Pastor Nate with others from the church staff are returning to our key vision and value commitments; that we might renew our commitment to God’s glorious vision for the church. These topics will be taught to adults in the Chapel Class and to the Youth at Merridees at the same time.

The Gospel Centered Life: Keeping First Things First 

Going the Next Step: Applying the Gospel to the Heart 

The Body of Christ: How the Gospel Builds Community 

Christ’s Church, Christ’s Way: Trusting the Means of Grace 

A Worshipping Community: Praising the God of the Gospel  

A Discipling Community: Growing Together in the Gospel  

A Missional Community: Living for the Spread of the Gospel

 Following this series, the Youth will proceed with a study on their own, and the Chapel class will start a series on Aging Matters.

Chapel Class and Koinonia Class—October 13-November 10

“Guidance from God (and advice from one another) for engaging with our aging” 

That’s a modified line from the sub-title of J.I. Packer’s excellent book entitled Finishing Our Course with Joy.  It’s also an apt description of a brief series Aging Matters, October 13 - November 10.

You will hear from a variety of presenters from our church family covering such matters as biblical principles for finishing well, estate planning and wills, funerals and end-of-life decisions. This will benefit you personally or as one of those helping aging parents address these important matters. Aging is a reality to both embrace and (yes) enjoy, for as Psalm 92 teaches us, the righteous still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green. 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, August 11, 2019

God Meant It For Good: An Introduction To The Joseph Story

For good reason, the Joseph story is one of the most beloved in all the Scriptures. Of all the characters in Genesis, Joseph is among the most exemplary in character. He trusts and obeys the Lord despite many tragic circumstances. In fact, things go poorly for Joseph right from the beginning, yet as one heartbreaking event after another unfolds, God’s providence intervenes again and again to rescue and redeem.

The Joseph narrative is “a hero story par excellence” according to Leland Ryken. From the key characters, to the setting, to the intrigue and suspense—all woven together with the presence, power, and plan of God—makes the Joseph story one of the most captivating redemption stories in the Bible.

With that said, questions exist about whether the Joseph story occupies the same level of significance in redemptive history as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob’s stories. For instance, throughout the Bible, we read about the “God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Gen. 50:24, Ex. 3:5, Acts 7:32), but Joseph’s name is never included in the list. A variety of explanations have been advanced over the years; some suggesting it’s best not to think of Joseph as a patriarch but to instead approach the story as a historical bridge. That is, a story that connects the books of Genesis and Exodus by giving historical explanation for how God’s people end up in Egypt. 

Though it is true enough that the Joseph story is a historical retelling that gives explanation for why Exodus opens in Egypt, this explanation alone doesn’t go far enough. It says nothing for instance about the theological basis or spiritual purpose behind the narrative. When we take in the whole of the Joseph narrative, the theological and spiritual import comes clear. In short, the Joseph narrative is first and foremost a story of the faithfulness of God to His covenantal promises through the display of his providential power and care.

This is best summarized in the key verse of the Joseph story, Genesis 50:20. As one of the most powerful men in the world at the time, Joseph looks at his needy brothers who decades earlier sold him into slavery. As readers, we half expect Joseph to let them have it, but Joseph does no such thing. Instead, he sees his unjust suffering as a part of God’s sovereign plan of salvation: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, for the saving of many lives”(Gen. 50:20). In a sentence, Joseph summarized the truth of his life and the place of his story in redemptive history. For God meaning for good what we mean for evil and saving many lives in the process reflects the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

On that note, God means good for us in the study of Joseph this fall. Do not miss the blessing He has in store for you! Commit to read each week in the devotional as we course through selected Scriptures, exploring the main themes from the weekly sermon passages. And as we see Joseph suffer, often undeservingly, for the saving of many, let’s look to the greater Joseph, the Lord Jesus Christ, for He alone is the perfect Suffering Servant, who suffered undeservingly for the salvation of many more—even you and me.