Pastoral Notes for Sunday, August 13, 2023

Dear Cornerstone Family,

In our ongoing series in the book of Ephesians, we considered last week Ephesians 4:1-14. If you were with us, you will remember we examined in some detail the sin of sexual immorality. One of the things we saw last week was that sexual immorality, though a bodily act, never begins with the body. It begins, rather, with the mind dwelling on impurity and with a heart eaten up with covetousness, which is, at its root, idolatry (v.5).

The passage last week was addressing how sexuality can go wrong. It did not, however, specifically address the created good that sexuality is. In a few weeks, we will get the chance to carry this thread further when we explore the Bible’s teaching on gender, marriage, and complementarity when we spend two weeks on Ephesians 5:22-33. Given, however, the significant confusion in our day, I wanted to take a few minutes to briefly outline three (postive) foundational biblical truths regarding human sexuality:

First, God created the sexual differences of man and woman. God created us as sexual beings. Sexuality is part and parcel to what it means to be a human person. One of the many reasons Christians cannot support transgender assumptions and beliefs about the human person is that a Christian believes the physical creation of our bodies is meaningful. We are not, in other words, simply what we think or feel ourselves to be internally. Our identity as human beings is bound up with our bodies. Being created male and female is an essential quality of what it means to be a human person (Genesis 1:26-28).

Second, God created sex as a gift to be used for his glory. Sex is not ultimately about us. It’s about God and His glory. In 1 Cor. 6:12-20, Paul says, “The body is not meant for sexual immorality.” Now, what would you expect him to say next? You would expect him to say, “The body is meant for sexual morality.” In other words, you would expect him to advance the biblically defined parameters for sexual intimacy. Interestingly, that’s not what Paul does. Instead, he says, “The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body...do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body.” As we’ll see in our next point, Paul is not speaking against the biblical design for sexuality. He is, rather, identifying the ultimate end of sexuality: God’s glory.

Third, God created sex as an expression of covenant love within the bounds of marriage. In Genesis 2:24 we read, “For this cause a man shall leave his family and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” The language of “hold fast” or “leave and cleave” is the language of covenant. The husband is leaving behind his previous attachments, and he is forming a new covenantal relationship with his wife. The consummation or ratifying of that covenant is the sexual union. In other words, sex completes the covenantal union. The sexual union is the capstone of the marriage relationship. This by definition excludes any notions of premarital sex, adultery, or any other form of sexual behavior outside the confines of the marriage covenant.

Obviously, there are many more important truths regarding sexuality in the Bible to discuss and many more matters related to sexuality in our culture to address. I hope, however, these three truths help lay foundations for a positive vision of sexuality from a Christian perspective.

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, August 6, 2023

Dear Cornerstone Family,

Is that a school bell I hear? Indeed, it is! Summer break has drawn (or is quickly drawing) to a close. It’s time to sharpen your pencils and your mind. Ready or not, a new school year is upon us!

Though it’s always bittersweet to see summer go, I love new beginnings. It’s an opportunity to stop and assess things. To see what worked and what didn’t in the previous season. To reprioritize and make adjustments in hopes to see more health and growth in the coming season.

Not long ago I was speaking at a teacher in service training. After giving a snapshot of our current educational landscape in light of historical definitions of education, I asked the question, “How can you help instill in your students a love for what is good, right, and true?”

Some responded, “Well, God must do it.” That is right. But it’s right in exactly the way the farmer is right when he says, “How am I going to get a harvest this year? God is going to have to give the growth.” In saying that, the farmer does not mean there’s nothing he’s responsible to do. The farmer knows that God uses means to bring forth that growth.

In other words, God bringing forth the growth is no excuse for the farmer to sit on his front porch and drink sweet tea. He must work. He must plant. He must water, fertilize, and weed. He must labor by the sweat of his brow in order to create conditions favorable for growth.

Growth in the Christian life works the same way. The Scriptures speak of our heart as a field teeming with potential for growth (Matthew 13:1-23). This fall, something will grow in your heart and life; that’s inevitable. The question is: what will it be, and will it last? Will thorns and thistles flourish, or will it be the seed of the gospel bearing the fruit of the Spirit?

Parents, consider the field of your home. Are you spreading the seed of the gospel and turning it over into the hearts of your children? Are you praying with and for your children, modeling the love of Christ, living lives of repentance? Grandparents, how can your unique role be used for the cultivation of godliness in the lives of your grandchildren? Are you a college student? How could you set a tone with your speech and conduct that will aid the growth in grace of your classmates?

Teachers, we are especially thinking and praying for you. It is a beautiful calling the Lord has given you. But it’s a hard calling, too. It’s easy to grow weary in doing good. Despite how it may appear at times, God is at work through your efforts. Be an ambassador for Christ in the lives of your students. Work hard at cultivating conditions favorable for growth, and then rest—trusting God for the growth that only He can give (1 Corinthians 3:6-9).

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, July 30, 2023

Dear Cornerstone Family,

It's been a joy to witness God at work in our midst throughout the month of July. Though I’ve been out two Sundays, it’s been particularly meaningful for me to catch up during the week on livestream and benefit from worship and especially the preaching of our dear brothers, Mr. Nathan Johnson on July 2nd and Rev. Tony Giles this last Sunday, July 23rd. 

 Also, from a ministry programming standpoint, though we’ve missed our regular summer Sunday School, it’s been bustling during the week. From Monday night with young adults, Tuesday night with women, Wednesday night with youth, and Thursday night with men, it's been a full weekly rhythm of ministries. That is to say nothing of the very successful youth mission trip with Joni and Friends and the various children’s and nursery ministry park play dates!

Last week when I was at First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC, on the heels of taking a doctoral class at Reformed Theological Seminary, I was asked how Cornerstone fares in my absence. I responded, “Are you kidding? We have the best staff and volunteer leaders in the world. Things run smoother when I am gone!” I love boasting in the Lord’s provision at Cornerstone!

On that note, I’d like to publicly thank the Cornerstone staff, elders, and deacons for the way they’ve stepped up, served, and advanced the cause of the gospel this summer. It has been a very long summer of ministry for me, and I’ve been out of pocket a bit more than usual. My absence has placed an increased burden on a number of our staff and officers, and yet ministry has advanced more than ever! Just today (Thursday), a member called to tell me how much a certain ministry has meant to them the last couple of weeks as they passed through a difficult patch. My heart is warmed by these beautiful testimonies of God’s work in our midst. I hope you will join me in rejoicing!

Before I conclude, I want to give a brief update on the renovation plans. As you’ve noticed, we’ve made slow but sure progress on the sanctuary, but the planned renovations for the first and third floors have yet to begin. The reason is that the actual bid for the renovations of the first and third floors was about $500,000 more than originally estimated. Given this significant increase in cost, and in light of our added space across the street (203 3rd Avenue South), we have carefully reevaluated and reprioritized our needs. At this point, we are looking to renovate the first floor, which will greatly increase our fellowship and overflow space, and postpone the third floor renovations for at least a year if not longer. Thankfully, with the purchase of 203 3rd Avenue, the third floor of the chapel can be utilized to meet current Sunday School needs as we approach the fall.

Thank you for continuing to pray for and support the ministry of Cornerstone. It is such a  blessing to be a part of this wonderful community of faith.

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, July 23, 2023

Dear Cornerstone Family,

I’m away teaching the summer lectureship series at First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC, and preaching for my dear friend and mentor, Dr. Derek Thomas. Some of you likely recognize Dr. Thomas’s name. He’s a teaching fellow with Ligonier ministries, a regular conference speaker, and a widely published author. In fact, several of his books are on our church bookshelf this morning!

I’ve had the privilege of knowing Dr. Thomas for nearly two decades. He was my Systematic Theology professor at Reformed Theological Seminary. I also served on the ministerial staff with him at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, MS, and, for several years, I was his assistant editor at reformation21, the online ezine of The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. Though I’m saddened to not be with you, I am grateful to serve Dr. Thomas and FPC Columbia.

Now, I’m sometimes asked, “Whose preaching do you like to listen to the most?” When I’m asked that, I usually hear that question this way: “Whose preaching do you spiritually benefit from the most?” There are several names that immediately come to mind including John Piper, Tim Keller, and Sinclair Ferguson. But truth be told, of all the preachers of our generation, none have I benefited from more than Dr. Derek Thomas.

Isn’t it true that there are some preachers who the Lord uses in a special way in our lives? Take a minute to survey the variety of preachers the Lord has brought into your life. Isn’t it true that there’s one or two preachers that the Lord has used in your life in a particularly meaningful way? God has used Dr. Thomas in my life in that way. I often have the distinct spiritual sense that I am meeting with the Lord when I hear him preach. Now, that is true of course in a real (objective) sense every time the Word is opened whether we recognize it or not, for God promises to meet with us through the Word. But what I mean in this case is something felt—something experienced. I mean my heart is addressed in a real, vital, and personal way by the Lord through the ministry of his preaching.

In saying that, I want to encourage you today as you listen to the Word. Remember, God is speaking to you. God is addressing you. You are not just doing worship. This is not simply a command performance. You are meeting with the living God. Listen closely to what he has to say to you today. Even now as you sit in the pew and await worship, prayerfully prepare your heart to meet with the Lord. For He has called you here today to meet with you.

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, July 16, 2023

Dear Cornerstone Family,

I’m pleased to report that our new Director of Youth and Families, Drew Abercrombie, and his wife, Kelly, and their two sons, Samuel and Silas, arrived in middle Tennessee this week. For the next several weeks, the Abercrombies will be settling into their new place and easing into life here in Franklin. Drew will officially step into the role of Director of Youth and Families on August 1st.

If you haven’t already, please mark your calendars for Sunday August 6th. In between services (9:45-10:35am), we will officially introduce the Abercrombies and spend time getting to know Drew. We would love to see all Cornerstone members present, especially Cornerstone Youth and parents!

Now, last week I mentioned three books I completed in June, and several of you asked me if I enjoy watching movies, too. The short answer is, “Yes!” I do love a good movie (though I find them harder to come by these days).

Christy and I did catch “A Man Called Otto” about a month ago. It’s an excellent film based on the book, A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. It’s the story of a man––Ove in the book, Otto in the movie––who lost his wife and then lost his will to live. The story follows Ove’s/Otto’s descent into isolation and suicidal despair toward a redeemed—even resurrected—life full of vocational purpose and meaningful relationships. It’s a touching film with a compelling script and great acting. If you watch it, pay close attention to the gospel arc in the story.

On that note, we enjoy watching movies together as a church community from time to time. When we watch films, there are several principles we keep in mind. But one in particular comes to mind right now.

When you watch movies, consider the leading questions and concerns of the film and how those questions and concerns relate to our cultural moment and the gospel. Movies are a window or an inside track to what the culture thinks is important. If we’re reflective about our movie intake and pay attention to the questions and concerns being raised, and then prayerfully reflect on the connection between the questions and concerns and the gospel, we will be better prepared to bear witness for Christ in our time and place.

On that note, Julie Davis encourages us to ask four questions each time we watch a movie:

• What does this movie say/teach about God?
• What does the movie say/teach about humanity?
• What does the movie teach/portray as the basis for right and wrong?

• What does the movie claim to be the purpose/meaning of life?

Now, a lot more could be said, but if you started with these four questions, and reflectively considered how the answers to these questions are corrected by or are in keeping with the gospel, your movie watching experience will be enriched all the more. More than that, you might be better equipped to give a wise and compelling defense for the hope within you (1 Peter 3:15).

Your servant,