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Pastor's Corner
Dear Friends,
Several weeks ago I found myself saying, and regrettably so, "I wish that football season would hurry up and get here so I can be distracted from all of the nonsense in our media and culture." Let me tell you why I regret that statement I made. Now that football is here, and yes it is a welcomed entertainment that is enshrined in our southern culture, I find that it too is now a distraction. It's a distraction just like all distractions - it pulls me away from Jesus and what is most important to Him.
At the end of the book of Ecclesiastes, a summary is given to us by Solomon. It is a summary for this wisdom literature in God's Word, but it is indeed a summary, a thesis statement for all of life: The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV). Let's break this verse down for a moment.
The first instruction given to us is to fear God. The fear of the LORD is a rich, Biblical theme in all of the Bible. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! (Psalm 111:10 ESV) Immediately when we hear the word fear, we think of being afraid or worried about something. But in Scripture, the fear the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. To fear the LORD is to worship Him. The fear of the LORD is to love Him. The fear of the LORD is to know Him and to be known by him.
The second thing that we are told in this conclusion from Ecclesiastes is to keep God's Commandments. Often times we say statements like this and read statements like this and we immediately settle into a legalistic mindset. But it's important to note that fearing God and keeping his Commandments are inextricably linked together - they cannot be separated. To fear God is to keep His commandments. To keep his commandments is to fear Him. We must keep God's commandments - this is what it means to know Him and be known by Him.
Brothers and sisters, we must not be distracted by football, the media or any other things that the world tells us is "the most important thing...today." We must make God's Word, His priorities, His commandments, His worship, our priority. We must give Jesus Christ and His Word the central focus of our lives. We must do this so that we keep Jesus and His commandments at the center of our lives so that we can transform the culture around us and ....not get distracted!
I'll see you Sunday for worship - that week after week glorious reminder and aide, to keep Christ center of our lives!
By His grace and to His praise,
Wilson
Worship Notes: September 27, 2015
- Hosea 6:1-7:2 is our sermon text this week. The mood continues to grow sober as we read about a nation running head-first into sin and misery - however, we do find evidences of grace and the seed of the Gospel!
- In preparation for the sermon: For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6 ESV)
- A new hymn for the week: How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds
- Click here for this week's bulletin.
- We are podcasting! Catch up on sermons on iTunes.
Wilson's Weekly
- Here is a good word to millennials: click here
- Several of our men's small groups are reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Cost of Discipleship. Randy Alcorn blogs about Bonhoeffer and this work here.
- The Pope is in town so some folks might be thinking, WHY DON’T PROTESTANTS HAVE A POPE?
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Please pray that that the Lord would raise up an Assistant Pastor and Children's Ministry Coordinator to serve at Cornerstone.
Pray for healing - Jo Ann Sneed, Marlene Sullins (Chip Sullin’s mother), Adam Williamson (Sean Williamson’s father), Bill Baldwin, Ann Keown
Pray for Mike Honeywell as his stepfather, Victor Woodman, passed away earlier this week.
Pray for those serving overseas: Jake Davis - Afghanistan
(nephew of Paul DuPre’)
Pray for our Nation - The preaching of the Gospel throughout our land.
Pray for sister PCA church -
North Hills Presbyterian Church
Meridianville, AL
Pray for Missions - Lincoln Village
Pray for CPC Ministry - Fellowship Committee
Please send your prayer requests to Cynthia Keen at office@cornerstone-pres.org or call the church office.
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Fall Communicant’s Class. Class meets Sunday afternoon from 4-5pm in the Builders' Sunday School classroom.
Youth Group meets this Sunday at 6:30 at the church.
Ladies’ Prayer Group - Please join our Ladies’ Prayer Group on Monday’s from 12:30-1:30 at Cornerstone.
New Members’ Class - If you would like to learn more about Cornerstone or if you are interested in joining the church, please join us for our next class beginning on Sunday, Oct. 25 @ 10:15 in the sanctuary. We will meet for 4 consecutive Sundays, with the last class being November 15th. E-mail the church office to register at office@cornerstone-pres.org. Adults and students (middle school and up) are invited to attend.
Sound Operators Needed - Volunteers are needed to help run the sound board during our worship service. Please see one of the deacons if you are interested in serving.
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