Masculine Mandate & Oxford Club for Men

Masculine Mandate & Oxford Club for Men

Study guide for the men tonight. Meet at Pastor Todd's house - back porch and bring favorite drink.

Sunday May 22, Morning Sermon - Enjoying and Glorifying God

Click the title to listen or read my extended notes here.

Enjoying and Glorifying God
By Pastor Todd Baucum
Haggai 1:1-9
The Jews had returned from their 70 year exile in Babylon. They were in a period of rebuilding. Ever since Nehemiah and Ezra had inspired their hopes and fired their zeal for Jerusalem, they worked to restore Jerusalem – their homeland – their city was rising up from the ruins of a previous generation.
Perhaps late in his life, a prophet named Haggai appears on the scene – with a short ministry and a few brief messages he addresses a core problem with these people. They had their priorities all wrong. They were busy. They were working hard. They were making an investment in the future. But, with their priorities wrong, they were putting their own lives before God.
People will always get their priorities wrong, when there is a fundamental disconnect between the blessings of God and a corresponding gratitude.
(from this text, I will draw out 3 principles – truths)
- What we enjoy we worship.
- What we love we adore.
- What desire we pursue.
That which we pursue in life we invest in.
Worship is not something we do out of obligation. It is a description of what we value.
What did Haggai see, which caught the attention of God? For over 16 years construction on the temple was at as standstill. See Ezra 3:6-13 - tells us that preparation sere made - money was gathered – finest of imported cedar was purchased and brought to Jerusalem. The question is what happened?
One can only speculate, but here are some possible scenarios.
-they were having economic hard times - under control of Babylon - taxes were high.
- they still had trouble from their enemies.
-they instability of the international scene -
Vs. 2 – tells us what? God was tired of excuses. They kept saying it wasn’t time to build the temple.

1. Two Ways We Neglect Worship and the Glory of God.
Vs.4 "Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?

Calvin – “The Jews were so taken up with their own domestic concerns, with their own ease, and with their own pleasures, that they made very little account of God’s worship.”
Two ways we neglect worship: (Calvin)
1) Ingratitude. God had restored them – good on his promise to bring them home - but they show their ingratitude by postponing that which would glorify God. Giving honor to God was being delayed.
2) Indifference.
The people in Jerusalem, had never known the glory of the Temple – they grew up in a strange land – Basically they were used to house church. It was convenient, warm, cozy and of course very practical.

(note – they were offering sacrifices – worship was happening – but in the open air - this probably to them seemed immensely practical and in a word sufficient).

But is sufficient a quality that should reflect what the honor and glory we owe to God, who saved us, by his Son, died for us and rose victoriously over hell and death?
Was God doing that which was just sufficient? Or did he not spare no expense in redeeming us?
Ephes. 1:7 (ESV)
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

2. How our Priorities Affect our Joy in Life.
Vs.5 - ..”consider your ways.”
A series of observations:
Money doesn’t go far
Harvest is profitable
Clothes wear out.
In other words - they are pursuing these things, but not gaining anything.

Pagans seek these things - Jesus said, but you should seek first his kingdom. (Matt. 6)
What happens when Christians have the wrong priorities:
Matthew 13:22 (ESV)
As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
It can be a symptom on the real problem - a heart issue.
What we enjoy we worship.
What we love we adore.
What desire we pursue.
God is looking for worshippers who pursue him with a heart of love. This is more important than externals.
But, it sets the stage for how we invest our lives.
“The respect accorded the physical structure was an index of the spiritual vitality of the people.” John Mackay
The people addressed by Haggai – were investing in themselves and their comfort. The expression “living in paneled” houses was a clear idiom describing luxury. It was not that God was not wanting them to have homes - to have their needs met or to enjoy life. God is not a cosmic killjoy.
They were ready to pursue luxuries at the expense of God’s honor.
It is one important reality we must consider when we see this sanctuary in need of repair – when 20 windows are broken - How many of us live in homes with broken windows?
Nor should we be content with second rate materials or volunteer unskilled labor to build not a cathedral – but a meeting place that honors God.
3. Seeking God’s Enjoyment in our Worship.
Vs. 8 -Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord.
This is a key understanding of biblical worship that we must get right. If we understand this, then all the confusion and debates about worship today would be cleared up.

Worship is about what pleases God. It is not about us. It is what Gives God glory. God told the people of Judah, to buy the supplies for his house so that “I may take pleasure in it, and that I may be glorified.”
Now, some may ask (know their Bibles) - Did not Jesus build the perfect Temple - Did he not replace the sacrifices, the elaborate worship. Aren’t we building the spiritual temple – through the preaching of the Gospel?
Yes, Yes and Yes. Paul makes it clear that the glory of the church is Jesus himself.
Ephes. 2:20-22 (ESV)
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, [21] in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. [22] In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
The Bible makes is clear also, that worship is not a private matter - it is communal. It happens when God’s people gather around the reality of the person and work of Jesus Christ – Where his Word is heard, proclaimed and cherished. Where grateful hearts explode with praise and giving God honor that is where worship happens.
- It is about Glorifying God because Worship is about giving God enjoyment in our giving our best.

- Benjamin Palmer Sanctuary Dedication
On Sunday morning, October 9, 1853, Dr. Benjamin Morgan Palmer (then the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SC, later the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, New Orleans –said in his sermon dedicating the new church building for First Columbia –

"As for this building, beautiful as it may be in our eyes, let it please us to call it only a plain Presbyterian meeting house.

The glory we see in it,
let it not be the glory of its arches and its timbers;
not the glory of its lofty and graceful spire, pointing ever upwards to that home the pious shall find [with] God;
not the glory of this chaste pulpit, with its delicate tracery and marble whiteness;
not the glory found in the eloquence or learning of those who, through generations, shall here proclaim the gospel;
nor yet the glory traced in the wealth and fashion, refinement and social position of those who throng its courts.

But let its glory be The Glory of the Lord Risen Upon It!
Let its glory be the promises of the covenant engraved upon its walls, which are yea and amen in Christ Jesus.
Let its glory be found in the purity, soundness, and unction of its pastors; in the fidelity and watchfulness of its elders; in the piety and godliness of its members.
May that be said of this church. Amen!

Free Will or Grace? by Calvin

God's Activity Does not Produce a Possibility That we Can Exhaust, but an Actuality to Which We Cannot Add

This movement of the will is not of that description which was for many ages taught and believed, viz., a movement which thereafter leaves us the choice to obey or resist it, but one which affects us efficaciously. We must, therefore, repudiate the oft-repeated sentiment of Chrysostom, "Whom he draws, he draws willingly;" insinuating that the Lord only stretches out his hand, and waits to see whether we will be pleased to take his aid. We grant that, as man was originally constituted, he could incline to either side, but since he has taught us by his example how miserable a thing free will is if God works not in us to will and to do, of what use to us were grace imparted in such scanty measure? Nay, by our own ingratitude, we obscure and impair divine grace. The Apostle's doctrine is not, that the grace of a good will is offered to us if we will accept of it, but that God himself is pleased so to work in us as to guide, turn, and govern our heart by his Spirit, and reign in it as his own possession. Ezekiel promises that a new spirit will be given to the elect, not merely that they may be able to walk in his precepts, but that they may really walk in them, (Ezek. 11: 19; 36: 27.) And the only meaning which can be given to our Saviour's words, "Every man, therefore, that has heard and learned of the Father, cometh unto me," (John 6: 45,) is, that the grace of God is effectual in itself. This Augustine maintains in his book De Praedestinatione Sancta. This grace is not bestowed on all promiscuously, according to the common brocard, (of Occam, if I mistake not,) that it is not denied to any one who does what in him lies. Men are indeed to be taught that the favour of God is offered, without exception, to all who ask it; but since those only begin to ask whom heaven by grace inspires, even this minute portion of praise must not be withheld from him. It is the privilege of the elect to be regenerated by the Spirit of God, and then placed under his guidance and government. Wherefore Augustine justly derides some who arrogate to themselves a certain power of willing, as well as censures others who imagine that that which is a special evidence of gratuitous election is given to all, (August. de Verbis Apost. Serm. 21.) He says, "Nature is common to all, but not grace;" and he calls it a showy acuteness "which shines by mere vanity, when that which God bestows, on whom he will is attributed generally to all." Elsewhere he says, "How came you? By believing. Fear, lest by arrogating to yourself the merit of finding the right way, you perish from the right way. I came, you say, by free choice, came by my own will. Why do you boast? Would you know that even this was given you? Hear Christ exclaiming, 'No man comets unto me, except the Father which has sent me draw him.'" And from the words of John, (6: 44,) he infers it to be an incontrovertible fact, that the hearts of believers are so effectually governed from above, that they follow with undeviating affection.
John Calvin's Institutes, Book 2, 6:10

The G.O.S.P.E.L

Clear, succint, solid, and profound explanation of the Gospel in a Reformed understanding with a unique approach.

Homosexuality is....

It is a perversion...of what God intended.

It is an alienation... from one's identity.

It is a brokeness... of the unity of marriage.

It is an inward bent... toward the love of self.

It is a rebellion... against God's design.

It is rejection... of God's remedy for loneliness.

It is acceptance... of Satan's lies about human nature.

It is submission... to the inner mastery of sin.

It is a delusion...by the world's philosophy of hedonism.

It is an abomination... of what God calls good.

It is in a word...sin.

It can be forgiven.

Those in its clutches can be redeemed, transformed and freed for life.

See the work of Exodus and Harvest to see the evidence.

The PCUSA Endorses Homosexuality Officially

The New York Times has reported that the mainline Presbyterians have officially voted to ordain openly homosexual men and women as pastors, elders and deacons. I saw this coming back in 2004, when I left the PCUSA after spending years debating and defending a biblical view of marriage and morality.

The NY Times stated:
The change approved on Tuesday does not mean that presbyteries must ordain gay candidates — only that they may. The wording leaves the decision open to local presbyteries, according to church officials. It says that governing bodies that consider candidates “shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.”

Anybody who knows how church polity works, understands that "may" really means "must" when this new change of law is established de facto as a new biblical interpretation. Those who fought for this change, understand it as a moral mandate, as wierd as it sounds.
The strange irony is that to be "guided by Scripture and the confessions", no longer means for them to see them as authoritative or binding. Allegiance to God's Word revealed in the Holy Scripture was lost long ago. When I realized this a number of years ago, I sought out the PCA. Thankfully, they received me and this lovely bunch of saints I serve, have my profound appreciation.

May 8, 2011 Sunday Morning Sermon

The first in a series on Biblical worship entitled, "The Beauty of Worship". This first part is from 2 Sam. 24:24 where David lays down a biblical principle that is foundational to worship - we should not offer worship that cost us nothing! Click on the title to hear the audio of the sermon. True worship demands that we give God the first, the best and it is never free!

ESL Training at the PCA GA

eslGA

City Council Approves Zoning

We are moving closer to our plan to remodel, renovate and build onto our existing sanctuary. The city council approved the zoning for our church last night. Our session is meeting Thursday to discuss the next steps. Once everything is properly approved, we will bring the whole proposal, nuts and bolts to the congregation. There have been many questions, but we needed to ensure we could actually do something here, before we started on such an ambitious project. In all this our desire is to demonstrate the glory of God and offer to Him that which is pleasing to in His sight, reflecting the beauty of worship and the witness to our community. We do need an attractive place of worship that conveys a sense of welcome, invitation and commitment to worship as our highest priority.

Responding to the Needs after the Storm

I have heard from the MNA Disaster relief network of our denomination and they are meeting right now in Tuscaloosa to provide guidance, support and advice. Volunteers are already pouring in, but there is a need to provide structure and strategy as not to overwhelm the churches capability to resource the work teams.

I have spoken to people at both Trinity and Riverwood PCA churches in Tuscaloosa. They know we will be ready to help in any way we can. Both churches will be receiving donations to help with the cost of their relief work. You can look at the website of Riverwood to see updates on their relief work (www.riverwoodchurch.org) and they also have a facebook page. I am waiting to hear back from the Pruets to hear about the work going on at Trinity. MNA is at Trinity today helping them respond. I am grateful for the tremendous response of these two churches.

There is also the report on the Lee family, a homeschooling family of 13 kids who lived on a farm in Ashville, AL (known as Shoal Creek Valley). Tom Lee, the father of the family was killed as their whole house was demolished. Matt Chancey is there now helping with the family. This family is a member of Briarwood Presbyterian and there is a moving account of what happened told by the oldest son in an interview. It is well worth looking at. (click on the Title of this blog).

Matt Chancey will plan to be with us at church Wednesday night. Chris Gill was there this weekend helping with relief and reported to me of the unbelievable damage, but more importantly the Body of Christ coming to help. Thanks Chris!
Wes and Katie Britt lost their home, but all were unhurt. Two of Katie’s sisters were there as well. So there are reports on property loss, but praise God no one was hurt. Tracey Pangallo is in her final year at Alabama and is well. As you probably know, the University is closed until the Fall. The city’s infrastructure is badly damaged. Even Covenant College in Chattanooga had to close over the weekend, because of water and electrical problems.

For those of you who want to give a financial gift to the effort, you can give to our Tornado Relief fund here at First Presbyterian Church. Our Session will decide on the way it will support the Body of Christ in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, but it will go 100% to this need. Our primary focus will be to partner with other PCA churches so that we can be unified in meeting physical needs and maintain a witness for the Gospel. We are also interested in taking a team to work. Let me know if you can help and if you can work a week or a weekend.

For the glory of Christ an His Crown,
Pastor Todd
P.S. We also had a busy weekend with hosting the cookout for the church officers and families, and hosting a dinner with the Pohls from Ecuador and hearing of their work at church. I think the sign of a healthy church is that a mission is always happening in some form. That is true of us!

Sunday Morning Sermon - May 1, 2011

I've been preaching a series on the Psalms each Communion Sunday. This is Psalm 19, entitled "Sweeter Than Honey." The Word of God is a treasure to be claimed and a taste to be enjoyed. Click on the title to hear the sermon.