The Prime and Principle Duty - Sermon by Todd Baucum, Jan. 22, 2012

sermon from a series on Timothy - 2 Tim. 1:8-18.

The Power of the Scriptures - Sermon by Todd Baucum on Feb. 26, 2012

Click on title and wait for download. Sermon is from 2 Tim. 3:16

A Solid Foundation - Sermon by Todd Baucum - Feb. 2, 2012

Double click and wait for download to hear the sermon on 2 Timothy 2:11-25

A New Work

From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid. Ezra 3:6 (ESV)

The work has now begun! Wait until you see what has been done to our sanctuary. Of course, our temporary place of worship this Sunday, (and for the next few months), will be in our fellowship hall. It will be a little tight, with a few inconveniences, and we might have to sit a little bit closer than Presbyterians are accustomed. Yet, it will be so good and joyful to adjust for something greater God is doing in our church.
Something is happening that is beyond the physical construction and remodeling, it is a renewed sense of the priority of worship and the value of what we offer to our Sovereign God for the glory of His praise. That is my earnest prayer above all we do and see done this Spring and Summer. Yes, I am excited about the new things are being done to the building. These are needed improvements and needed repairs. As the workers pull away floors, walls and carpets, it has revealed long term damage that has been cosmetically covered. We are quickly learning that this work is a necessity.
Our souls are just like that. It is so easy to put up some cosmetic covering and show the world we are ok. We can convince ourselves that things are not that bad. Then the Holy Spirit pulls away the layers of our attempts to look good. The Protestant Reformation was a renewal of worship and a renewal of the Gospel. My friends, the two go together. I am so thrilled to be the pastor of a congregation that loves the Gospel of Christ and is committed to reforming and renewing our worship. My sense is that what is happening to our building is what God is doing in our hearts. He is giving us a greater love for the Gospel and love for His Church.
When Israel returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple under Cyrus of Persia, we are told that worship became the great desire of the returning exiles. They worshiped the Lord on the first day of the seventh month, just like the early Christians gathered on the Lord ’s Day. It would be another year before the foundation of the Temple would be built, but they were already worshipping without the sanctuary. A year later, the old priests who had seen the former building destroyed, wept at the building of the foundation. With old eyes filled with tears they saw that future generations would be worshipping the eternal God.
Come Sunday to both the morning and evening worship services and open your heart to the purging, cleansing power of the Word the renewing work of the Holy Spirit. With one voice we can sing to the praise of our One Lord, confess the One Faith, and worship the One God and Father of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Horton on What is the Gospel?

The Hinge Doctrine

This truth that God justifies need to be underlined. We do not justify ourselves. Justification is not our apology nor is it the effect in us of a process of self-excusation. It is not even our confession nor the good feeling that may be induced in us by confession. Justification is not any religious exercise in which we engage however noble and good that religious exercise may be. If we are to understand and appropriate its grace we must turn our thoughts to the action of God in justifying the ungodly. At no point is the free grace of God more manifest than in his justifying act – “being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24).
John Murray Redemption Accomplished and Applied (pg. 118)

Justification is God's act of remitting the sins of guilty men, and accounting them righteous, freely, by his grace, through faith in Christ, on the grounds, not of their own works, but of the representative lawkeeping and redemptive blood-shedding of the Lord Jesus Christ on their behalf.
J.I. Packer

The real reason why the doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone is unpopular is that it is grievously wounding to our pride.
John R.W. Stott

Birth Control and Evangelical Silence

But the greatest good in married life, that which makes all suffering and labour worth while, is that God grants offspring and commands that they be brought up to worship and serve him. The Greatest Value of Marriage – Martin Luther

The gift of sexual intimacy in the bond of marriage is the reflection of God’s high view of the purpose in marriage for joy, companionship and the building up of godly families. All these purposes are interwoven into the fabric of a biblical view of marriage. One area often neglected among Christian couples is a biblically informed discussion of birth-control. Too long there has been an evangelical silence on this issue, as though it were a distinguishing mark of Protestantism to have responsibly smaller families. As we will see here, that has not always been the case.

Martin Luther was not known for using pious language when addressing issues important to him, and this was an issue dear to his heart, considering he and Katie brought thirteen children into the world. For example he wrote,"the purpose of marriage is not pleasure and ease but the procreation and education of children and the support of a family.... People who do not like children are swine, dunces, and blockheads, not worthy to be called men and women, because they despise the blessing of God, the Creator and Author of marriage" (Christian History, Issue 39, p. 24).
Luther also said that birth control was the equivalent of sodomy (probably because of the likeness between homosexual wickedness and sex that is separated from the purpose of procreation).
John Calvin declared that birth control was the murder of future persons and the Synod of Dort issued a Bible commentary which stated that contraception was the same as abortion.
If you are shocked, by the strong statements from these Reformers that really is not too surprising, because Protestant opposition to birth control has largely been forgotten in our 21th century. Sadly it takes Roman Catholics and Mormons to bring the issue up in public discussion. This does not mean there are not nuances of questions and issues, as there are in most moral questions conflated with the growth on new technology. But, the essential biblical principles that guide these questions are the same as spelled out in the times of Abraham and Sarah. The Westminster Confession reestablished the classic definition of marriage.



Westminster Confession - Chapter XXIVOf Marriage and Divorce
II. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife,[2] for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue, and of the Church with an holy seed;[3] and for preventing of uncleanness.

The Four Purposes of Marriage:
1. Companionship
2. Procreation
3. Nurturing Children in the Faith
4. A Safeguard against immorality


As we have seen one of the historic four purposes of Christian marriage is procreation. The biblical mandate to be fruitful and multiply still applies today. “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground" Gen. 1:28. Commenting on this passage, John Calvin, surprisingly perhaps to many, unwraps the implications this has for Christian couples: “God could himself indeed have covered the earth with a multitude of men; but it was his will that we should proceed from one fountain, in order that our desire of mutual concord might be the greater, and that each might the more freely embrace the other as his own flesh.” (Calvin’s Commentary, Genesis. 1:28)

Just think about it. God could have populated the world through many means, but he designed the sexual intimacy of a husband and wife to fulfill this purpose. This command was not just given to Adam and Eve. It was repeated several times and always annexed with a divine blessing. After the flood, God told Noah and his family to replenish the earth, as part of the cultural mandate originating in the Garden of Eden. Again, Calvin connects the command to replenish with the blessings of marriage which is designed for procreation.
“Thus he not only renews the world by the same word by which he before created it; but he directs his word to men, in order that they may recover the lawful use of marriage, may know that the care of producing offspring is pleasing to Himself, and may have confidence that a progeny shall spring from them which shall diffuse itself through all regions of the earth, so as to render it again inhabited; although it had been laid waste and made a desert. Yet he did not permit promiscuous intercourse, but sanctioned anew that law of marriage which he had before ordained.” (Calvin’s Commentary, Genesis, 9:1)

One of the first issues a young married couple will need to address is the role of birth-control in their lives. Since WWII, the general use and acceptance of birth control has been wide-spread to the point of full acceptance. Even Protestant evangelical Christians tend to follow the popular and secular practice of birth control. In a sense, birth control is not inherently wrong, if one means that God has given husband and wife authority over their bodies, both to freely give to each other and to care for each other. There have been natural and even godly reasons why a couple may restrain from sexual relations or use the more natural “rhythm method” (1 Cor. 7:5) . What is needed is for evangelical believers to carefully consider what the Bible teaches, and prayerfully decide together how God is leading them in this issue in light of what Scripture teaches, and not just assume what everyone does is alright, as if that is ever ok.

Contraceptives

Should you use contraceptives and what kinds are more acceptable? The Bible gives us a command to procreate and it is one of the purposes of the marital union. But, there may be medical or health reasons to use some kind of birth control from time to time. More natural ones are to be preferred.

The Pill

Some pills keep the fertilized egg from being implanted into the cervical wall of the womb. This amounts to a type of abortive procedure and should not be used by Christians. Other kinds of pills affect the natural cycle of the women’s monthly period and have serious side effects relating to the hormone changes in the body. This raises serious issues that Christians ought to consider before using. Why endanger your health just to avoid a pregnancy, which is only what God expects from such a marriage and should be seen as a blessing of sexual union and not an inconvenience? It seems the world is sort of seeping into our thinking about these kinds of things. The so called "morning after" pill is clearly abortive, the widespread use of it as the first course in birth control is troubling.

Infertility

While infertility has been a sign of judgment in the Bible, it should not be assumed that a childless marriage that is involuntary is a curse. Some Christian couples without children can be used of God in the kingdom that a family cannot be used. Adoption is also a wonderful blessing that childless couples can bestow on children needing love and shelter. For centuries, the Christian witness in practicing adoption, stood in contrast to the practice of the Greeks, Romans and Pagan cultures. The practice of adoption was even shunned by Jewish communities, and so it was a unique feature of Christian hospitality to take an unwanted child and to raise it not in servitude, but as a member of the family. More Christians ought to consider this when confronted with infertility.

Fertility Aids?

Getting medical help so that the sperm of the husband and the egg of the wife are used seems to be within the limits of Christian morality. This is based on the principle of Genesis 2:24, where the two become one by God’s design. Any type of fertility intervention that introduces a third party, either by artificial semination with donor sperm or surrogate mothers, produces moral fuzziness and presents only more problematic issues from the fruit of such conceptions. One only looks at Abraham and Sarah’s handmaid, Hagar to see the disastrous effect of going outside the marital union for building the home. Adoption is not only a valid option for such couples it is also a powerful demonstration of the gospel of grace, whereby people with no natural rights are adopted into the family of God (Romans 8:14-16).

Note to the reader: There is no established “biblically conservative” view on the issue of “family planning.” This brief treatment is the author’s growing conviction on considering birth-control from a biblical and historical point of view. The majority of evangelical writers are either silent or simply mirror the standard view of the culture that family planning is only an individual preference on the one hand and unquestionably the path of responsible and thoughtful couples on the other. I offer this alternative with the humble desire that Christian couples seek the Lord and study the Bible before assuming what the culture, economics and family pressure dictate (and they will) what you decide about when to begin your family and how many kids you will have.)

Law and Gospel in Evangelism

“For the very idea of sin in the Bible is of an offense against God, which disrupts a man’s relationship with God. Unless we see our shortcomings in the light of the law and holiness of God, we do not see them as sin at all. For sin is not a social concept; it is a theological concept. Though sin is committed by man, and many sins are against society, sin cannot be defined in terms of either man or society. We never know what sin really is till we have learned to think of it in terms of God, and to measure it, not by human standards, but by the yardstick of his total demand on our lives.” (Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, pg. 68).

A Sheep and Not a Lamb

‘Twas a sheep, not a lamb that went astray In the parable Jesus told: ‘Twas a grown up sheep that wandered away from the ninety and nine in the fold.
And out on the hilltop, and out in the cold ‘Twas a sheep that the good shepherd sought And back to the flock and back to the fold ‘Twas a sheep that the good shepherd brought.
Now why should the sheep be so carefully fed And cared for even today? Because there is danger if they go wrong They will lead the lambs astray.
The lambs will follow the sheep you know Wherever they wander, wherever they go If the sheep go wrong it will not be long Till the lambs are as wrong as they.
So still with the sheep we must earnestly plead For the sake of the Lambs today; If the lambs are lost what a terrible cost The sheep will have to pay. Author Unknown

The House of Love - a Parable

A Parable of the Church in a Post-Modern World
By Todd Baucum
Created on 1/11/2006

There is a house where love dwells. It is a house that many seek and long to be. In fact, there are many places in this world that claim to be the house of love. But, in truth there is only one House of Love. Blessed are they who find it and dwell there forever.

How do we find the house where true love is found? The Master of the house is the King of Love, the Lord of All and He has invited the world to come to this house, where a feast of love has been prepared and plenteous is the food. Again, many are they that claim to have found this house and have entered it by another door. “Come to our house”, they plead, “and enter our door for it is wide and beautifully built to welcome many at a time”. Love appears to hang over the portal of this house and tempting is the draw to enter and find this love that speaks so generously. Others say, “The house where love is found must have many doors that gain entrance”. This is a house that was designed to have more doors than walls, for walls are barriers that divide, and can love ever place a boundary upon itself? This house offers doors of all variety, small and great. It too, has a welcome sign for all to come and enter as they like, for all doors are equal, they matter not at all. Many, who pass by this house, say that if there is any place where love might dwell, surely this is the house of love.

Off the beaten track, there is found a simple house. When asked about that house, many laugh and taunt. “Surely, the house of love cannot be found where there is but one door, so narrow and small.” Yet, this house stands in stark contrast to the other houses. Most houses are places of broken hearts and the sound of weeping is heard when the music of the entertainers ceases. Here, there is weeping, but the weeping stops and turns to a sweet and unfamiliar song. Why is there but one door in this house? Can I but choose the way I want to enter? As the weary traveler comes to this door, he must come and open the crimson gate. All are invited to enter, but the door can only allow one at a time. Here the diversity all the inhabitants is honored by the narrow door. The Lord of the House designed the door for the true purpose of love. The walls of the house, strong and impenetrable, were built by love’s design. It offers protection and safety from the winds of hate. That is the nature of true love: to protect and guard. The narrow door was hewn out of Master’s heart. To refuse that door or to protest it is only to renounce the love that is inside. Over the portal of this entrance, there too reads a message. “This door is called Truth, and all must enter herein, with head bowed.” “Truth is the entrance to Love”, is not the message others have told. Only here is it inscribed. Yet, why is truth so forgotten and ignored? Is the Lord of the feast, not loud enough or effective in his call? Let not the appearance of this house, make one believe that is the case. This house is grand and spacious with countless guests finding that beyond the threshold of truth is where true love dwells. A feast is being prepared.


Interpretation:
For a Church to really offer real love, it must open the door of truth. Love that is cut off from truth is not love, but sentimentalism at best. The nature of God’s truth is narrow in the sense it is clearly defined and nonnegotiable. Truth being definable and knowable makes it the only option of a loving action. God has revealed Himself in His Word and in His Son, and has thereby given us clear directions home. Christ is narrow in that He is the only way, but the way is open to all. The postmodern church that sacrifices truth for the sake of love ends up offering neither.


“Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?"
He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” Luke 13:22


"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

The Holy Spirit's Convicting Work

“But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer;” (John 16:7-10, NIV)

The Holy Spirit is never a substitute for the Word of God. It is true that unless the Holy Spirit opens our hearts and minds to the truth of God’s Word we are deaf to its message. The Bible is a closed book apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, because it is God’s truth and not man’s truth (1 Thess.2:13). Its origin is in heaven and not in earth.

Likewise, just as the Bible has this dependent relationship to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit is not some free agent working apart from the Word. We sometimes think of the Holy Spirit in that way. For example, if a new believer or one who is immature in his faith acts in a way that not becoming of a godly life, we assume that the Holy Spirit will convict that person of their sin. It is true that the Holy Spirit convicts believers of their sin (John 16:8). However, sometimes we neglect the responsibility to admonish (which must always be done in love, or else will become in itself an occasion for sin) a brother or sister, because it is never comfortable to do so, thinking that we can just leave it up to the Spirit.

The problem is that the Holy Sprit, always, or might I say, ordinarily works in conjunction with the revealed Word of God. I say ordinarily, not as a provision for some mystical loophole where someone might think they can experience God apart from Scripture, but in the sense the Spirit can also work in relationship to the “law that is within,” or what is called the moral law written in everyone’s heart (Rom. 1:19).

Again, what we sometimes assume in thinking the Holy Sprit will just convict someone and illuminate their understanding about some particular sin, is that in some mysterious way, the Spirit drops new knowledge into our lives like a bolt out of the blue. But Christian maturity for believers is never that easy. Our growth into maturity is always tied to our knowledge of spiritual truth, which is found in God’s revelation, the Bible. We cannot just assume a new believer is to know everything the Bible teaches concerning true conduct and lifestyle. I remember hearing about the rough and muscular longshoreman who was known for his meanness and “colorful” vocabulary. He did not know any other way to speak than with a cuss word in it. But, he was wonderfully and dramatically saved, and with a new love in his heart for Christ and for his fellow workers at the shipping docks, he decided the next day to gather them together and to pray. His prayer was rather crude and would never pass the muster for public worship. But it was pure in heart.

Yes, later by his reading the Word, the Spirit would do his exacting work in transforming behavior and speech, but it doesn’t happen overnight. I know this truth all too well. I need not look at the experience of others to see how the slow and exacting process of the conviction of sin works in a heart. I only look into my own. Of course the end result should not be living with a guilt ridden conscience, but to flee to Christ with that burden of a blighted heart. And that is the glorious work of the Spirit to bring us to Jesus for healing and salvation. That by the way is an ongoing pattern for the Christian life and will not stop until we behold Him “face to face.” Then we live only in response to the grace revealed in Christ. That response is gratitude. The venerable puritan, Thomas Watson described it well when he said, “thankfulness is the rent we owe to God.”

Phil Ryken, He Speaks to Me Everywhere: Meditations on Christianity and Culture.

A collections of talks given on Sunday nights at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Ryken shares clear thinking along with biblical clarity on a wide spectrum of issues facing Christians in today’s world. They fall along the same lines as my weekly Grid, seeking to provide a way of viewing life with a Christian world-view. From issues about modesty to praying for a touchdown at a football game, we get Ryken’s clear-headedness. I find great gems in this book and remarkable agreement on diverse issues.