Bob`s Blog - Cornerstone Baptist Church

 Cornerstone Baptist Church Newsletter July 1, 2015 Issue No. 282
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July 5th.
Men's Breakfast
Saturday, July 11th, at 8:00 AM
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if you are planning to attend. Vacation Bible School
July 13th­17th, 9 AM ­ Noon
If you are interested in serving or donating items for that
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CBC Soccer Camp
July 27th­30th, 9:30 AM ­ Noon
The cost is $40.00 and will be offsite at Total Soccer (34300 Utica Rd., Fraser).
Click here to register children (1st­6th Grade).
Kay Arthur Conference
Real Joy: The Fruit of the Gospel
Saturday, September 19th
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Bob's Blog
July 1, 2015
This past Sunday morning I opened the service by
addressing the recent decision of the Supreme Court
This Week at Cornerstone
Wednesday
July 1
6:45 PM - Regular Classes
and Activities
Thursday
July 2
7:00 PM Recovery@Cornerstone
Friday
July 3
Church Offices are closed.
Independence Day
Saturday
July 4
Sunday
July 5
9:30 AM - ABFs and Children's Sunday
School
10:45 AM - Morning
Worship
6:00 PM - NO Evening Class
Wednesday
July 8
10:00 AM - Adult Bible
Study
6:45 PM - Regular Classes
and Activities
regarding marriage in these United States. Here is a copy
of that statement with a little bit more explanation in parts.
But first, let me give you a little background. When the ruling
was announced this past Friday, both mainstream media
and social media exploded. It was almost impossible not to
know about the ruling. With it being so close to Sunday, I
wondered if I should scrap the sermon I had prepared and
instead address this issue. That evening, I was on a
conference call with a number of pastors from around the
country, and we discussed the matter. One of the pastors
(Greg Gilbert) had sketched out an outline that we all
thought was very helpful. He sent it to us and his outline
helped frame what I expanded on, read to you, and am now
sending to you. I also incorporated some thoughts from
Russ Moore that were helpful. After the phone call, I asked
the Elders if I should address this as a sermon or plow on
ahead with Matthew. While I do not want to be tone deaf to
cultural matters, the government does not set the agenda
for our church. God's Word does that. The counsel of the
Elders was "to make a statement but do not make the entire
service about this issue. We should do what we are called
to do." I am so grateful for these brothers. They serve us
well.
Many of you did not hear this, or only heard part of this
because you do not make it a habit (priority) of being in the
Worship Center when our service begins. You miss a lot
that is needful for your soul when you come in late. I want
you to fellowship. I want you to develop good relationships,
but not at the expense of our gathering together for the
whole meal that has been prepared for us. Make a point to
be in the Worship Center before the service begins that you
might have the time needed to be prepared to hear from
God and respond.
Finally, I am grateful for a church family that stands in
agreement on this. I was not concerned about your reaction
to my statement. I know that some of you will pay a price for
your/our conviction on this. It is likely that we will all pay a
price for this ruling in the days to come. However, conviction
that is forged in the fires of sacrifice is even more precious
and compelling. We stand together because we stand on
Christ.
Here are the nine points:
1. Marriage was not created, defined, and instituted by the
Supreme Court; therefore, it cannot be changed by the
Supreme Court. The reality of marriage (one man and one
woman) instituted by God, does not change. Marriage (one
man and one woman) is needful for a balanced family as
children cannot be made without both sexes, and need to
be raised and formed by both sexes. Men and women are
made in the image of God and bring different aspects to
parenting that are designed by God to influence children in
a good way. The true church will not surrender on this
issue. While I doubt that many of us were shocked by the
Supreme Court ruling, we are most definitely grieved. However, our confidence is in a sovereign and eternal God
whose decrees and law will stand long after the Supreme
Court of the United States is nothing more than a page in a
history book of a bygone era.
2. The Bible warns in the most serious terms possible
about the fate of those who add to the Scriptures or who
take away from the Scriptures. The consequences of
rejecting God's Word are more than political, cultural, and
legal ­ they are personal. We will not stand with the
Supreme Court, or any court or ruling body, that foolishly
stands in opposition to the Supreme Judge. Those who
rebel against God in the name of freedom are in bondage.
Our conscience is held captive by the Word of God and,
thus, our souls are free.
3. The Bible warns against nations that celebrate what God
abhors. In yet another way, America is further standing in
arrogant defiance against the Creator. This is a dangerous
place to be. Our country is not the city on the hill nor a light
for the world. We are part of the darkness. We are part of
the night. Pray for God's mercy for the United States of
America. We are a mission field.
4. Our nation has now defined us, at best, as being outside
the mainstream of American opinion. That is OK. The truth
is, we believe even stranger things. We believe that God
came to earth and was born of a virgin, that He lived a
perfectly sinless life, did miracles, died a substitutionary,
wrath­absorbing death on the cross, and was raised again.
We believe that He returned to Heaven and that He is
coming back on a horse. Yeah, we really believe that! We
also believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ can rescue and
change people from sinners under condemnation, to
citizens of God's kingdom who will rule and reign with
Jesus. We are being told that we are on the wrong side of
history. We may be on the wrong side of this fad; but, we
are not on the wrong side of history, for history is nothing
more than His Story. But, being on the wrong side of fads is
nothing new. Jesus was outlawed, too. But Rome could not
find a way to keep Him in the grave. Christianity has always
been counter to culture. While this is a new experience for
us, we're simply joining the experience of our brothers and
sisters throughout history and around the world. Indeed, as
they have learned, the Lord has His purposes even in that.
Light is never more conspicuous and compelling than when
it shines in the deepest darkness.
5. This is not a defeat for God. His purpose has been to
glorify Jesus Christ, by building a Kingdom of brothers and
sisters from all over the world who follow Christ no matter
what; and, even this new reality, He will ultimately use to
that end. Therefore, while we are grieved, we will not
respond with malice, hate, or panic. This world fell into sin in
Genesis 3. Our desire is to see people rescued from sin and
set free in Christ.
6. Therefore, our mission as a church is the same as it ever
was ­ to declare the Gospel of the Savior, Jesus Christ, and
make disciples of Him. The greatest need of humans is
salvation through Christ and worship of God. In building a
community upon that, we are a counter­cultural testimony to
God's truth in the midst of a society that has turned
decisively against Him. We are to be the aroma of life
amidst the stench of death. One of our tasks is to preserve
and seek opportunities to demonstrate God­glorifying
marriage. It is not enough to stand against same­sex
marriage. We must work at our marriages. We must be
marked by a generation of men who love their wives so
much that they will serve them, lead them, protect them,
and provide for them as Christ does the Church. We need
men who will teach their children the truths about God and
model those truths. We must also be marked by a
generation of women who love and joyfully submit to their
husbands and make their homes their priority; so that, it is a
place of rest, order, and peace.
7. We do not know the implications of this for religious
liberty. I am not optimistic. Calls are already being made to
revoke the tax exempt status of any church or non­profit
organization that disagrees with the Supreme Court. And
yet, we ought to pray for continued religious liberty in
America, and remember that the Gospel does not need
religious liberty in order to spread and flourish. In fact, the
Gospel has not often had liberty throughout history. Jesus
promised, "This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in
all nations," and "Upon this rock I will build my church, and
the gates of hell will not prevail against it." That is still true.
8. To your friends who will celebrate this ruling, speak with
truth and love. You do not have to celebrate, but neither will
it be fruitful to be marked by anger. Respond to questions
with calm conviction and the truth and hope of the gospel.
People who disagree with us on this issue are not the
enemy. They are blinded by the enemy. We were blinded
once, too. Sin makes promises that it cannot keep. People
who think that affirming and championing homosexuality will
give them validity are mistaken. We need to be available to
help them pick up the pieces of their lives when what they
thought would be their answer fails them. They need Jesus
and they need you to be full of grace and truth. Some in the
media will most likely look for angry and vicious "Christians"
to support their preconceived narrative. We cannot control
that. While we are resolute in our conviction, we must be
compassionate in our tone.
9. The winds of culture are in our face, but the breath of
God is at our back. The die is cast. Our citizenship is in
heaven. We love our country, but we pledge our ultimate
allegiance to the kingdom of Christ. We have cast our
anchor upon another shore. This ship has sailed. We will
not turn back and neither will we go under. The ride may be
rough in the short run; but, in the long run we will be fine.
Click here for Ministry Opportunities.
Please pray for these Cornerstone members:
Tina Gagnon
Nancy Gale
Haley Gasparotto
Ryan Gasparotto
Byron & Marcia Gave
Robert & Therese Geer
Hank & Delores Gehrke
Joseph & Jessica Gehrke
Laura Gehrke
John Gentz
Dennis & Carrie Ginnard
Barbara Ginnel
Steve & Jeanne Gittler
Cornerstone Baptist Church's website is www.cbcroseville.org.
Cornerstone Baptist Church of Roseville, Michigan
@CBC_Roseville
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