Cornerstone on the Go: Recent Episodes
Thomas Cruthis
Listen to past sermons and other helpful biblical content from Cornerstone Baptist Church, High Point, on the go!
Starting the Christian life with passion is one thing. Finishing it faithfully is another. The closing verses of the Book of Jude offer both a clear warning and a deep comfort for every believer who wants to run their race all the way to the end. False teachers were predicted by Jesus and the apostles, and their presence should confirm our faith rather than shake it. Jude calls believers to build one another up in Scripture, pray with genuine dependence on the Holy Spirit, and live with the return of Christ in view. When others around us waver or fall, their failure is not a reason for us to abandon our own faithfulness. The anchor of it all is found in Jude 24: God is able to keep us from falling, and He will bring us into His presence with great joy, not because of our strength, but because of everything Christ has already done.
Big truths from the shortest books of the New Testament
The Book of Jude offers a timely warning about false teachers who quietly infiltrate the church, and its message is just as relevant today as it was in the first century. Genuine teachers are marked by humility, a secure identity rooted in Christ, and a genuine care for God's people. False teachers, by contrast, deny the true lordship of Christ, are driven by pride, and ultimately use people rather than serve them. Jude draws on vivid imagery and Old Testament examples to show that these teachers may deceive people, but they cannot deceive God. His letter is not only a tool for evaluating others but also an invitation to look inward. We are each called to examine the spiritual voices we follow and ask whether they point us toward the biblical Jesus. He is the good shepherd who gave Himself for His people, and He remains the one worth following.
The Bible ends not in disappointment but in glorious restoration, and Revelation 22 shows us exactly where all of history has been heading. The story of Scripture moves through four major moments: Creation, the Fall, Rescue, and Restoration. Three threads run through every part of that story: provision, purpose, and presence. What was lost in the Garden of Eden through sin will one day be fully and perfectly restored. Jesus Christ made that restoration possible through His death on the cross, redeeming what sin had broken. For those who are in Christ, this is not wishful thinking but confident expectation rooted in God's promises. Knowing how the story ends changes how we live right now. The best is absolutely, certainly, and gloriously yet to come.
If today's message raised questions about faith, salvation, or what it means to follow Jesus, we would love to talk with you. You don't have to figure it out alone. Reach out to us—we would be honored to listen, answer your questions, pray with you, and help you take your next step in your relationship with Christ.
The Bible is not a collection of disconnected stories. It is one unified rescue mission, and Jesus is the point of all of it. From the very first promise made in Genesis 3:15, God announced that a Rescuer was coming. Through figures like Noah, Abraham, David, and the Passover lamb, the Old Testament was filled with clues pointing forward to Christ. In the fullness of time, God sent His Son to do what no one else could: defeat death, hell, and the grave. Because of Jesus, what was lost in the garden is being restored. Provision is covered, purpose is renewed, and relationship with God is made possible again. God did not wait for us to come to Him. He pursued us.
If God is good and created everything good, why does the world feel so broken? Genesis 3 answers that question directly. Before the fall, humanity enjoyed God's provision, purpose, and presence in full. Sin entered through deception, and with it came shame, broken relationships, painful labor, and separation from God. But even in the middle of judgment, God announced a coming rescue. That promise was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection delivered the fatal blow to the enemy. Real peace is not found in circumstances or comfort. It is found only in Him.
Every human being carries a deep longing for peace and wholeness that the world cannot fully satisfy. Genesis 1 and 2 reveal that this longing is not accidental. God created a world of perfect provision, clear purpose, and unhindered presence with Himself. Before placing any living thing in creation, He prepared everything it needed to thrive. Human beings were made in His image, designed to know Him, enjoy Him, and reflect His character to the world around them. The peace Adam and Eve experienced was not the result of ideal circumstances. It came from resting in who God is. That same peace is available today when we return to His provision, live in His purpose, and seek His presence.
Nehemiah 13:1-31
Watching someone you love drift from God is one of the most painful experiences a believer can face. The book of Nehemiah closes with a heavy but hopeful ending, showing us that drifting from God is part of our human nature, and that faithful people keep calling others back anyway. Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem after years away, only to find that every promise the people had made to God had been broken. Rather than giving up, he got to work again, restoring what had fallen apart and calling the people back to their covenant with God. Faithful ministry does not always produce immediate results, but our job is obedience, and God's job is transformation. What sustained Nehemiah through every setback was prayer and a clear sense of calling, and those same things can sustain us. Your calling as a parent, grandparent, friend, or follower of Christ does not expire when things get hard. Keep praying, keep pointing others to Jesus, and keep trusting a faithful God with the results.
Nehemiah 11:1-12: 26 reveals a powerful truth about faith: God's mission matters more than personal comfort. After Jerusalem's walls were rebuilt, the city needed repopulation, which required families to sacrifice their comfortable rural homes and relocate. Leaders modeled this sacrificial obedience first, followed by ordinary people chosen by lot. Not everyone moved to Jerusalem - many remained in their towns, fulfilling equally important roles in God's plan. This passage teaches us that God's kingdom advances through regular people making practical, visible choices to obey Him, even when it costs them comfort.
Nehemiah 12:27-47 teaches us to find balance between celebrating God's victories and continuing His work. When the wall around Jerusalem was completed, the people celebrated not just their accomplishment, but God's faithfulness and character revealed through their circumstances. Their joy was so genuine that surrounding communities could hear it from far away. However, celebration didn't mean the work was finished - they immediately appointed leaders for ongoing ministry and worship. As Christians today, we have even greater reason to celebrate because of Christ's victory over death and our restored relationship with God through the gospel.
Summer vacation season often leads us to pack everything except the most important thing - Jesus. Just like Mary and Joseph accidentally left Jesus behind in Jerusalem, we can become so caught up in vacation planning and activities that we drift away from our spiritual disciplines. Many people unconsciously treat vacation as a break from faith, abandoning prayer, Bible reading, and worship. However, God doesn't stay at church when we leave town. We should intentionally pack Jesus for our vacations by downloading worship music, bringing our Bible, making time for prayer, and thanking God for His creation. When we include Jesus in our travels, our rest feels deeper, family time becomes sweeter, and memories become more meaningful.
Spiritual revival isn't just an emotional experience - it transforms how we live. In Nehemiah 10, we see that revived people demonstrate three key characteristics: they lead by example, separate themselves from worldly compromises, and refuse to neglect God's house. Just as someone who survives a heart attack reorganizes their life around health, those who experience spiritual revival reorganize their lives around God. This revival comes not from our efforts to earn God's favor, but as a response to His grace and mercy. The same God who raised Jesus from the dead has the power to bring renewal to every area of our lives that needs reviving.
Jude's letter provides essential guidance for modern believers facing false teaching and spiritual deception. Written by Jesus' half-brother, this brief epistle calls Christians to earnestly contend for the faith while building themselves up through Scripture and prayer. Jude warns against false teachers who creep into churches, pervert God's grace, and deny Christ's authority. He encourages believers to remember their identity as sanctified, preserved, and called by God. Christians must actively defend biblical truth, show compassion to others, and make a difference by sharing the Gospel with those around them.
Nehemiah 9:1-38
The people of Israel in Nehemiah 9 demonstrate the transformative power of giving God's Word our complete attention. They gathered for three hours to hear Scripture read, responding with humility, conviction, and worship. Their example reveals that many believers today are spiritually malnourished not from lack of access to God's Word, but from lack of attention to it. When Scripture reveals our sin, it should lead to conviction, confession, and ultimately revival. The people's prayer in Nehemiah 9 shows how knowing God through Scripture transforms our prayer lives, as they worshiped Him as eternal, gracious, faithful, and merciful. True response to God's Word involves worship that encompasses our entire lives, genuine confession that owns our sin without blame, and recognition of our need for Christ as our perfect mediator.
Nehemiah 8:1-18
The average American household has 4-5 Bibles but 35% never open them. We have an appetite problem, not an access problem. What if the Creator of the universe has been trying to speak to you through the dusty book on your shelf? When was the last time you truly hungered for God's Word like a 15-year-old girl who walked 20 miles just to buy her first Bible?
Nehemiah 6:1-19
In our distraction-filled world, it's easy to drift from God's calling while staying busy with good things. Like Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, we must learn to discern between opportunities and our true purpose. Nehemiah faced persistent attempts to distract him from his work, but he stayed focused by knowing his calling and recognizing that not everything good aligns with God's will. When we remain secure in our identity in Christ and resist distractions, we can complete the work God has given us. The key is creating margin to hear God's voice and having the courage to say no to lesser things so we can say yes to God's best.
Internal conflict can be more destructive than external opposition. In Nehemiah 5, the Jewish community faced a crisis not from outside enemies, but from exploitation and division within their own ranks. Wealthy Jews were charging interest to struggling families, forcing them to sell their children into slavery. Nehemiah responded with righteous anger, confronted the sin directly, and demanded full restoration. His approach teaches us that protecting what God is building requires addressing relationship cracks honestly, owning our part in conflicts, and pursuing genuine reconciliation that goes beyond mere apologies to include active restoration.
Nehemiah 4:1-23
In a world where we protect our homes, families, and finances, we must also guard something even more precious: God's truth and church unity. Drawing from Nehemiah's story of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls amid opposition, we learn that following God's will inevitably brings resistance. When we're vulnerable - whether physically exhausted, emotionally strained, or spiritually dry - the enemy attacks with lies and division. Our response should mirror Nehemiah's: pray first, then continue building while standing guard. We must know Scripture well enough to recognize false teaching, distinguish between true enemies and fellow believers, and actively pursue unity. Just as Jerusalem's broken walls brought disgrace to God's name, churches that fall into disrepair through false doctrine or division misrepresent God to their communities.
Life often brings unexpected storms that leave us confused and questioning God's plan. The story of Paul and Silas in Acts 16 demonstrates that being in a difficult situation doesn't mean you're out of God's will. Despite being beaten and imprisoned for doing God's work, they chose to praise and worship at midnight in their darkest hour. Their response brought God's presence, caused an earthquake that freed all prisoners, and led to the jailer's salvation. When we choose praise over complaint during hard times, we invite God's presence and our testimony can break chains for others watching us.
Jesus promised His disciples a future feast in God's kingdom, declaring He wouldn't drink wine again until He drinks it new with them in His Father's kingdom. The prophet Isaiah described this eternal banquet as a celebration for all people where God will destroy death forever and wipe away every tear. This universal invitation is extended to everyone, though not all will accept it. The parable in Luke 14 illustrates how God invites the poor, crippled, and outcasts when others refuse His invitation. Securing a place at this table requires confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection. We currently live between the cross and this promised celebration, called to live for a kingdom we cannot yet see.
David's census revealed a dangerous shift from trusting God to trusting in what he could count and control. After facing consequences for his misplaced trust, God commanded David to purchase a threshing floor on Mount Moriah. When offered the land for free, David refused, declaring he wouldn't give God offerings that cost him nothing. This sacrificial purchase became part of God's eternal plan, as the site later became the location for Solomon's temple. David's story teaches us that true kingdom investment requires sacrifice and trust in God rather than earthly security. When we invest in God's kingdom work through generous giving and ministry, our impact reaches far beyond our understanding into eternity itself.
The book of Proverbs teaches us to learn financial wisdom from the ant, which works diligently without supervision and prepares for the future. Biblical money management isn't about earning more but being wise stewards of what God has already given us. This involves three key principles: learning about money management, developing personal discipline in spending, and planning ahead for unexpected expenses. When we ignore financial wisdom, poverty can attack us suddenly like a bandit. Wise money management includes meeting today's needs, preparing for tomorrow, and investing in eternal purposes. Managing our finances according to God's principles becomes an act of worship, honoring Him as faithful stewards of His resources.
The story of Naboth's vineyard reveals three different approaches to financial integrity. Naboth chose covenant faithfulness over profit, refusing King Ahab's offer because the land was his spiritual inheritance from God. Ahab's selfish desires led him to sulk when denied, while Queen Jezebel used deception and murder to obtain what they wanted. Though Naboth lost his life for his integrity, his faithfulness reflected God's character. This account teaches us that our motivation for financial integrity should be love for God, not expectation of earthly rewards. True integrity means choosing faithfulness over profit, even when it costs us everything.
Money can either serve us or control us, and the difference lies in whether we trust God as our provider. The story of Achan in Joshua 7 reveals how financial temptation can arise when our trust in God wavers during times of change. Achan witnessed God's provision for decades, yet when the method of provision shifted from supernatural manna to natural crops, his faith faltered. He chose to hoard treasure instead of trusting God, leading to devastating consequences for his entire community. Our financial choices have ripple effects beyond ourselves, and when we prioritize money over God, it can short-circuit His plans for our lives. The key to financial peace is found in Hebrews 13:5, which reminds us to be content with what we have because God promises never to fail or abandon us.
Many Christians feel guilty for repeatedly praying about the same problems, wondering if their faith is weak. Jesus' parable in Luke 11:5-13 about a man seeking bread at midnight teaches us that persistent prayer isn't a sign of weak faith, but of knowing where to go with our needs. The man demonstrated shameless persistence, and his neighbor eventually provided what was needed. Jesus encourages us to keep asking, seeking, and knocking, showing that God is not a reluctant neighbor but a loving Father who gives good gifts. Trust is about direction, not duration - when anxiety returns, we demonstrate faith by consistently taking our burdens back to God rather than trying to handle them ourselves.
Marriage faces unprecedented challenges today, with over 2,000 couples filing for divorce daily in the US. The key insight is that all major marital problems start small - like a toothpick - but grow when ignored. Small issues like broken promises or moments of disrespect gradually create emotional distance, replacing love with anger and loneliness. However, restoration is possible through three essential steps: prayer, forgiveness, and communication. When couples address problems daily while they're still manageable, they can prevent small irritations from becoming marriage-destroying issues.
Spiritual dry seasons are inevitable in every believer's journey, where prayers feel unanswered, and God seems absent. Job's experience teaches us that God's presence doesn't depend on our perception - He remains present even when we can't sense Him. During these difficult times, faith responds by trusting God's knowledge of our path, staying obedient to His Word, submitting to His sovereignty, and maintaining reverence for Him. While darkness may persist despite our faithful responses, these actions eventually position us to experience God's revelation in deeper ways. Job's story reminds us that sometimes we can only truly see God through seasons of struggle and honest wrestling with His apparent silence.
Every relationship goes through seasons, and Israel's covenant with God was no exception. In Jeremiah 2, God reminisces about Israel's early devotion when they followed Him faithfully through the wilderness like a devoted bride. However, Israel gradually abandoned their first love, not because God failed them, but because they chose worthless idols over their faithful Creator. God describes their rebellion through two great sins: abandoning Him as the fountain of living water and digging broken cisterns that cannot hold water. These broken cisterns represent anything we pursue instead of God - relationships, success, pleasure, or security. The consequences were devastating as Israel became enslaved again and faced exile. Today, we face the same choice: will we drink from God's never-failing fountain or waste our lives digging broken cisterns that promise much but deliver nothing?
God calls us to difficult things, but He never leaves us to face them alone. Through Jeremiah's calling in chapter 1, we see that God establishes our appointment before explaining the challenges ahead. When He calls us to hard conversations, costly obedience, or uncomfortable changes, He provides His presence, protection, words, reminders of His character, accountability, and supernatural strength. The most difficult calling might be simply surrendering and saying yes to whatever God asks. Our obedience doesn't depend on feeling ready or seeing results, but on the certainty that the God who calls us also equips and sustains us through every step.
Many believers struggle with ongoing sin after salvation, wondering if their failures indicate they aren't truly saved. The Bible teaches that justification makes us legally righteous before God, while progressive sanctification is the lifelong process of growing in holiness. Peter's journey illustrates this perfectly - despite his painful denial of Jesus, his salvation remained secure because it was based on Christ's work, not his performance. When we fail, we should run toward Jesus for restoration rather than hide in shame. Our peace comes from Christ's finished work, not our perfect behavior, and this security actually empowers genuine spiritual growth.
The Book of Jeremiah reveals God's faithfulness during one of Israel's darkest periods. Jeremiah prophesied for 40 years (627-586 BC) as the nation spiraled into spiritual, political, and social decay. Despite repeated warnings through multiple prophets, the people rejected God's messages and embraced idolatry. God's judgment through Babylon fulfilled ancient promises from Deuteronomy, demonstrating His faithfulness to both bless obedience and judge rebellion. Jeremiah teaches us to discern true revival from mere reform, recognize our own idolatrous tendencies, trust in God's eternal Word, understand biblical success, and obey God regardless of personal cost.
Many people believe they are saved while actually remaining separated from God, often resting their assurance on religious activities rather than genuine faith in Christ. The story of Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8 illustrates this danger perfectly. Though Simon believed, was baptized, and followed Philip, his true heart condition was exposed when he tried to purchase spiritual power with money. His supposed faith lacked three essential elements: obedience to God, genuine repentance from sin, and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. True salvation is found not in religious rituals or moral living, but solely in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Two remarkable individuals in Matthew 9 demonstrate what it means to push through obstacles to reach Jesus. Jairus, a synagogue leader, risked his reputation to publicly ask Jesus to raise his dead daughter. A woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years pushed through crowds and shame to touch Jesus's robe for healing. Both received what they desperately needed because they refused to let barriers stop them. Their stories challenge us to examine what might be keeping us from experiencing Jesus's presence and power in our lives, whether it's fear of others' opinions, shame about our condition, or simply the busyness of daily life.
Life often feels like tangled Christmas lights - messy and broken despite our best efforts. In Matthew 9, two blind men demonstrate how to respond to life's darkness by crying out to Jesus with desperate faith, calling him 'Son of David' and asking for mercy. Jesus tested their faith by making them follow him, then asked if they truly believed he could heal them. When they affirmed their faith, he restored their sight. Just as these men couldn't fix their blindness, we can't untangle our spiritual darkness alone. We need Jesus, the light of the world, to illuminate our lives and transform our brokenness into wholeness.
Many Christians struggle with spiritual practices that feel empty and routine, wondering why prayer, Bible reading, or church attendance doesn't bring expected joy and fulfillment. The problem isn't with the practices themselves, but when they become ends in themselves rather than means to knowing God. In Matthew 9:14-17, Jesus explains why His disciples didn't fast like others - because the Bridegroom was present with them. Jesus can't simply be added to existing religious practices; He must be the center of everything. Spiritual disciplines are beautiful servants but empty saviors, meant to flow from relationship rather than fear. True satisfaction comes only through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, not through religious activities alone.
This sermon explores Matthew 9:13-17. In this passage, we discover whether fasting is a spiritual discipline for believers today and if so why practice this habit.
Immigration is a complex issue that requires biblical wisdom rather than political extremes. Scripture reveals God's heart for foreigners through commands to show compassion, provide opportunities for work, and protect the vulnerable. However, God also expected immigrants to assimilate into the community and contribute to society. Government authority comes from God, including the responsibility to enforce laws and maintain order. Christians should respond by praying for everyone involved, seeing all people as image bearers, and avoiding political extremes. We must find balance between supporting just laws and opposing actual injustice while remembering that both immigrants and law enforcement officers need the gospel.
Christmas traditions can either draw us closer to Jesus or distract us from Him entirely. By examining the principles God established for Passover in Exodus 12, we discover three essential elements for meaningful celebrations: intentional meaning, pointing to God's rescue plan, and leading to worship. When the Israelites celebrated Passover, they were required to explain its significance to their children, connecting the ceremony to God's deliverance from Egypt. Similarly, our Christmas traditions should connect to the ultimate rescue story - God becoming human to save us from sin and death. Every decoration, gift, and celebration should ultimately lead our hearts to worship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for the miracle of the Incarnation.
Jesus shocked everyone by calling Matthew, a despised tax collector, to follow Him. Matthew immediately left his lucrative but hated profession and threw a dinner party, inviting Jesus and his former colleagues together. When religious leaders criticized Jesus for eating with sinners, He responded that healthy people don't need a doctor - sick people do. Jesus came to call those who know they are sinners, not those who think they are righteous. Matthew's transformation from outcast to ambassador shows us that God calls the unlikely and transforms them into callers who reach their circles of influence.
In Matthew 9:1-8, Jesus demonstrates His divine authority by forgiving the sins of a paralyzed man before healing his body. When faithful friends couldn't reach Jesus through the crowds, they tore through a roof to lower their companion before Him. Jesus shocked the religious leaders by declaring the man's sins forgiven, then proved His authority by commanding him to walk. This miracle reveals that Jesus has the power to restore both spiritually and physically. The story teaches us the importance of being persistent friends who bring others to Jesus through prayer, invitation, and authentic community, trusting that He can transform any life.
We all face battles with forces that seem beyond our control - addiction, unforgiveness, broken relationships, or destructive patterns. In Matthew 8:28-34, Jesus encounters two demon-possessed men living in complete hopelessness and isolation. When the demons met Jesus, they immediately recognized His authority and were forced to bow before Him, demonstrating that nothing can stand against our King. God has always been a deliverer throughout Scripture, from Noah to Daniel to Paul, and He delivers us not just from something, but for something - to share our testimony and help others find hope. The greatest deliverance available is from sin itself through faith in Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
In the Roman Empire, one phrase could cost you your life: “Jesus is Lord.”
Everywhere you turned, citizens were expected to declare, “Caesar is Lord.” His name gleamed on coins, incense burned before his statues, and his image filled the streets as Savior and Son of God. But in a quiet courtyard in Asia Minor, a small group of believers dared to whisper a dangerous confession — one that would shake empires and outlast every Caesar: “Jesus is Lord.”
In this episode, we step into the world of the early church to uncover the revolutionary meaning of Romans 10:9–13. You’ll discover why this ancient confession wasn’t a private prayer but a public act of allegiance — a declaration that Christ alone is the risen King.
We’ll explore:
- The clash between Caesar’s throne and Christ’s kingdom
- Why Paul linked confession and belief as two sides of one faith
- How the resurrection crowned Jesus as divine Lord over all
- What it means to live under His lordship in our homes, marriages, and churches today
- And how modern believers — from the catacombs of Rome to the beaches of Libya — still echo this same, costly pledge.
Through Scripture, history, and the story of twenty-one modern martyrs who whispered “Ya Rab Yasua — Lord Jesus,” you’ll be reminded that confessing Christ is not just about belief — it’s about belonging to a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
The empires of this world rise and fall, but the reign of Jesus will never end.
“For there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Life inevitably brings storms - health crises, financial hardships, relationship struggles, and overwhelming anxiety. The story of Jesus calming the storm in Matthew 8 reveals profound truths about finding peace amid chaos. When the disciples faced a fierce storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus demonstrated His authority over both natural forces and spiritual powers by speaking peace to the raging waters. Their amazement revealed a dawning realization that God Himself was in their boat. This story connects to God's bigger plan of restoration, where creation groans under the curse but awaits the day when Christ will make all things new. We can weather today's storms by remembering our King's presence, anchoring ourselves in His promises, practicing daily peace with God, and looking forward to future restoration when every storm will cease forever.
After hundreds of years of waiting, Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah, appears on the scene of history. After generations of anticipating coming to an end, we need to pay attention to what Jesus said when He lived on earth. What would be His message? Mark tells us that He preached the gospel. What is the gospel? This post provides the answer and reveals its benefits for everyone who believes it today!
Jesus calls us to wholehearted discipleship, not half-hearted commitment. Through Matthew 8:18-22, we see two men who approached Jesus with seemingly good intentions but revealed misplaced priorities. The scribe valued comfort and prestige more than following Christ, while another disciple prioritized family obligations over obedience. Jesus, the King of kings who gave up everything for us, deserves our complete allegiance. True discipleship means choosing purpose and the King's presence over popularity, prestige, and comfort. We must be willing to follow Jesus immediately and completely, whatever the cost.
Jesus demonstrated His divine authority through miraculous healings, yet we still face the reality that He doesn't always heal everyone today. Through the story of a Roman centurion's faith, Peter's mother-in-law's restoration, and an evening of mass healings, we learn that Jesus has supreme power over sickness and disease. The centurion's humility, compassion, understanding, and faith amazed Jesus and provides a model for how we should approach God with our needs. We live in the tension between God's kingdom already present and not yet fully realized. While we should believe God can heal and ask Him for the impossible, we must also trust His wisdom when He chooses not to heal, knowing that complete restoration awaits us in eternity.
God's blessings in our lives aren't meant to end with us. From Abraham's promise in Genesis 12:3 to the Great Commission, God has always intended to bless His people so they can become a blessing to others. Our hearts can misalign with God's purposes when we focus on making our own name great, pursuing our own desires, or seeking our own glory instead of His mission. When we align with God's heart for the nations, we become people of praise, gladness, and singing. With over 4.5 billion unreached people worldwide, the need is urgent. Living as blessed to be a blessing means recognizing our spiritual blessings and making ourselves available for God's purposes, starting in our neighborhoods and extending to the ends of the earth.
It's been said, "To be human is to be imperfect." But when it comes to Jesus, He was the Lamb of God that came to take away the sins of the world, a lamb without blemish or spot. In other words, He was flawless in thought and action. As we will see, He is sinless, but does that make Him less human than us? If so, what does that mean for our salvation, His work on our behalf to make us right with God? If not, why?
In Matthew 8, Jesus demonstrates His Messianic identity by healing a leper, illustrating profound spiritual truths about our condition and salvation. The leper's approach teaches us to come to Jesus alone, humbly, and just as we are in our brokenness. Jesus' willingness to touch the untouchable reveals His compassion and power to cleanse completely. This miracle demonstrates that Jesus has authority over sin and sickness, and that genuine faith leads to obedience. Like the leper, we must approach Christ with desperate humility, believing He is both willing and able to transform us completely.
We often hear the word “miracle” tossed around lightly to describe something unlikely or surprising. But if everything unusual is a “miracle,” then nothing is. The Bible has a higher and holier view of miracles: they are not lucky breaks, emotional surprises, or unexpected wins. But if a miracle isn't any of these things, what are they? I'm glad you asked.
This episode explores the following questions:
- What is a miracle?
- Why did Jesus perform miracles, and is there any extra-biblical evidence for them?
- Do miracles still happen today, and should Christians seek them?
The Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20 represents Jesus' final instructions to make disciples of all nations. True discipleship involves loving God, growing in Christlikeness, serving others, and sharing the gospel. To fulfill this mission, believers must be available by creating margin in their schedules, worshipful in lifestyle, submissive to Christ's authority, obedient to His commands, and dependent on His presence. This isn't just about church attendance but about transformation and reproduction—helping others experience new life in Christ and then equipping them to disciple others.
How can Jesus be fully God and fully man? Is Jesus being both human and divine a manufactured view of Jesus or something that the Bible teaches? Let's explore what the Bible teaches about Jesus' nature and its implications for us today.
Are you building with gold or straw? God is using YOU as a living stone in His eternal temple, with Christ as the cornerstone. Discover how your life choices determine whether you're building something that will last forever or be burned away. What spiritual gifts are you using to strengthen God's house? #ChurchBuilding #LivingStones #SpiritualGrowth
Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount with a powerful parable about two builders - one who built on rock and one who built on sand. While both heard Jesus' teachings and faced the same storms, only the house with a solid foundation remained standing. This illustrates the critical difference between merely knowing God's Word and actually applying it in our lives. Many today build their lives on unstable foundations like cheap grace, false gospels, or worldly philosophies, but these will all fail when life's storms hit. Being 'built different' means standing firm through obedience to Christ's teachings, which is the only foundation that will withstand both life's challenges and the final judgment.
Who is the Messiah of the Old Testament? We may confidently say Jesus, but how do we know for sure? This episode looks at how God provided the fingerprint of His Messiah throughout the Hebrew Scriptures so that we can know, like the woman in John 4, if Jesus is the Messiah.
Many who call Jesus 'Lord' will hear 'I never knew you' on Judgment Day. Religious words and impressive spiritual works aren't enough—what matters is a genuine relationship with Christ. Are you building your eternal security on something that won't withstand God's judgment? The most important question isn't whether you know about Jesus, but whether Jesus truly knows you. #FaithCheck #EternalSecurity
Jesus warns us about false prophets who appear harmless but are actually dangerous deceivers. In Matthew 7:15-20, He teaches that we can identify these false teachers by examining their fruit - their character, beliefs, and the disciples they produce. In our digital age, we need practical tools to evaluate the countless spiritual messages we encounter. The SIFT method (Stop, Investigate the source, Find the sources, Turn) provides a framework for discernment. By developing this spiritual discernment, we protect ourselves and others from deception while ensuring we're following teachers who produce good spiritual fruit.
This week’s message explores 1 Timothy 3 and the biblical call to church leadership. With the ordination of a new deacon, Pastor Thomas unpacks what it means to lead with integrity, faithfulness, and a servant’s heart—qualities every believer is called to pursue.
Jesus presents us with a critical choice between two gates and two paths in Matthew 7:13-14. The narrow gate represents Jesus himself and leads to a difficult path requiring individual commitment, humility, and intentional choice. This path involves loving God supremely, obeying His commands, and living counter-culturally. In contrast, the broad path offers self-determination and immediate gratification but leads to destruction. While the narrow path is challenging, it ultimately leads to eternal life with God—a destination worth every sacrifice. We must examine our own path, continue faithfully despite difficulties, and invite others to join us on the journey to life.
Confessing our sins to one another brings spiritual benefits, including obedience to God's Word, the practice of humility, and the freedom from our past burdens. However, judgment often follows confession, creating barriers to vulnerability. Instead of judging others when they confess, we should extend the same grace and mercy God shows us. By prioritizing prayer, embracing silence with God, putting down our judgmental attitudes, and focusing on God's opinion rather than people's, we can create a community where confession leads to healing rather than rejection. This transformation allows us to reflect Christ more fully and experience the freedom He intends for us.
Jesus's teaching on judgment in Matthew 7 isn't a prohibition against all discernment, but rather an instruction on how to judge righteously. We must first examine ourselves, addressing the 'logs' in our own eyes before helping others with their 'specks.' This self-examination fosters the humility necessary to approach others with love and a goal of restoration. Scripture calls believers to address sin in each other's lives lovingly, but also to know when to step back. The ultimate aim is to judge as God judges—with righteousness, mercy, and humility—always seeking restoration rather than condemnation.
Breaking free from the 'sin, hide, repeat' cycle requires honesty with God and others. Proverbs 28:13 reveals that covering our sins prevents prosperity, while confession leads to mercy. Like Adam and Eve in the Garden, we often hide our sins due to fear, shame, or pride, not realizing God already sees everything. When we harbor unconfessed sin, we give the enemy power over us. True freedom comes through specific confession, which breaks chains and begins the healing process. God isn't waiting to condemn us—He's waiting to forgive, cleanse, and restore us to the prosperity He desires for our lives.
In this sermon, we will explore Matthew 6:25-34, focusing on Jesus' teaching about worry. He explains that worry, like materialism, can hinder our relationship with God by dividing our attention and distracting us from trusting Him. The sermon highlights three key points: the reality of worry in a fallen world, the uselessness of worry (as it subtracts from rather than adds to our lives), and how worry distracts us from focusing on God, who brings peace. The remedy Jesus offers is to seek God's kingdom first and focus on today rather than being consumed by tomorrow's concerns.
Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:19-24 that we should store treasures in heaven rather than on earth, where they're vulnerable to loss and decay. Our treasures reveal our heart's true desires. When materialism clouds our vision, our priorities become distorted, leading us to worship created things rather than the Creator. Jesus emphasizes we cannot serve both God and money—we must choose our master. As Christ became poor to make us spiritually rich, we should respond by examining our spending, evaluating our possessions, seeking the Spirit's guidance, planning wisely, and practicing generosity.
Jesus teaches that in His upside-down kingdom, our worship practices should be motivated by pleasing God rather than impressing others. Examining charitable giving, prayer, and fasting in Matthew 6:1-18, Jesus challenges us to examine the heart attitudes behind these spiritual disciplines. When we perform religious acts to gain human recognition, we've already received our full reward. Instead, Jesus calls us to practice these disciplines privately, focusing on an audience of one—our Heavenly Father—who sees what is done in secret and will reward accordingly.
Jesus offers a revolutionary approach to handling conflict in Matthew 5:38-42, challenging the misapplication of 'an eye for an eye' that had become a personal license for revenge. He teaches us to overcome evil with good rather than escalating conflicts through retaliation. This doesn't mean we should never resist evil or remain in abusive situations, but rather that we should break the cycle of vengeance in our personal relationships.Jesus provides four practical examples: turning the other cheek when insulted rather than responding in kind; going beyond minimum requirements when making amends for our wrongs; willingly serving others even when our rights are being infringed upon; and giving generously to those in genuine need. The devastating multi-generational feud between the Hatfields and McCoys stands as a stark warning about the consequences of refusing forgiveness, while Mary Johnson's remarkable journey of forgiving and eventually befriending O'Shea Israel, the man who murdered her son, demonstrates the transformative power of grace. By absorbing offenses rather than retaliating, we follow God's example, who absorbed our sins through Christ to reconcile us to Himself.
In Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus addresses a distorted interpretation of God's law that allowed people to limit their love to those like themselves. The religious leaders had twisted Scripture by adding 'hate your enemy' to God's command to 'love your neighbor as yourself.' Jesus corrects this by pointing to God's character, who extends care to all people regardless of their response to Him.Jesus gives several compelling reasons for loving our enemies: it reflects our true identity as God's children, distinguishes us from the world, and leads us toward spiritual maturity. Even tax collectors, the most despised members of society in Jesus' day, could love those who loved them. But Jesus calls us to a higher standard—to be complete or mature as our heavenly Father is perfect.This radical love begins with prayer, which changes our hearts toward those who have hurt us. When we pray for our enemies, God's Spirit ministers to our spirit, helping us become more like Christ. This doesn't minimize our hurt but calls us to a higher way—absorbing the cost of forgiveness just as Christ absorbed the cost of our sin.
Finding freedom begins with vulnerability - laying our brokenness before God and trusting others. When we hide our struggles, we perpetuate cycles of pain that affect everyone around us. True transformation starts with genuine repentance and surrender, allowing God to break and reshape us. Through vulnerability, we experience healing, discover authentic love, restore relationships, and find the peace we've been seeking. God meets us in our brokenness, offering a transformative love that changes everything when we stop carrying the weight of our past and allow Him to work in our lives.
In a world where loopholes and half-truths have become commonplace, Jesus calls His followers to a higher standard. As we continue through the Sermon on the Mount, we discover what it means to be citizens of God's kingdom, particularly in how we speak.
Marriage represents a divine covenant designed to reflect Christ's relationship with the church, though human sinfulness has led to increased divorce rates. Jesus addressed this issue by clarifying that while Mosaic law allowed divorce certificates as a concession, God's original intent was for marriage to be permanent. Biblical grounds for divorce are limited to cases of sexual immorality and abandonment by an unbelieving spouse, with temporary separation sometimes necessary in cases of abuse or addiction.For those who have experienced divorce, God offers complete forgiveness through Christ when there is genuine repentance and a commitment to move forward in obedience. Building a strong marriage requires focusing on God's glory rather than personal comfort, viewing the relationship as a picture of Christ and the church, and committing to work through difficulties. Practical steps include seeking biblical counseling when needed, regularly reaffirming covenant commitments, and maintaining a focus on reflecting Christ's faithful love in the marriage relationship.
Who is the angel of the LORD who appears several times in the Old Testament but disappears in the New Testament? Is he simply an angel of high ranking, or could he be the Son of God pre-incarnate? This episode seeks to answer this question!
Honoring mother figures in our lives requires putting God's love first and expressing that love through practical actions. This includes performing acts of service, speaking words of affirmation, giving quality time and attention, and teaching children to show respect. When we prioritize our relationship with God, we become better equipped to serve and honor the mothers in our lives through tangible expressions of love and gratitude. These actions should be consistent daily practices, not just special occasion gestures.
As J.I. Packer highlighted, the doctrine of the Trinity is a mystery, not a contradiction. Yet, as we seek understanding and try to help others grasp this attribute of God, we look for creative ways to do so. This episode explores a few well-known ways we have tried to explain the Holy Spirit in church life and why they fall short of doing so.
This week, we examine one of God's most mysterious attributes: His Triune nature. Dive in with me as we examine Scripture and do our best to come away with a better understanding of our God and how He has revealed Himself!
More Than Sunday Morning Links
Trying to Understand the Trinity (Part 1): Three Distinct PersonsTrying to Understand the Trinity (Part 2): Each Person is Fully GodTrying to Understand the Trinity (Part 3): There is One God
Lust and pornography present significant challenges in today's digital world, particularly affecting Christian communities. Jesus teaches that lustful intent equals adultery in the heart, emphasizing the importance of addressing not just actions but thoughts. The harmful effects of pornography include damaged relationships, objectification of people, and violation of God's design for sexuality. Victory over these struggles requires decisive action through accountability, practical boundaries, and support systems while remembering that Christ offers freedom from sin's bondage.
This week, we try to clarify an abstract attribute of God and unpack what it means for the woman who first heard it and us today!
Anger, like a small spark that ignites a wildfire, has the power to cause devastating damage in our lives and relationships. While not all anger is sinful, most stems from pride and selfishness rather than righteousness. Unresolved anger creates barriers in our relationship with God and hinders genuine worship. The path forward requires taking initiative in reconciliation, approaching others with humility, and extending the same grace that God has shown us through Christ.
Understanding the relationship between Jesus and Old Testament law is crucial for every believer's spiritual journey. Explore how Jesus fulfilled both the Mosaic law and prophetic writings, and discover the enduring relevance of Old Testament teachings. Learn about God's unchanging principles, the transition from Old to New Covenant, and why perfect law-keeping isn't enough for righteousness. Key topics include biblical interpretation, Mosaic law, New Covenant, righteousness through faith, Christ fulfillment, biblical prophecy, Christian living, spiritual growth, Bible study, Old Testament relevance, Jesus teaching, biblical understanding, Christian doctrine, faith journey, spiritual wisdom, biblical principles, Christian faith, religious studies, biblical theology, spiritual development.
Jesus faced widespread misunderstanding about His relationship with the Old Testament law during His ministry. While many accused Him of breaking the law, He actually fulfilled it perfectly. The confusion arose because religious leaders had elevated human traditions to the same level as Scripture. Jesus demonstrated the true intent of God's law while challenging man-made religious customs that had obscured its purpose. He kept every divine command both in action and heart, ultimately becoming the perfect sacrifice the law required.
Jesus provides two metaphors to help us understand who we are as His followers. Our identity teaches us how to influence our world for His Kingdom. But what does being salt and light tangibly look like for believers?
(Matthew 5:13-16)
Sermon Notes
This episode explores God's sovereignty and holiness as revealed to Isaiah, emphasizing the stark contrast between God's perfection and human sinfulness. Isaiah's vision leads to his confession of sin and subsequent cleansing by God, highlighting the necessity for divine grace. Ultimately, Isaiah responds affirmatively to God's call for service, underscoring a transformative encounter with the Holy One.
God's love transcends all boundaries and societal judgments, as demonstrated through Jesus' interactions with those deemed unworthy. The story of Levi, a tax collector whom Jesus called to discipleship, illustrates this unconditional love perfectly. We are challenged to examine our own tendencies to judge others and instead show the same grace we've received. By entering dark places while maintaining our light, building relationships with the rejected, and showing love without judgment, we can truly demonstrate that God's love is for everyone.
Has God told you to do something even when doing it didn't make much sense? Were you obedient even though it seemed senseless and not beneficial? Jeremiah found himself in a situation like this and was obedient. But what about God's person who helped him obey in bleak circumstances? See how God, being sovereign and omnipotent, helped the prophet be obedient and how they can do the same for us today.
Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnipotent. What do these three words that we seldom hear and less often use mean about our God? How can these attributes of our God provide comfort, peace, encouragement, and hope during crises?
Matthew 5:1-12, known as the Beatitudes, presents Jesus’ teachings on the characteristics of those who belong to His Kingdom. These verses describe the humble, merciful, pure-hearted, and peacemaking individuals who, despite suffering or persecution, are blessed and promised rewards in heaven. Jesus redefines happiness, showing that true fulfillment comes not from worldly success but from living according to God’s values.
In this passage, we will discover who and what a disciple of Jesus is, can these four qualities of a disciple be said of you?
This week, we transition from bibliology to Theology Proper, the study of God Himself. Adventure Club's question for this coming Sunday is: "Who is the one true God?" To answer this question, they will look at 1 Kings 17, where the LORD, the God of the Bible, shows Himself to be the one true God as Elijah faces off with the prophets of Baal.
Our theology resource for this week will be Elijah and Syncretism, as it provides an overview for parents or guardians who have children in Adventure Club so that it can encourage faith talks throughout next week after Sunday night's lesson. It is also appropriate for us as we look to the Bible as we begin our systematic study of who God is, the One true God who is like no other and rightly demands our exclusive obedience and affection.
Why do we have the 66 books of the Bible we do? Why were others left out? This post explores and answers how we have the 66 books we have.
Does the Bible contain errors? How can we be sure? What is inerrancy? Can we know for sure we have today what God really said to the biblical writers in the past?
In this theology session, we look at Special Revelation. General revelation has let all people, in all places, and at all times know there is a God but fails to reveal the identity of this God and what it means for life. God uses special revelation to show who He is, what He is like, and how we are to relate to Him.
Cornerstone, in general, dive into this week's Theology Thursday with me as we explore General Revelation. After all, 1 Timothy 1:17 says that God is invisible, so how can He exist?
Parents, this video hopes to prepare you for what your child is learning in Adventure Club this Sunday. We want to equip you so that you can talk with your child after club about what they learned. These conversations are a great time to share what you have learned about General Revelation and how God has used it in your life, too.
We finish our Christmas series in Matthew 2:13-23. In these verses, Matthew details the King's great escape. We will discover why this flight of Jesus and His parents from an enraged king is important and learn how to navigate living by Joseph's example.
Daniel 8 is loaded with astounding prophecy, which has come to pass fully and accurately! But why is biblical prophecy important? Is it simply enjoyable mind candy, or are there beneficial truths for us to believe that provide tangible benefits?
In the first part of Daniel 7, we discovered what Daniel saw in his vision; here, we see what Daniel learned from his vision and how what he learned can help us today.
What is the meaning of the four beasts in Daniel 7? What do these wild verses mean today as we approach another presidential election and face life's difficulties?
Daniel 6 recounts the story of Daniel being thrown into the lions’ den after defying King Darius' decree prohibiting prayer to anyone except the king. Miraculously, God protects Daniel by shutting the lions' mouths, leading Darius to acknowledge God's power and issue a decree honoring Him throughout the kingdom. It's a story we know well but during this sermon, we will learn a biblical principle and spiritual habit that will help us through life's most difficult times, just like they did Daniel.
In Daniel chapter 5, King Belshazzar of Babylon hosts a grand feast using sacred vessels taken from the Jerusalem temple, dishonoring God. During the celebration, a mysterious hand appears and writes a message on the wall. Daniel is called to interpret it, warning that Belshazzar's kingdom is about to fall due to his arrogance and failure to honor God, which is fulfilled that very night when Babylon is conquered. In this ghostly tale we find an important truth for helping us demonstrate our love for God.
We've all heard tales of legendary beasts and monsters that lurk in the shadows of the cultural fringe, folklore, and mythology. However, there is a beastly sin that lurks within all of us. Some believe that this sin is the root from which all other sins grow out of and bloom. What is this sin? What does God desire to form in its place and how does He go about this transforming work in our lives? Do we have a part in this metamorphic? All these questions are answered in this sermon from Daniel 4!
In Daniel 3 we discover how we can live courageously for Jesus wherever we are today and how our courage can encourage others now and later.
Daniel chapter two is full of prophecy. Some of the prophecies have been fulfilled and some still await fulfillment. Join us as we look at Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a colossal statue that robs him of his sleep meant for him and means for us today. We will wrestle with who or what the ten toes represent in this sermon too!
The book of Daniel offers profound lessons on faith, cultural assimilation, and God's sovereignty. Daniel and his friends, taken to Babylon, resolved not to defile themselves with the king's food, demonstrating deep faith and respectful resistance. Their unwavering commitment led to divine favor and exceptional wisdom. Today, Daniel's story encourages us to maintain our faith in adversity, engage respectfully, and trust in God's perfect plans.
Exploring the nature of God's goodness amidst suffering, we examine biblical stories and personal experiences to understand His mercy and grace. We discuss why bad things happen to good people, the story of Job, and the problem of God's mercy, ultimately finding that both blessings and suffering draw us closer to God. The key to faithfulness is contentment in God alone, as illustrated by Asaph's journey in Psalm 73.
Exploring Acts Chapter 6, we learn about the emergence of deacons in the early church, a response to the growing community's needs. Deacons were established to manage the physical needs, allowing apostles to focus on teaching and prayer. Their qualifications included being respected, Spirit-filled, and wise. The selection process was communal, and their service led to significant church growth and the spread of the gospel.
In John 9, we explore the transformation of a man born blind who encounters Jesus and gains both physical sight and spiritual insight. Jesus' healing of the man's blindness is a powerful demonstration of God's works and leads to a profound understanding of faith and worship. The man's journey from questioning to bold testimony and finally to worshiping Jesus offers us a blueprint for deepening our own worship through a clearer vision of who Jesus is.
In Luke 7:36-50, an unnamed woman demonstrates profound worship by anointing Jesus with expensive perfume, despite being a known sinner. Her actions contrast with Simon the Pharisee's judgmental stance, prompting Jesus to teach about forgiveness through a parable. This story encourages us to worship Jesus deeply, recognizing the magnitude of our forgiveness and the depth of our sin.
Sermon Notes
Study Notes on Luke 7:36-40
Exploring Mark 2:1-12, we learn about the power of faith, determination, and prayer through the story of four friends who overcome obstacles to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus for healing. Jesus' response to their faith is both forgiving and miraculous, prompting us to remove life's distractions and commit to intercessory prayer, trusting in His transformative power.
Exploring Psalm 20:4, we uncover that it's not a blanket promise for personal desires but a specific prayer for King David's success. Proper Bible study, including prayer and context understanding, is crucial. Aligning our hearts with God's will is key to having our desires met, as our true joy should be in the Lord, not in our own plans.
In the midst of spiritual depression, Psalm 42 serves as a beacon of hope, guiding us to seek God's presence with the same desperation as a deer for water. It encourages us to reflect on past joys, question our emotions, and wrestle with our thoughts, while ultimately affirming God's unfailing love. By anchoring our hope in God, we find the strength to persevere through our darkest moments and reconnect with our faith community.
What is Parent Commissioning? Why be commissioned as parents? Is this the same as baby dedication? How do we be commissioned as parents as the primary disciplers as our children? All this and more in this short episode!
Romans 16:1-7
At first glance, the first sixteen verses of chapter 16 look like a list of Paul's social media followers. Because of this surface appearance, a list of little-known and hard-to-pronounce names, these verses can be easily skipped or quickly skimmed during our reading or study times. Regarding passages like Romans 16:1-16, we must remember that God has breathed out every word of the Scriptures, and they are helpful for us. As we look at these nearly invisible brothers and sisters in Christ, what visible lessons can we take from their examples and, by following in their footsteps, make a visible impact in the lives of others for God's Kingdom?
Romans 15:14-33
In the second part of chapter 15, Paul explains his reasons for writing, his delay in visiting the Romans, and his future plans. Through Paul's personal touch near the end of this letter, we find three important reminders for us to listen to and carryout to be faithful followers of Jesus.
Paul continues to unpack God's will for His people. In these verses, we discover the kind of love we are to have for others. When we love one another with this kind of love, we prove to the world that we are Christ's followers.
Paul immediately moves into an arena of life where we need our minds transformed so that we will know God's good, pleasing, and perfect will. In these short verses the Apostle reminds us that we must not be proud people but a humble people who recognize their need for others and others need for them if the body of Christ is to mature. Join us in this episode to see how God has both built and equipped the members of His body to help one another!
Pastor Alex takes us through Jesus' words on worry and how we can live a worry free life!
Brian shares his heart for both the ministries of Marked Men for Christ and to see men's lives transformed by the power of the Gospel. Using his struggle with anger, he provides not only Biblical guidance for dealing with anger rightly but also hope for those who are angry as he transparently shares how God has and is working in his life in this emotion that many of us deal with too.
https://www.markedmenforchrist.org/
God has shown us what awaits all of creation including us receiving our new bodies that last forever! But while we wait, is there help for God's children! The answer is a resounding, YES! See the ways that God helps us as His children till receive our full inheritance as co-heirs with Christ.
It just so happens that the Holy Spirit placed these verses of Scripture before as a body after a heavy week. There aren't many (if any) verses that would be better at ministering to God's people who find their hearts heavy than Romans 8:17-25. In these verses, we see promises pertaining to our future that provide hope, encouragement, and energy for today. What are these promises? We pray that as you listen, God will do His work in your life and that you will claim these promises for God's children today and live differently because of them!
It would be hard to argue that another chapter in the Bible so beautifully and powerfully describes the depth and width of the Gospel and its effects on the Believer's life and the universe. Romans 8:1 declares that there is no condemnation for those in Jesus! This week, we look at how this fact is possible because of the Holy Spirit and what He does to reassure us that we are in Christ!
Romans 7:14-25 answers the following question, "Why do I still struggle with sin, even though I am a believer in Jesus?" Every believer experiences an ongoing struggle with keeping God's law. Will relief from this struggle ever occur? If this struggle will one day cease to exist, what do we do in the meantime?
Scripture: 1 Kings 8:1-61
We have a God Who is faithful and that makes a difference in our lives now! This week we are challenged by King Solomon's worship and prayer as he leads the nation of Israel in dedicating the temple. We were also able to honor nine faithful saints who were there at Cornerstone's beginning!
Neal takes us to one of the most breathtaking chapters of all Scripture, Revelation 5, to help us answer the question, "Is He Worthy?" The reasons for His worthiness are our reasons for our worship of Him because they display His work on our behalf.
Paul continues unpacking the aspects pertaining to the believer and his or her relationship with the law today. This week, we will see why we need the law as Jesus' followers today. By understanding our need for the law, we can grow in Christlikenss and live in freedom.
Is becoming more like Christ important for a believer to pursue? See what the Bible says about this question from Romans 6:1 and other selected passages.
A commonly asked question is, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Though Jesus Himself (Luke 18:19) and Scripture (Romans 3:10-12) remind us that no one but God is truly good, from a human point of view, we can rightly judge that some people are closer to representing God's goodness with their lives than others. It bothers us when we see those whose lives reflect God's goodness to those around them suffer. This question is not a new one that people ask or struggle with; after all, the oldest book in our Bible, as far as when written (not in content), is concerned with this same upsetting question. This week we discover three things that we learn from Job and his suffering that will help us remain faithful and hopeful during times of suffering.
Life has enough hardships and curveballs without us adding more heartaches and headaches by without us adding more because of making foolish choices that could have been prevented if we had applied Scripture. This week we look at Solomon and the book of Proverbs to help us understand how to live wisely and enjoy the benefits that come with living in such a way.
Some say that Romans 1:18-32 is the clearest passage in the Bible concerning same-sex relations and them being sinful. Others, Christians, and skeptics alike, claim that these verses have nothing to do with gender identity or sexual orientation like we presently know them. So which is it? This week we will look at what the Bible says about homosexuality, gender identity and how we ought to live in light of its teaching.
As we survey Romans chapters one and two, we will discover how God has revealed Himself to all of humanity at all times. Another way to rephrase this week's question would be, "How do we know that God exists?"
What does it take to experience freedom and victory over a sin that you continue to struggle against? How do we get past the shame and guilt of our hidden sin and experience the joy of God's salvation once again in our lives? This episode on Psalm 51 gives us two habits we need to have in order to experience cleansing, healing, and deliverance from those sins that always seem to trip us up.
This week we look at a familiar story of gladiator proportion! David verses Goliath is on queue for this week as we look at the importance of faith in our lives as followers of Christ and as a church!
Nothing was more exhilarating to say but deflating to hear than the phrase “King me!” when playing checkers as a child. Saying the words gave me a sense of accomplishment and hope even if down several pieces, and nothing caused more apprehension than my opponent saying the words, “King Me!” feeling like they had gained the upper hand. The exact words brought a sense of victory and defeat. Turning our attention to 1 Samuel, we won’t see this same phrase on any of its pages, but we do notice the nation of Israel express their desire for God to king them by granting them a king to rule over them like the surrounding nations. This week's episode will challenge us to live by the motto, "King Him!" instead of "King me!" and why it benefits us to do so!
Pastor Bradley calls our attention to some words of Jesus that make us stop and think! Join us in this episode as we look at Matthew 7:21-23 and answer the question, "Whatcha talking about Jesus?"
Just like a well hidden Easter Egg that elates a child when they find it, Ezra has an Easter message hidden in plain sight! What do the returning exiles celebrating Passover have to do with us and Easter? Listen and find out!
Each generation, our sons and daughters, must commit to God themselves. That is covenant renewal. God calls each generation to decide to follow Him or worship false gods. After Joshua calls the people to serve the LORD, they respond with their answer. This week reminds us of how important it is to pass down our faith and some practical ways and resources to impress God's commands upon the next generation.
Whether you love Tom Brady, hate Tom Brady, or are indifferent towards Tom Brady as a now former NFL quarterback, his love for the game provides a great example of being sold out to something. See what a former NFL quarterback and Deuteronomy 6:5 shows us what it means to be sold out to God.
Yes, this episode is long, but we reveal what we believe God has for us during the next five years this week!
The enemy rises with opposition when God begins a new work in His people's lives. This week we will as that our Father rekindle our boldness in the face of opposition and why we will face opposition when we try and live out a godly life.
This week's Scripture will help us see what is keeping us from being a devoted follower of Jesus. Next week, the Shema will also help us consider what it means to be completely sold out to God.
This third book of our Bible continues the instructions given to Moses by God at Mount Sinai. Leviticus can be a book of the Bible that we can struggle to read through since it contains instructions for animal sacrifices, seemingly strange civil laws, and purification rituals, among other things. However, the big idea of Leviticus is God’s holiness and His concern for the holiness of His people.
The remaining chapters of Exodus show us how Moses enjoyed God's presence with greater intimacy than the rest of the Israelites (with the possible exception of Joshua). This week we will discover God's desire to be among His people and four steps we can take to constantly know Him more and more!
Ezra 1:1-6 begins with a couple of wake-up calls! How does God wake up our passion for Him? These verses will also give us our first prayer to pray as we seek God to rekindle any area of our relationship with Him that has or is waning.
Ezra chapter two is a chapter of our Bibles that we are tempted to skim over or skip entirely. However, this chapter shows us how to live for God's glory alone!
These ten words of Exodus 20 serve as a compass, pointing us down the path of right living with God and others. They also tell us our need for a Savior and that this Savior is Jesus. I pray that our Lord uses these couple weeks of focusing on the ten commandments to help you love Him supremely, love your neighbor as yourself, and, if need be, open your eyes to your need for rescuing from your sin by Jesus, the only one who can save us from our sin!
God gave Moses and the Israelites these commandments almost 3500 years ago and yet they still are as relevant today as they were then as they show us how we are to relate with God and others.
Moses and the plagues reveal who the true God is and that as the only One who can rescue a people for HImself and safely guide them home, He is the One we ought to trust and worship. This week we see how God proves Himself to the Israelites and the Egyptians and how they responded and how we can respond today.
The story of Joseph teaches us how we can trust God because He is faithful to do what He says He will do. Joseph demonstrates how we can remain strong in our faith while God works out His plans for our lives despite suffering because of someone else's evil actions and intentions.
As we turn our gaze to Abram, better known as Abraham, we see a monumental building block for our understanding of the one biblical narrative. If this were a ten-week series instead of a 52-week study, I would still have included God’s covenant with Abraham in our survey at number two. The Abrahamic Covenant continues God’s redemptive work promised in Genesis 3:15 and helps us understand some end-time events. At this point in the biblical storyline, it shows us the extent of God’s redeeming love and the exact man’s descendants whom God will use to make it all possible.
Noah and the flood is one of the most well-known historical stories of the Bible. In this episode, we will see God reveal Himself as both Judge and Redeemer and discover some practical applications in how we can walk with Him like Noah.
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Genesis 3 is one of those chapters in the Bible where a pastor can find weeks of message material to preach! This week's blog focuses on how Satan tempts God's people and how we can resist his tactics and experience more and more victory over sin in our lives. The podcast uses Genesis 3 to help us have a better understanding of God, ourselves, our world, and God's promise of the best being yet to come.
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In the second ever episode of our midweek podcast, we continue looking at the creation narrative from a different angle. In week one we saw what creation taught us about God and this week we will see what the Bible's account of creation can help us correctly shape our identity (blog) as we discover what it means to be made in the image of God. The podcast focuses more on life application derived from God's revelation of Himself as a Triune Creator God.
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Christmas day has come and gone. Your Christmas decor may or may not be packed up. Our focus is no longer on the birth of the world's Savior but the world's new year and what it may hold. We linger in John's Gospel so that we might not rush from the season for which Christ is the reason without contemplating what His birth means for the upcoming year. This week's sermon shows us that God revealed Jesus as the coming Messiah through one man's obedience to His revealed will. The truth is, God wants to reveal Jesus to others through us as well, this week we see what we need to do if we want God to reveal Jesus to others through us like He did through John the Baptist.
In our first season of the Midweek Podcast, we will explore 52 important stories of the Bible. Like Lego blocks being joined together a block at a time into a finished Lego creation, each story in this season will connect to one another, building an understanding of the Bible's one continuous story.
Paul's request of Philemon to forgive Onesimus was counter-cultural. Paul asked a master to forgive a useless, thieving, runaway slave instead of punishing him. Who or what could Paul justify such a request? In this episode, we focus on the man who positioned himself to make this kind of head-spinning forgiveness possible and sensible.
This week Pastor Bradley looks at the lives of Jeremiah and Daniel for wisdom on how to live a godly life in a spiritual wasteland.
In this episode, Karen Slate from North Carolina Baptist Children's Home shares about what God has done and is doing through the umbrella of ministries provided by BCH.
In week 2 of our series, Onesimus shows us how to ask someone to forgive us for a wrong we committed against them. This episode covers three qualities that make an apology sincere and effective.
The making of a spectacular play on the ball in baseball begins before the pitcher hurls the ball toward the catcher's mitt. A good fielder is in a position that enables him to make a play on the ball hit toward him in any direction. This week we will discover that the ability to forgive also begins before someone hurls a wrong our way. The first seven verses teach us how we can be in a position to make a play on forgiveness before we even have a reason to forgive.
In our last week of The Red, The Blue, The Church, we will see how we honor God with our vote when we honor others despite how they vote. This week's message will look at four key relationships that believers have and how biblical obedience in each relationship helps us honor God with our politics.
Does God expect followers of Jesus to vote in elections? Is it a sin not to vote in an election? Where did the concept of government arise? What does God expect of governments and His people? Finally, in a democratic republic, something unknown to biblical times and authors, what does He expect of us today?
In week two of The Red, The Blue, The Church, we take a trip through Scripture and discover answers to these questions as we strive to unify around Jesus and His Word.
Political agendas, divisiveness, and tension are not new to us today. Besides politics being as American as apple pie, being around since our nation's birth, even Jesus found Himself living in a tense heated political climate. Jesus' conversation about taxes in Matthew 22 gives us a framework to reflect upon our own lives and answer with clarity the question, "Who has my heart, my politics or Jesus?"
Paul told the believers living in Corinth that their goal was to bring glory to God in whatever they did. 1 Corinthians 10:31 is a powerful verse in that if we filter everything we do through this verse, our lives would be a constant and pleasing offering of worship to our King. This week we will look at two things to keep in mind so we can use our vote to bring glory to God.