Cornersound: Recent Episodes
Cornersound
Peparing the Inheritance - Rachel Jones - 9th of August 2026 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Maintaining the House of God - Ps Joy Graetz - 2nd of August 2026 by Cornerstone Christian Church
The place of the Bible in the Life of a Christian Part 1 - Ps Chris O'Gorman - 26th of July 2026 by Cornerstone Christian Church
The place of the Bible in the Life of a Christian Part 1 - Ps Chris O'Gorman - 19th of July 2026 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Consecration Part 3 - Ps Josh Newington - 12th of July 2026 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Consecration Part 2 - Ps Josh Newington - 28th of June 2026 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Joy Markula, Davina Smith, Gavin Power - Naidoc at Cornerstone - 5th of July 2026 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Consecration Part 1 - Ps Josh Newington - 21st of June 2026 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Spiritual Impartation - Ps. Joy Graetz - 07th of June 2026 by Cornerstone Christian Church
And God Came Close - Chris Magnussen - 24th of May 2026 by Cornerstone Christian Church
The God Who Finds Us - Ps. Joshua Newington - 10th of May 2026 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Interventionist God? - Ps Chris O'Gorman - 3th of May 2026 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Life Together - Ps. Joshua Newington - 26th of April 2026 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Discovering Alpha - Ps Murray Averill - 19th of April 2026 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Resurrection Sunday - Ps Chris O'Gorman - 5th of April 26 by Cornerstone Christian Church
When the Snake Bites Part 2 - Ps Joy Graetz - 29th of March 26 by Cornerstone Christian Church
When the Snake Bites Part 1 - Ps Joy Graetz - 22nd of March 26 by Cornerstone Christian Church
The power and importance of the comma, the power and importance of unity, and the power and importance of the Body of Christ - Rob Burgess - 15th of March 2026 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Ephesians, A Grand Design for a New Humanity, Part 8 - Ps Josh Newington - 22nd February 26 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Ephesians, A Grand Design for a New Humanity, Part 7 - Ps Josh Newington - 22nd February 26 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Ephesians, A Grand Design for a New Humanity, Part 6 - Ps Josh Newington - 15th February 26 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Ephesians, A Grand Design for a New Humanity, Part 5 - Ps Josh Newington - 8th February 26 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Church More Than a Sunday, Life Groups - Andrew Jones - 1th February 2026 by Cornerstone Christian Church
How to Have a Great Year, Am I Content or Just Stuck?- Ps Joy Graetz - 25th January 2026 by Cornerstone Christian Church
How to Have a Great Year, Isaiah 49 1-7 - Ps Graham Clarke - 18th January 2026 by Cornerstone Christian Church
How to Have a Great Year, The Holy Spirit as the Wellspring of Blessing - Ps Charles Newington - 11th of January 26 by Cornerstone Christian Church
How to Have a Great Year, Jesus at The Center - Ps Graham Clarke - 4th January 26 by Cornerstone Christian Church
How to Have a Great Year, Remember What God Has Done - Ps Josh Newington - 28th December 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Christmas Day, God Camps With Us - Sharolyn Newington - 25th December 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Advent - Hope, Elizabeth and Mary - Sharolyn Newington - 30th November 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Ephesians, A Grand Design for a New Humanity, Part 4 - Ps Josh Newington - 23rd November 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Ephesians, A Grand Design for a New Humanity, Part 3 - Ps Josh Newington - 16th November 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Ephesians, A Grand Design for a New Humanity, Part 2 - Ps Graham Clarke - 9th of November 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Ephesians, A Grand Design for a New Humanity, Part 1 - Ps Graham Clarke - 2nd of November 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
God-Reliably Faithful - Ps Joy Graetz - 26th of October 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
You're Still God - Ps Duane Van Vuuren - 19th October 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Lamenting Our Way to Hope - Ps Graham Clarke - 12th October 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Luke 16, The Parable of the Shrewd Manager - Ps Graham Clarke - 21st September 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Grace Outruns Repentance - Ps Graham Clarke - 14th September 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Mission: The Good News Mission - Ps Josh Newington - 24th August 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Family: A Part of God's Cosmic Purpose - Ps Graham Clarke - 10th August 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Family: One Another - Ps Joshua & Sharolyn Newington - 3rd August 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Family: Understanding Singleness in God's Family - Rev Kimberly Smith - 27th July 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Family: Rarely a Straight Line - Ps Joy Graetz - 20th July 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Family: God's Plan A? - Ps Graham Clarke - 13th July 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Stay Together // Wholehearted - Ps Joy Gratez - 18th May 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Play Together // Wholehearted - Ps Joy Gratez - 11th May 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Pray Together // Wholehearted - Ps Joy Graetz - 4th May 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Sent like Jesus, Vunerable like Jesus - Sarah Ardu - 27th April 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Easter Sunday, Breakfast on the Beach - Sharolyn Newington - 20th April 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Palm Sunday, Two Paths-Two Postures - Ps Josh Newington - 13th April 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Lent, Jesus of The Margins - Ps Graham Clarke - 30th March 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Lent, Jesus was Thirsty - Ps Joy Graetz - 23rd March 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Lent, Jesus Napped - Sharolyn Newington - 17th March 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Faith of Leap Pt. 2 - Ps Graham Clarke - 16th of February by Cornerstone Christian Church
Faith of Leap Pt. 1 - Ps Graham Clarke - 9th February 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Summer Sessions - Young Guns, Riley and Stella - 26th January 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Summer Sessions - Ps Clem and Leanne Fryer - 19th January 25 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Summer Sessions - Ps Duane Van Vuuren -29th December 24 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Advent Now In Flesh Appearing - Love For Our Hearts - Ps Charles Newington - 22nd December 24 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Advent Now In Flesh Appearing - Joy For Our Soul - Ps Joy Graetz - 15th December 24 by Cornerstone Christian Church
This is the first sermon a part of our Advent series: Now In Flesh Appearing. Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:41-44
Give it another go - Chris Magnussen - 17th November 24 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Mark 2 Living Stones - Ps Graham Clarke - 3rd November 24 by Cornerstone Christian Church
You, me, but mostly me Pt. 3 - Ps Joy Graetz - 27th October 24 by Cornerstone Christian Church
You, Me, But Mostly Me Pt. 2 - Ps Joy Graetz - 20th October 24 by Cornerstone Christian Church
If you would like to watch the videos that were played during the sermon - please use these links:Gavin and Cain - https://tinyurl.com/4snm7s7sUlrik and Laura - https://tinyurl.com/p6dyb28sLyn and Ally - https://tinyurl.com/2ra6my5b
The Unexpected Solution: Psalm 8 - Ps Graham Clarke - 6th October 24 by Cornerstone Christian Church
A Community Of Guides - Chris Magnussen - 29th September 24 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Walking In The Light 3 | Ps Duane Van Vuuren | 8th September 24 by Cornerstone Christian Church
A Tale Of Two Ships | Ps Graham Clarke | 1st September 24 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Walking In The Light 2 | Duane Van Vuuren | 25th August 24 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Walking In The Light Part 1 | Ps Duane Van Vuuren | 18th August 24 by Cornerstone Christian Church
Hey Cornerstone, Just a quick apology, due to some technical issues the last 5 minutes of the sermon on Sunday didn't record!
Have Confidence In God | Psalm 27 | Ps Josh Newington | 28th Jul by Cornerstone Christian Church
When Forever Feels alot Closer | Part 3 | Ps Charles Newington | 21st Of July by Cornerstone Christian Church
When Forever Feels alot Closer | Part 2 | Ps Charles Newington | 14th Of July by Cornerstone Christian Church
When Forever Feels alot Closer | Ps Charles Newington | 7th Of July by Cornerstone Christian Church
Mission Shaped Life; Sentness | Mathew 28:17 - 18 | Ps Graham | 15th June by Cornerstone Christian Church
Pentecost Part 2; Who Is The Holy Spirit? | Ps Josh | 19th Of May by Cornerstone Christian Church
Pentecost Part 1; Who is the Holy Spirit? | Ps Josh | 12th Of May by Cornerstone Christian Church
Through the Noise: Following Jesus Into Challenging Places | Ps Graham Clarke | 1st October 23 by Cornersound
Through the Noise: Following Jesus Into Challenging Places | Ps Graham Clarke | 24th September 23 by Cornersound
Through the Noise: Following Jesus Into Challenging Places | Ps Joy Graetz | 17th September 23 by Cornersound
Through the Noise: Following Jesus Into Challenging Places | Chris O'Gorman | 10th September 23 by Cornersound
Through the Noise: Following Jesus Into Challenging Places | Ps Duane van Vuuren | 3rd September 23 by Cornersound
Through the Noise: Following Jesus Into Challenging Places | Ps Chris Magnussen | 27th August 23 by Cornersound
Through the Noise: Following Jesus Into Challenging Places | Ps Joshua Newington | 20th August 23 by Cornersound
Through the Noise: Following Jesus into Challenging Places | Ps Graham Clarke | 13th August 23 by Cornersound
Through the Noise: Following Jesus Into Challenging Places | Ps Josh Newington | 6th Aug 23 by Cornersound
There Is Something Happening In The Soil | Ps Graham Clarke | 7th May 23 by Cornersound
Lent 2023 - Unless a Seed falls to the Ground | Ps Joy Graetz | 3 April 2023 by Cornersound
Lent 2023 - Unless a Seed falls to the Ground | Ps Joshua Newington | 26 March 2023 by Cornersound
Lent 2023 - Unless a Seed falls to the Ground | Ps Charles Newington | 19 March 2023 by Cornersound
Ps Josh preaches about the way that Jesus's Kingdom mission took him to those on the margins of society.
Jesus lived a life of prayer | The Jesus Life | Ps Josh Newington | 4 September 2022 by Cornersound
Ps Chris O'Gorman gives us a big picture view of what Jesus loved, so that we might live a life according to his loves.
Ps Josh speaks about how conversation is a part of how we share the hope of Jesus. He references this interview https://youtu.be/pUaWDqDOWPk?t=127 as well as the book https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/How_to_Talk_to_Anyone_92_Little_Tricks_f/q3pHOXF3vzAC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=how+to+talk+to+anyone&printsec=frontcover
Desert or Dinner Parties | The Jesus Life | Ps Chris Magnussen | 17 July 2022 by Cornersound
Josh speaks from Jesus's story about the Good Samaritan about what Jesus might ask of us this NAIDOC week. Credit to the Salvation Army for some of the resources provided https://my.salvos.org.au/toolkit/resource/naidoc-week-2022/2434/
Ps Graham reflects on the census data released during the week that shows a decline in those who identify as Christians.
Ps Graham speaks about how Revelation intends that we 'live' hope. The clip that Ps Graham used can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qZnsBnSL4o
Ps Duane preaches on the coming of the Holy Spirit, the birth of the Church and the Spirit's empowerment for mission.
Ps Joy Graetz preaches on what it means for the Bride (the Church) to make herself ready for the return of Jesus.
Graham talks about the need for a patient approach to the work of the Kingdom through the church.
Josh speaks about what the book of James tells us we need to sow, in order that we yield a harvest of righteousness.
10 Rules for Life | Summer Sessions | Ps Graham Clarke | 16 January 2022 by Cornersound
On Christmas morning, Josh speaks about the difference between happiness and joy. The Christmas story is a story about Joy.
Ps Duane speaks about growing in anticipation for the good things that God has for us and our world.
Ps Graham speaks about how Christianity is all about hope. N.B. There was a technical issue with the recording which means thee first part of this message is missing - our apologies!
Chris O'Gorman speaks about what it means to trust God in the face of our desire for control and autonomy.
Ps Josh speaks from Revelation 1:5-8 about how John worship orients our hearts to the purposes of God.
Chris Magnussen talks about moving beyond the adoption of Christianity conceptually and symbolically to adoption of Christ-likeness.
Ps Graham preaches from Matthew 13 about how the parable of the wheat and tares sets the scene for John's revelation.
Ps Josh speaks about how God's word is to be heard, understood, and live out in community.
Ps Josh speaks from Revelation 1:1-3 about how we know God by revelation and make sense of our revelation in community.
Like the disciples caught at sea in a storm, we go through storms in our lives. Ps Graham speaks about how Jesus is an assurance of peace in these situations, because he has authority over the storm. When we trust Jesus we can live a life based in love and not fear.
Ps Joy talks about setting things in order that we might have victory as those who wage war in the spiritual through worship.
Joy speaks about being sisters & brothers to one another, as well as 'midwives' who assist in the birth of new life in eachother's lives.
In light of the current Bill before parliament on religious freedom, Ps Charles Newington speaks about the Christian imperative to protect human freedoms for all.
Fear not little flock | Kingdom of Love | Charles Newington | 23 May 2021 by Cornersound
Rev Duane Van Vuuren speaks from the story of the Good Samaritan on how Jesus calls us to follow him in living out of love for all.
Ps Graham speaks from Mark 8 about how Jesus subverts our expectations of how God's kingdom goes out into the world.
Josh speaks about framing our understanding our understanding of the Kingdom in Jesus' words in Mark 9:1.
Josh speaks about the reasons, in the gospel of Mark, Jesus seems evasive concerning his identity as Messiah.
Josh speaks from Ephesians 3 about how there are no second-class citizens in God's Kingdom.
Josh speaks from Ephesians 2 about the way that our identity in Jesus trumps all other identities we may have, and the ways these identities can cause division.
Pastor Charles takes us through the second part of Ephesians 1, where Paul gives thanks to God for the community of believers he is writing to and prays that Jesus be revealed to them.
Joy speaks about how the revelation of God can come in unexpected places.
Photo by Manuel Meurisse on Unsplash
Josh speaks about how the 'yoke' of Jesus is purpose fit for us to work with God.
Photo by William Moreland on Unsplash
Pastor Graham takes us on a tour through his life in Christian community.
Photo by John Price on Unsplash
Josh talks from Matthew 11 about Jesus' yoke, and how in binding us to one another it is a connection point between our relationship to God, and God's people.
Chris preaches about the opportunity we have to face up to our personal responsibility of being a priesthood of believers.
Pastor Joy preaches from Romans 5 about the work that God can do in our lives through the challenge of our circumstances.
Pastor Graham talks about finding fresh perspective for a new season.
Photo by Benn McGuinness on Unsplash
Charles Newington speaks about how, just as there is more to a river than we see on the surface, the Holy Spirit is acting in ways we cannot always see.
Josh speaks about the image of Jesus we see in the book of Revelation, as the source of the River of God.
Pastor Clem marks Pentecost, the day the Spirit descended on Jesus' followers, initiating the Church.
Pastor Chris O'Gorman preaches from Galatians 5 about 'staying in the flow' of the river of God.
Joy speaks about the way we can become spiritually stuck in isolated and stagnating pools.
Chris talks about how God is present in our lives, often in places we don't anticipate.
Pastor Clem speaks about the life of God within. Something available to all of us through the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Josh speaks about how in his death and resurrection, Jesus is the source of eternal life.
Pastor Joy talks about facing up to the bigger work of renewal that god wants to do in our lives.
Pastor Graham speaks about how, in the midst of the uncertainty of this time, we have an opportunity to come to know the certainty of God as our foundation.
Pastor Josh talks about the opportunity to know Christ more through spiritual disciplines in the time of COVID-19.
In the face of COVID-19, Pastor Josh encourages us to live with our spiritual reality as our foundation.
Pastor Graham takes us into the Via Unitiva (the Way of Union) as a rhythm of seeking renewal.
Pastor Josh speaks about how aligning our lives with God's order is key to spiritual renewal.
Pastor Josh speaks about how our understanding of the Gospel needs to entail an understanding of the Kingdom of God, and how being saved means becoming a subject of the rule and reign of Jesus as King.
As we enter a month where there is a lot happening at Cornerstone regarding overseas mission, Pastor Graham gives us a framework within which to think about the mission of the church.
Pastor Josh kicks off our big series for the year by introducing the idea that we can use the theme of 'the river' as a lens for reading Scripture.
Pr Josh gets in to why and how prophecies that were directed to Israel come to be read as being about Jesus, and how this is good news for Jesus' followers.
Pastor Joy preaches about going in to the new year in the confidence of the things done for us by God.
Josh preaches about how in Jesus, God has made a way to whomever acknowledges their need of him.
Graham preaches about how God invites those at the margins of society to the centre of what he is doing through Jesus.
Pastor Josh preaches about how Mary can disciple us as we follow her example in saying yes to the invitation of God.
Pastor Joy preaches about how we move forward in God's purpose when the way doesn't seem clear.
Pastor Josh speaks from 1 Peter 4 about the shape of a life lived for God, that it starts with a preparedness to die to self and is marked by love for others.
Pastor Graham preaches about how God presences himself in the world through his chosen people, the church community.
Josh introduces 1 Peter, speaking about how God chooses do dwell among exiles living in the shadow of empire.
Sarah speaks about how her ministry in Cambodia has taught her to put Jesus before 'Christianity'.
Graham talks about the way that God calls us into family-like relationships where we take responsibility for one another's welfare.
Pastor Josh looks at the story of Abram receiving God's promise; believing and being set right with God.
Pastor Graham Clarke talks about how, even though living out a Christian faith can seem complex in our times, the Jesus makes it simple.
Ps Graham preaches through the surprising and challenging fourth and final chapter of Jonah.
Ps Josh Newington preaches from Jonah 1 about how God's love is greater than God's people can sometimes cope with.
Pastor Andrew preaches about the way that we get stuck, and don't follow Jesus when he calls us.
Visiting speaker, Rev Dr Adam White, speaks to us from 2 Corinthians where Paul boasts in his sufferings.
Joy preaches a message called, "Fight When You Must; Party When You Can;Peace Costs" from Esther 9 & 10.
Josh begins our look at the book of Esther with a general orientation, in light of our overarching 'Exiles' theme. In the coming weeks we'll hear Chris O'Gorman, Leanne Fryer and Joy Graetz as they help navigate us through this fascinating book.
Pastor Joy Graetz preaches from Galatians 6 about the 'nurture' of Christian fellowship.
You may remember leading up to Christmas the children helped us with an Advent play each week. Advent is the time of preparing for the mystery of Jesus' birth that we celebrate at Christmas. We are now entering a season the church calls Lent. Lent is a funny name, but it is the time of preparing to enter the mystery of of Jesus' death and resurrection.
Some people can walk right through a mystery and not even know it is there. Maybe they don't know how to get ready. Or maybe they just forgot. The church learned a long time ago that people need a way to get ready to enter or even come close to a mystery like Easter. In Advent we set aside four weeks. In Lent the church takes six Sundays, or forty days to get ready--this is such a great mystery that it takes that long to get ready.
I wonder why it takes longer to enter the mystery of Easter? That is something we will think about together in this time we call this time Lent. During this time we are all on the way to Jerusalem with Jesus. We are journeying through the wilderness towards the cross.
You may remember leading up to Christmas the children helped us with an Advent play each week. Advent is the time of preparing for the mystery of Jesus' birth that we celebrate at Christmas. We are now entering a season the church calls Lent. Lent is a funny name, but it is the time of preparing to enter the mystery of of Jesus' death and resurrection.
Some people can walk right through a mystery and not even know it is there. Maybe they don't know how to get ready. Or maybe they just forgot. The church learned a long time ago that people need a way to get ready to enter or even come close to a mystery like Easter. In Advent we set aside four weeks. In Lent the church takes six Sundays, or forty days to get ready--this is such a great mystery that it takes that long to get ready.
I wonder why it takes longer to enter the mystery of Easter? That is something we will think about together in this time we call this time Lent. During this time we are all on the way to Jerusalem with Jesus. We are journeying through the wilderness towards the cross.
You may remember leading up to Christmas the children helped us with an Advent play each week. Advent is the time of preparing for the mystery of Jesus' birth that we celebrate at Christmas. We are now entering a season the church calls Lent. Lent is a funny name, but it is the time of preparing to enter the mystery of of Jesus' death and resurrection.
Some people can walk right through a mystery and not even know it is there. Maybe they don't know how to get ready. Or maybe they just forgot. The church learned a long time ago that people need a way to get ready to enter or even come close to a mystery like Easter. In Advent we set aside four weeks. In Lent the church takes six Sundays, or forty days to get ready--this is such a great mystery that it takes that long to get ready.
I wonder why it takes longer to enter the mystery of Easter? That is something we will think about together in this time we call this time Lent. During this time we are all on the way to Jerusalem with Jesus. We are journeying through the wilderness towards the cross.
In this season Cornerstone is focusing on one of the great, though often overlooked, themes of Scripture, Exile. The prevalence of exile as a theme, across the span of Scripture is significant: in Genesis 3 the first humans are exiled from the garden. We also read in Scripture about Abraham’s descendants being exiled in Egypt. And of course the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah are carried into exile by the Assyrians and the Babylonians. In recent times scholars like N.T. Wright have helped us to see that in Jesus’ time there was a conception of the Jews being exiled in the Promised Land, because of the occupying presence of Rome. Even though exile is such an important theme it is not difficult to imagine why it is not much focused upon in Christian culture – nobody wants to be in exile. Exile is hard.
But throughout the story of God and His people, even in exile God is always doing something.
Numerous commentators are observing how the church in the Western world, once at the centre, is now being pushed to the margins of society. Could it be that the church is going into an exile of sorts? If so, what might this mean for us as Christians? How would we go about being the people of God in such circumstance? We hope you’ll be blessed as we explore some possible answers to these questions together.
In this season Cornerstone is focusing on one of the great, though often overlooked, themes of Scripture, Exile. The prevalence of exile as a theme, across the span of Scripture is significant: in Genesis 3 the first humans are exiled from the garden. We also read in Scripture about Abraham's descendants being exiled in Egypt. And of course the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah are carried into exile by the Assyrians and the Babylonians. In recent times scholars like N.T. Wright have helped us to see that in Jesus' time there was a conception of the Jews being exiled in the Promised Land, because of the occupying presence of Rome. Even though exile is such an important theme it is not difficult to imagine why it is not much focused upon in Christian culture - nobody wants to be in exile. Exile is hard.
But throughout the story of God and His people, even in exile God is always doing something.
Numerous commentators are observing how the church in the Western world, once at the centre, is now being pushed to the margins of society. Could it be that the church is going into an exile of sorts? If so, what might this mean for us as Christians? How would we go about being the people of God in such circumstance? We hope you'll be blessed as we explore some possible answers to these questions together.
In this season Cornerstone is focusing on one of the great, though often overlooked, themes of Scripture, Exile. The prevalence of exile as a theme, across the span of Scripture is significant: in Genesis 3 the first humans are exiled from the garden. We also read in Scripture about Abraham’s descendants being exiled in Egypt. And of course the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah are carried into exile by the Assyrians and the Babylonians. In recent times scholars like N.T. Wright have helped us to see that in Jesus’ time there was a conception of the Jews being exiled in the Promised Land, because of the occupying presence of Rome. Even though exile is such an important theme it is not difficult to imagine why it is not much focused upon in Christian culture – nobody wants to be in exile. Exile is hard.
But throughout the story of God and His people, even in exile God is always doing something.
Numerous commentators are observing how the church in the Western world, once at the centre, is now being pushed to the margins of society. Could it be that the church is going into an exile of sorts? If so, what might this mean for us as Christians? How would we go about being the people of God in such circumstance? We hope you’ll be blessed as we explore some possible answers to these questions together.
In this season Cornerstone is focusing on one of the great, though often overlooked, themes of Scripture, Exile. The prevalence of exile as a theme, across the span of Scripture is significant: in Genesis 3 the first humans are exiled from the garden. We also read in Scripture about Abraham’s descendants being exiled in Egypt. And of course the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah are carried into exile by the Assyrians and the Babylonians. In recent times scholars like N.T. Wright have helped us to see that in Jesus’ time there was a conception of the Jews being exiled in the Promised Land, because of the occupying presence of Rome. Even though exile is such an important theme it is not difficult to imagine why it is not much focused upon in Christian culture – nobody wants to be in exile. Exile is hard.
But throughout the story of God and His people, even in exile God is always doing something.
Numerous commentators are observing how the church in the Western world, once at the centre, is now being pushed to the margins of society. Could it be that the church is going into an exile of sorts? If so, what might this mean for us as Christians? How would we go about being the people of God in such circumstance? We hope you’ll be blessed as we explore some possible answers to these questions together.
In this season Cornerstone is focusing on one of the great, though often overlooked, themes of Scripture, Exile. The prevalence of exile as a theme, across the span of Scripture is significant: in Genesis 3 the first humans are exiled from the garden. We also read in Scripture about Abraham's descendants being exiled in Egypt. And of course the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah are carried into exile by the Assyrians and the Babylonians. In recent times scholars like N.T. Wright have helped us to see that in Jesus' time there was a conception of the Jews being exiled in the Promised Land, because of the occupying presence of Rome. Even though exile is such an important theme it is not difficult to imagine why it is not much focused upon in Christian culture - nobody wants to be in exile. Exile is hard.
But throughout the story of God and His people, even in exile God is always doing something.
Numerous commentators are observing how the church in the Western world, once at the centre, is now being pushed to the margins of society. Could it be that the church is going into an exile of sorts? If so, what might this mean for us as Christians? How would we go about being the people of God in such circumstance? We hope you'll be blessed as we explore some possible answers to these questions together.
In this season Cornerstone is focusing on one of the great, though often overlooked, themes of Scripture, Exile. The prevalence of exile as a theme, across the span of Scripture is significant: in Genesis 3 the first humans are exiled from the garden. We also read in Scripture about Abraham's descendants being exiled in Egypt. And of course the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah are carried into exile by the Assyrians and the Babylonians. In recent times scholars like N.T. Wright have helped us to see that in Jesus' time there was a conception of the Jews being exiled in the Promised Land, because of the occupying presence of Rome. Even though exile is such an important theme it is not difficult to imagine why it is not much focused upon in Christian culture - nobody wants to be in exile. Exile is hard.
But throughout the story of God and His people, even in exile God is always doing something.
Numerous commentators are observing how the church in the Western world, once at the centre, is now being pushed to the margins of society. Could it be that the church is going into an exile of sorts? If so, what might this mean for us as Christians? How would we go about being the people of God in such circumstance? We hope you'll be blessed as we explore some possible answers to these questions together.
Advent is the first season in the Christian calendar and is celebrated over the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.
The title ‘Advent’ comes from the Latin word ‘adventus’ which means ‘coming’. Through this season we wait and prepare to celebrate the incarnation; God coming in to our world as a baby, 2000 years ago.
We also anticipate the second coming, when Christ will return and put all things right. We live in between these two comings.
There is a lot to love about the ‘silly season’; holidays, work parties, time with friends and family, good food and drink. However, it is also easy to find ourselves so caught up in all of this that Jesus is simply reduced to something we tag on at the end of everything else.
In a season so often marked by busy-ness, indulgence, consumption and personal and financial pressures, Advent offers us a distinctly Christian way to approach and re-claim this time of year.
Advent marks the beginning of the church calendar, it is the Christian New Year. Let’s intentionally choose to begin the year well.
Advent is the first season in the Christian calendar and is celebrated over the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.
The title ‘Advent’ comes from the Latin word ‘adventus’ which means ‘coming’. Through this season we wait and prepare to celebrate the incarnation; God coming in to our world as a baby, 2000 years ago.
We also anticipate the second coming, when Christ will return and put all things right. We live in between these two comings.
There is a lot to love about the ‘silly season’; holidays, work parties, time with friends and family, good food and drink. However, it is also easy to find ourselves so caught up in all of this that Jesus is simply reduced to something we tag on at the end of everything else.
In a season so often marked by busy-ness, indulgence, consumption and personal and financial pressures, Advent offers us a distinctly Christian way to approach and re-claim this time of year.
Advent marks the beginning of the church calendar, it is the Christian New Year. Let’s intentionally choose to begin the year well.
Advent is the first season in the Christian calendar and is celebrated over the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.
The title ‘Advent’ comes from the Latin word ‘adventus’ which means ‘coming’. Through this season we wait and prepare to celebrate the incarnation; God coming in to our world as a baby, 2000 years ago.
We also anticipate the second coming, when Christ will return and put all things right. We live in between these two comings.
There is a lot to love about the ‘silly season’; holidays, work parties, time with friends and family, good food and drink. However, it is also easy to find ourselves so caught up in all of this that Jesus is simply reduced to something we tag on at the end of everything else.
In a season so often marked by busy-ness, indulgence, consumption and personal and financial pressures, Advent offers us a distinctly Christian way to approach and re-claim this time of year.
Advent marks the beginning of the church calendar, it is the Christian New Year. Let’s intentionally choose to begin the year well.
This week Clem helps us to consider the Holy Spirit’s application of grace to struggling Christian communities in first century Western Turkey. While we often read Revelation with in application to some point in the future, John’s message in the book of Revelation was intended to encourage present congregational situations. This is so very relevant to each of us sent into society as “ministers of God.”
Josh preaches from Titus 2 about how God's grace is the beginning and end of the Christian life.
Graham picks up from last week speaking about how the missional imperative shapes the Christian life.
Josh speaks about how being on mission means finding new ways to make sense of God's love for people.
Ruth speaks from her life, and from the book of Ephesians about how God works in our lives to move us for his purposes.
Graham speaks about how, in the face of complicated social and political forces, God's people have often most effectively outworked the values of God's Kingdom in the details of their personal interactions with the people around them. As much as we might feel drawn into the machinations that flow from the seats of power, commonly it is the case that--to quote Mother Teresa--we are called to "small acts of great love."
Pastor Joy Graetz preaches from Psalm 125 about having a song from God that can 'keep us moving.' In the same way that soldiers have marching songs, or the African slaves in America famously sang songs to keep hope and energy alive while they worked, Joy suggests that we can sing a song from God that can move us forward through a life of faith.
Graham speaks about what it means to take a Missional posture in the way we as a church talk and pray about politics. He then talks us through how we can pray for our new Prime Minister in this way.
When the Reformer John Calvin wrote his commentary on the Psalms he referred to it as “an anatomy of all parts of the soul.” When we read the Psalms though we can find ourselves shocked at its contents—we can read the Psalmist accusing God of abandoning them (Psalm 29), or even expressing passionate desire for bloodthirsty vengeance (think Psalm 137). But should finding these things in Scripture be shocking to us? Are our own hearts really so different from the Psalmist's? Or is it the case that we somehow expect someone writing parts of the Bible to be different to us, somehow more spiritual?
Perhaps this is understandable, that we should desire Scripture to always point us towards the better parts of our nature. The risk though is that we might become fake, hiding or not acknowledging parts of our struggle as human beings. Ultimately one of the things that is so valuable about the Psalms is how human they actually are, and the way they map what human relationship with God looks like. There is nothing fake or inauthentic about it, because it looks like inviting God into real life. Today we’ll be taking another look at the Psalms and examining how they might shape our real, human, spiritual life, and our relationship with God.
When the Reformer John Calvin wrote his commentary on the Psalms he referred to it as “an anatomy of all parts of the soul.” When we read the Psalms though we can find ourselves shocked at its contents—we can read the Psalmist accusing God of abandoning them (Psalm 29), or even expressing passionate desire for bloodthirsty vengeance (think Psalm 137). But should finding these things in Scripture be shocking to us? Are our own hearts really so different from the Psalmist's? Or is it the case that we somehow expect someone writing parts of the Bible to be different to us, somehow more spiritual?
Perhaps this is understandable, that we should desire Scripture to always point us towards the better parts of our nature. The risk though is that we might become fake, hiding or not acknowledging parts of our struggle as human beings. Ultimately one of the things that is so valuable about the Psalms is how human they actually are, and the way they map what human relationship with God looks like. There is nothing fake or inauthentic about it, because it looks like inviting God into real life. Today we’ll be taking another look at the Psalms and examining how they might shape our real, human, spiritual life, and our relationship with God.
When the Reformer John Calvin wrote his commentary on the Psalms he referred to it as “an anatomy of all parts of the soul.” When we read the Psalms though we can find ourselves shocked at its contents—we can read the Psalmist accusing God of abandoning them (Psalm 29), or even expressing passionate desire for bloodthirsty vengeance (think Psalm 137). But should finding these things in Scripture be shocking to us? Are our own hearts really so different from the Psalmist's? Or is it the case that we somehow expect someone writing parts of the Bible to be different to us, somehow more spiritual?
Perhaps this is understandable, that we should desire Scripture to always point us towards the better parts of our nature. The risk though is that we might become fake, hiding or not acknowledging parts of our struggle as human beings. Ultimately one of the things that is so valuable about the Psalms is how human they actually are, and the way they map what human relationship with God looks like. There is nothing fake or inauthentic about it, because it looks like inviting God into real life. Today we’ll be taking another look at the Psalms and examining how they might shape our real, human, spiritual life, and our relationship with God.
On Sunday 22 July we continued with our series in the Psalms called 'Honest to God'. We heard from Clem Fryer as he shared from Psalm 23.
When the Reformer John Calvin wrote his commentary on the Psalms he referred to it as “an anatomy of all parts of the soul.” When we read the Psalms though we can find ourselves shocked at its contents—we can read the Psalmist accusing God of abandoning them (Psalm 29), or even expressing passionate desire for bloodthirsty vengeance (think Psalm 137). But should finding these things in Scripture be shocking to us? Are our own hearts really so different from the Psalmist's? Or is it the case that we somehow expect someone writing parts of the Bible to be different to us, somehow more spiritual?
Perhaps this is understandable, that we should desire Scripture to always point us towards the better parts of our nature. The risk though is that we might become fake, hiding or not acknowledging parts of our struggle as human beings. Ultimately one of the things that is so valuable about the Psalms is how human they actually are, and the way they map what human relationship with God looks like. There is nothing fake or inauthentic about it, because it looks like inviting God into real life. Today we’ll be taking another look at the Psalms and examining how they might shape our real, human, spiritual life, and our relationship with God.
On Sunday 15 July we continued with the Honest to God series and we were excited to hear from Pastor Joy Graetz as she shared from Psalm 84.
When the Reformer John Calvin wrote his commentary on the Psalms he referred to it as “an anatomy of all parts of the soul.” When we read the Psalms though we can find ourselves shocked at its contents—we can read the Psalmist accusing God of abandoning them (Psalm 29), or even expressing passionate desire for bloodthirsty vengeance (think Psalm 137). But should finding these things in Scripture be shocking to us? Are our own hearts really so different from the Psalmist's? Or is it the case that we somehow expect someone writing parts of the Bible to be different to us, somehow more spiritual?
Perhaps this is understandable, that we should desire Scripture to always point us towards the better parts of our nature. The risk though is that we might become fake, hiding or not acknowledging parts of our struggle as human beings. Ultimately one of the things that is so valuable about the Psalms is how human they actually are, and the way they map what human relationship with God looks like. There is nothing fake or inauthentic about it, because it looks like inviting God into real life. Today we’ll be taking another look at the Psalms and examining how they might shape our real, human, spiritual life, and our relationship with God.
On Sunday 8 July, Joshua Newington continued our series called, 'Honest to God'. This week we looked at Psalm 123.
When the Reformer John Calvin wrote his commentary on the Psalms he referred to it as “an anatomy of all parts of the soul.” When we read the Psalms though we can find ourselves shocked at its contents—we can read the Psalmist accusing God of abandoning them (Psalm 29), or even expressing passionate desire for bloodthirsty vengeance (think Psalm 137). But should finding these things in Scripture be shocking to us? Are our own hearts really so different from the Psalmist's? Or is it the case that we somehow expect someone writing parts of the Bible to be different to us, somehow more spiritual?
Perhaps this is understandable, that we should desire Scripture to always point us towards the better parts of our nature. The risk though is that we might become fake, hiding or not acknowledging parts of our struggle as human beings. Ultimately one of the things that is so valuable about the Psalms is how human they actually are, and the way they map what human relationship with God looks like. There is nothing fake or inauthentic about it, because it looks like inviting God into real life. So for the next month or so we’ll be taking another look at the Psalms and examining how they might shape our real, human, spiritual life, and our relationship with God.
When the Reformer John Calvin wrote his commentary on the Psalms he referred to it as “an anatomy of all parts of the soul.” When we read the Psalms though we can find ourselves shocked at its contents--we can read the Psalmist accusing God of abandoning them (Psalm 29), or even expressing passionate desire for bloodthirsty vengeance (think Psalm 137).
But should finding these things in Scripture be shocking to us? Are our own hearts really so different from the Psalmists? Or is it the case that we somehow expect someone writing parts of the Bible to be different to us, somehow more spiritual? Perhaps this is understandable, that we should desire Scripture to always point us towards the better parts of our nature. The risk though is that we might become fake, hiding or not acknowledging parts of our struggle as human beings.
Ultimately one of the things that is so valuable about the Psalms is how human they actually are, and the way the map what human relationship with God looks like. There is nothing fake or inauthentic about it, because it looks like inviting God into real life. So for the next month or so we’ll be taking another look at the Psalms and examining how they might shape our real, human, spiritual life, and our relationship with God.