Cornerstone Simi Podcast: Recent Episodes
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Cornerstone Simi exists to give every individual an accurate picture of God by helping those who believe become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
Pastors Todd, Christian, and Spencer continue in this podcast with their discussion of God’s purposes in marriage. Last week they discussed the ideal marriage where the character of God is on display for the glory of God. This week’s discussion is focused on the “un-ideal” marriage, where most, if not all, marriages reside. They acknowledge that we live in a broken world, that man alone, apart from God, cannot repair. But through the power of the Holy Spirit restoration is possible and marriages today can indeed display God well to a watching world. Because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of believers, for the first time since Eden, New Testament Christians are able to live out God’s design for marriage. But it can still be messy because we often return to our former ways and live in brokenness instead of freedom. The gentlemen conclude the discussion on the importance of the church’s role in helping and equipping us. You will be both enlightened and encouraged!
Pastors Todd and Christian and fellow scholar Spencer launch this inaugural podcast on our current teaching through the Sermon on the Mount. This is the first podcast in a mini-series on marriage, divorce and remarriage, using Jesus’ teaching as recorded in Matthew. This episode focuses on the ideal marriage as God established in Genesis 2, and that Jesus refers to in Matthew 19. Within the marriage covenant the couple, male and female, have the privilege of displaying to the world particular aspects of God’s character, namely the oneness of God, the Father and Son relationship between God and Jesus, and lastly the nature of the relationship between Christ and His Church. Though none of us do this perfectly in our marriages, you will be greatly encouraged by this discussion and will find hope knowing that God has not changed His mission for marriage, even in the difficult cultural shifts we are experiencing. God’s desire and purposes for marriage will always be timeless and relevant!
Todd introduces this episode by posing the question, “How much do we miss out on by not being available? He goes on to assert that God uses available people not based on our talents or abilities but rather how He desires to use us for Kingdom work. God is looking for people who are willing to reorient their lives to accomplish something that they perhaps don’t even understand, but are willing to be present and available to be on mission with God. Being on mission may require that we relearn what’s important to God and subsequently be willing to live a sacrificial life with dependence on Jesus for instruction, comfort and rest. The pastors conclude this final teaching on Matthew 28:16-20 acknowledging that we don’t have all the answers - this dependency is a process of trusting Jesus to be with us and to teach us how to live!
Thomas Scherer, Cornerstone’s Student Ministry Director, joins Todd and Christian today to discuss the implications of Matthew 28:17 and the Apostles' conflict between worshiping Jesus and doubting His work and call on their lives. We too find ourselves experiencing moments, or even seasons, of doubt because none of us share the vantage point of our all-knowing God. We too wrestle with God when life is hard and unexpected events undermine our confidence in what God is doing. The solution to this doubt is to worship Jesus, keep our focus on Jesus, trust in Jesus, and accept that our doubts are a sign of our weakness, which can be overcome by Jesus! You will be blessed by this insightful conversation between Thomas, Todd, and Christian and find that your confidence will build when you realize that God is always with us and being used by Him for Kingdom work is His idea!!
Todd, Christian, and Spencer begin this podcast with a conversation about what they believed the Apostles actually understood about what Christ was saying when He told them He would be “with you always, to the end of the age”. They discuss that although the Apostles had a lot of illusions from their time with Christ about what was coming, it would not be possible for them to fully understand what the future would hold. Additionally, Jesus was asking them to take on an insurmountable task, to go to all nations, for all time, and to live like Jesus always, and they couldn’t do it without Jesus! And neither can we! Jesus’s statement is meant to empower us to be faithful always, acknowledging that God is with us, has prepared a way ahead of time for us, and we are simply joining Him in the work that He has already begun.
Our pastors cover 2 teachings in this one podcast - discussing both baptism and the command to teach new disciples, all that Jesus taught. They speak of baptism as being initiated into Jesus, and a transition into our new identity. If you’ve ever struggled about being baptized before you have straightened out your life, you will love the guys' candid discussion that will free you to commit to Jesus before you’ve actually “nailed it”. They describe it as “making a promise (now) to work it out with God with a longing to make this promise real (in the future)”. Then they move on to discussing what it means to embrace the teachings of Jesus, which will lead to our allegiance to Christ strengthening over our lifetime with Him.
Continuing in the Summer series on The Great Commission, Todd points out that after Jesus declares His authority over Heaven and Earth, He immediately commands us to “go and make disciples”. But in order to do this we must remember two things - making disciples will not be possible without the power of the Holy Spirit within us and secondly, this command comes, not unexpectedly, but as a result of all the instructions given previously in the book of Matthew. Our pastor’s acknowledge that this is hard but go on to explain how discipleship happens within the local church and among the church body in simple day-to-day activities and relationships. If you are overwhelmed by the prospect of discipleship you will find encouragement and hope in this straightforward discussion.
In this Summer Series on The Great Commission, Todd, Christian, and Spencer focus on Matthew 28:18 where Jesus declares His authority over all things. With Christian taking the lead in the discussion he explains how God uses His power and authority for good in contrast to how our culture frequently uses power and authority wrongly for our own purposes, not the purposes of God. The discussion with Spencer and Todd over the significance that Jesus was “given” His authority connects to God giving authority in the Garden to Adam and Eve before sin enters the world. Quoting from the book, Playing God, by Andy Crouch, Christian explains that like God creating the world, or “making stuff” we too are tasked to create and make things, using our authority or rule to bless the world. Furthermore, like God, who “makes sense” of the world, we too are to please God by helping others make sense of their lives in the context of a holy and righteous Creator. You will find our pastor's discussion both enlightening and motivating to steward your authority and power well!
This inaugural podcast of the Summer ‘22 series on The Great Commission begins with Christian taking the opportunity to introduce us to Matthew 28:16-20. (We encourage you to listen to Christian’s Sunday teaching first as it will enhance your appreciation of this discussion with Todd and Spencer.) The significant emphasis in this particular podcast is on verse 18, where Jesus declares, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” You will appreciate the pastor’s discussion of when Jesus acquired His authority, and the significance it has today in our lives. Also of interest is that Jesus declares His authority before he gives the command to His disciples to go and make disciples! If you experience timidity in your Christian walk you will also greatly appreciate the discussion on verse 20, where Jesus makes a second declaration that “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” In closing this podcast our pastors discuss the implications of these 2 declarations and our allegiance to Christ first and foremost. You will undoubtedly rethink what you’ve previously believed about The Great Commission and this is a great introduction to the new series!
In this final podcast episode on 2 Thessalonians, Todd, Christian and Spencer discuss the Apostle Paul’s final words to the church in Thessalonica. Paul encourages the young believers to not “grow weary in doing good” but remarkably part of “doing good” is confronting others in the family of God, not in condemnation, but rather in love, to live out their identity in Christ as an image bearer of God. Todd reminds us of the 6 characteristics of good confrontation and our pastors emphasize the point that this practice should be commonplace and normative in the Christian experience. They even make a bold statement that confrontation should be done often enough that it becomes life-giving and even joyful. Listen in on their insightful discussion and consider the implications of confrontation done well in your own life.
Cornerstone Elder Dan Lovejoy joins Todd and Christian this week for a discussion on 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12. Noting that the apostle Paul uses the word “command” three times in these 7 verses, Dan points out that this is really important, what Paul is telling them (and us), and we need to pay attention. Their discussion continues about the importance of work, and that God works, work was a gift in the Garden of Eden, and we will actually also work in Heaven in the new creation. And if you ever used the command, “if you don't work, you don't eat”, out of context you will really enjoy this lively discussion on what this instruction really means. Although this is a lengthy podcast you will benefit greatly by its content and it will shape your thinking to a more biblical approach to work, brotherhood, and working to the glory of God.
This week’s podcast covers the teaching from 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 with our Executive Pastor, Mike Steinwender taking the lead in the discussion with Todd and Christian. These 5 verses include Paul’s heartfelt plea for the believers to pray for him and Silas and Timothy as they continue preaching the truth of Jesus Christ as they did when they visited Thessalonica. Paul goes on to encourage them to remain steadfast in Christ in their suffering, and to remember the faithfulness of God and His provision and protection from evil men. Mike reminds us of Paul’s later teaching in I Corthinians 10:13 (which we have the blessing of knowing) where we are promised that no amount of temptation can overtake us and that God is always faithful and will provide a way of escape so that we can endure the trial. The pastors conclude this podcast with a raw and honest discussion about the acceptability of asking God for our suffering to end, but also realizing the transformative work of God often happens during intense trials. Quoting Paul’s remarks in I Corinthians 16:8-9 where he explains that he will stay in Ephesus… “for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries”, suggesting to us that the best opportunities to spread the gospel are often accompanied by strong opposition. We need not be dismayed but rather proceed courageously knowing God is always faithful!
In this week’s podcast, Bob Kreycik joins Todd and Christian in a discussion on 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17. Bob reminds us that this letter from Paul is addressed to young, first-generation Christians that are struggling in their faith and are under persecution. Bob focuses on verse 13, assuring them (and us) that God chose them to believe in the saving work of Christ and that their sanctification will come through the Spirit and their belief in the truth. The men then link this truth to the Old Testament promise that God would choose a people for Himself, and for His glory. For the Bible nerds listening, you will love the discussion on “firstfruits”. They conclude the podcast with encouragement that the truth of eternity with Christ in our future, will help us persevere through the trials we face now.
This interview with Shannon Sergey, founder of Forever Found, is at times deeply theological, sometimes hilariously funny, and often deeply moving. Todd Nighswonger and Billy Kappen interview Shannon as part of a new series with Cornerstone’s ministry partners. Shannon shares some personal details of her life and also the inspiration behind her fight for the marginalized, poor and oppressed. With biblical clarity she calls us to faithfulness in having a heart for those who God calls out in scripture for special care and affection. You will be both convicted and inspired by her testimony and pursuit of freedom for the afflicted.
Today’s podcast is from 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12 and this week Christian asks the question, “why is it important that we understand both the coming judgment of God and also the impending glory of God?” With Todd and Spencer joining the conversation the pastors help us see that these two realities are two sides of the same coin. For those who embrace the truth of scripture, they will see and revel in the glory of God. But for those who refuse the truth of who Jesus is, they will only see destruction and judgment. As difficult as this is for us to understand, our pastors walk us through scripture and help us trust God with the outcomes at the second coming of Christ. They also encourage us to have the mind of Christ toward those who are lost and what our appropriate response should be in seeking their reconciliation with God.
This podcast begins a new teaching series on 2 Thessalonians. Christian takes the lead in the conversation discussing just the first 5 verses in Paul’s letter. But these critical verses set the tone for the entire letter as Paul assures these newer followers of Christ that their suffering is not because they missed the second coming of Christ but rather evidence that they are indeed growing in faith and love and are walking in a manner worthy of the Kingdom of God. Pastors Todd and Spencer join Christian in an insightful discussion of what it means to live rightly in an “upside-down Kingdom” in contrast to our American culture of power-seeking and independent living. You will surely be challenged to rethink what it means for us to live as servants of the eternal King!
This episode of the Beyond Sunday Podcast is the final one in the study of I Thessalonians and Todd, Christian and Spencer discuss the passage found in Chapter 5, verses 19-22. Where last week the pastors discussed verses 16-18, where we, the Church is speaking to God, in the passage this week, God is speaking to His Church. Todd emphasizes that God has always wanted to speak to His people, and He often does it through prophets in the Old Testament and specifically Moses, who is directed to communicate the will and heart of God. The pastor’s conversation continues by defining 4 main roles and functions of prophecy - to correct, protect, remind and comfort God’s people. The discussion concludes with a lively exchange about whether prophecy continues today or if it ceased long ago - you’ll be encouraged as you listen in, and perhaps surprised by the grace expressed by our leaders!
In this special Easter podcast, Todd, Spencer and Christian expand our understanding of the ramifications of Christ’s death and resurrection. Spencer reminds us of the account in Genesis 3 where mankind is devastated and we must now live with the consequences of our rebellion against God, but he then goes on to explain that Jesus not only conquered death and sin, but also overcame our guilt, shame and fear. Jesus forever bore the debt we owed to give the honor due to God. God is always trying to bring His goodness to bear on our lives, and it is through Jesus, that He redeems and conquers to bring restoration to all things and display His Kingship. Yes, we rightly claim Jesus as our Savior but we must not forget that He is also King and this is the culmination of the Good News! To conclude this podcast the pastors help us understand the responsibility we now hold to share this Good News to expand the Kingdom and bring freedom to our desperate world.
Our pastors, Todd, Christian, and Spencer, focus this week’s podcast on I Thessalonians 5:16-18. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Todd boldly proclaims that “we’ll never be the church as God intended unless we are doing this together”! These instructions from Paul are meant to be a “y’all” reality, where something special would happen when we are all together in rejoicing, praying and offering thanks to God. These instructions are both descriptive and prescriptive for the Church and are also both normative and transformative in the life of believers! Listen in as the trio discusses how this is happening in the local church, Cornerstone!
Continuing on in I Thessalonians, this week and next week Todd walks us through Chapter 5, verses 12-28. In this podcast, Todd, Spencer, and Christian focus their attention on helping us understand how we collectively, as Christ-followers, are to live in order to make a name for God and influence a watching world for His Glory. Beginning with encouraging one another and building one another up, and moving on to respecting the leadership God has established over us, the pastors remind us that this posture is radically different than the way the world in general operates. Ours is an “upside-down kingdom”, where servant leadership is honored and expected. Our pastors continue in a great discussion on verse 14, elaborating on what it means to “admonish the idle, encourage the faint-hearted and help the weak… all while being patient”. And when this is difficult and confusing, it is God Himself who works in and among us and through us to bring about His intended purpose for our lives. Enjoy this lively and confessional podcast as we near the end of our time in I Thessalonians!
This week’s episode features a vulnerable and transparent discussion with 3 women from our Cornerstone family around the topic of sexual brokenness. Lisa, Val and Robin each discuss aspects of their own sexual brokenness in the context of our pastor’s teaching in I Thessalonians 4:1-5, where Paul instructs us to “abstain from sexual immorality”. Although each woman’s story is different, each of them experienced the redemptive work of God that allowed them to flourish and be transformed, in spite of their brokenness, to honor God and display Him well. This episode includes sensitive and personal information and is not recommended for children. Please be cautious when listening if small children are present. Our prayer is that you will be blessed by this discussion and that you too will seek assistance if you are suffering in this area of your life.
As we near the end of the sermon series on I Thessalonians, Todd, Christian, and Spencer recap where we’ve been and then discuss Paul’s final instructions to the first-century believers. Paul clearly wants to reassure these believers that those who have died prior to the Second Coming of Christ are secure in their salvation and are not destined for wrath. But just as important is what we are still called to do while we wait for Christ’s return or our own home-going. Paul instructs us too to live in readiness and with preparedness for what is coming, even though we don’t know the time of Christ’s return, and we are to live and model Christ’s example, walking day by day in the character of Jesus. The pastors discuss the importance of encouraging one another and building up other believers in the faith, even in suffering and turmoil. This recording is such an encouragement at this particular time considering the current upheaval in our world. Listen closely and be encouraged!
Friend and bible scholar Bob Kreycik joins Todd and Christian this week to explain the meaning behind the phrase, Day of the Lord. Used multiple times in the Old Testament, we find it again in this week’s New Testament passage in I Thessalonians 5:1-3. Bob helps us understand that this reference in Paul’s letter is largely dependent on also understanding the OT references. The Day of the Lord is always spoken in reference to a day of judgment, including a literal physical judgment, a judgment by God towards those who have harmed His chosen people, for which He has great concern and protects. This introduction to the last chapter of I Thessalonians is a continual encouragement and comfort to all believers that all evil will be punished and ultimately vanquished.
This week Todd, Christian, and Spencer discuss at length the significance of the death and resurrection of Christ from the viewpoint of the believers in Thessalonica with their Roman-Greco understanding of death. Using I Thessalonians 4:13-18 as their text, the pastors explain how radical the resurrection of Jesus was to these young believers and that they too would one day be resurrected and join Jesus, and the promise (found in verse 17) that they would forever be with Him. The Apostle Paul speaks to these believers in a way that they can understand and he encourages them and instructs us to do the same in our time and context.
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This week’s episode with Todd, Christian and Spencer returns to the passage in I Thessalonians 4:1-8 where Paul instructs us how we are to walk with God which includes to “abstain from sexual immorality”. Those unfamiliar with the concept of Scripture being a Story that God is writing from eternity past to eternity future will particularly benefit from listening to this episode. The pastors recount the beginning of the story in Genesis, with man and woman living in perfection, then the entrance of sin (Genesis 3) and the devastation that sin has brought to mankind. But in God’s grace He brought redemption through the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus which gives us hope for a return to perfection in all things in the new creation. One of the most significant segments of this episode is the discussion of our principal identity - that of being created in the image of God - and not our sexuality. First and foremost, the “most central aspect of humanity is that we were made in His image, we have a responsibility to rule in partnership with Him and we are to put Him on display”, and this includes the choices we make in our expression of our own sexuality.
This week’s episode continues on the theme of holiness in a discussion with Todd, Christian and Spencer. But in this discussion they narrow their focus to the topic of sexual integrity and what it looks like to walk, or conduct oneself, to please God. In I Thessalonians 4:1-8, Paul instructs the believers to “abstain from sexual immorality…to control his own body in holiness and honor… and not to wrong his brother”... but what does this really mean? And how do we live this out in our current culture? The pastors gently and honorably discuss the nuances of today’s culture and the challenges we each face in striving to display God well to an unbelieving world. They engage in a fascinating discussion about what it means to steward our sexuality as a person who is created in the image of God. This is part two of an on-going discussion that you will find inspiring and life-giving!
Todd opens this week’s podcast discussion with Christian and Spencer with the question, “Why is the topic of holiness important?” Christian responds by explaining that our culture is largely egalitarian without an emphasis on class distinctions, so naturally it is difficult for us to fully understand the biblical definition of holiness, to be those who are “set apart” for God’s glory and purposes. But in reality, from Creation forward, mankind was always created in the image of God and consequently those He “set apart” were called to display God well and to be a people who He uses to bless the nations of the world. Using I Thessalonians 4:1-8 as their text, our pastors go on to explain that it is God’s will that we be sanctified, or set apart for holiness, but that this is a life-long process in the present day, but at the return of Christ our sanctification will be perfected! Using the geographic illustration of the city of Jerusalem, the pastors go on to explain what God meant by living “in” the world as a people set apart, and yet not being “of” the world and living out distortions of God’s design. This episode is a terrific introduction to the topic of sexual integrity within the confines of holy living which is discussed in the next episode.
Todd, Christian, and Spencer conclude their discussion on biblical boldness in this final episode on the topic. Using the text from I Thessalonians 2:17 - 3:13 they again emphasize the difference between our common view of boldness and the biblical example of Paul and the believers in Thessalonica. For them, their boldness was a reflection of their total hope and dependence on Jesus Christ and His promised return and ability to bring justice to their suffering. Although this will never be “natural” for us our pastors teach us that we too can forgo the world’s way of being bold because Christ is on the throne!
Have you ever thought that you can actually be bold by living out of your weakness? In today’s podcast with Todd, Christian, and Spencer they discuss this reality using the text in I Thessalonians 2:13-16. Again using the family as a backdrop, the Apostle Paul is encouraging the believers as their brother, that they actually can boldly proclaim the gospel out of their weakness and suffering. And not only speak the gospel but also live it out so that God is glorified through their lives. Remarkably, Spencer states that “suffering is a legitimate means of advancing the gospel”. Though Todd and Christian also agree that this posture does not come naturally! Listen in on this dynamic conversation, and consider how this truth can change the way you live for Christ.
In this week's episode of Beyond Sunday, Todd, Christian and Spencer continue their conversation through the book of I Thessalonians, specifically Chapter 2, verses 1-12. Christian takes the lead in this discussion by redefining what is meant by Paul’s boldness and he helps us see that Paul’s actions are always motivated by love for his brothers and sisters in Christ and that this is reflected by his openness and vulnerability with them. Paul teaches them (and us) that the gospel is spread through both our words and our lifestyles and that our aim is to always put God on display well!
This second episode on the series teaching on I Thessalonians has Paul recounting the "Work of Faith, the Labor of Love, and the Steadfast Hope" the believers in Thessalonica displayed and the impact they had on all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia and territories beyond their knowledge. You too will be encouraged that in spite of affliction, you can turn away from idols and worship the living and true God and have a profound impact on the world. Pastors Todd and Christian, along with Spencer have a great conversation that will surely be an encouragement to you in this challenging season!
We begin a new series this week on I Thessalonians with Pastor Todd Nighswonger, Pastor Christian Burkhardt, and Eternity Bible College President Spencer MacCuish. This first podcast zeros in on the extraordinary work of Christ and the reality of His presence at the right hand of God. The ramifications of this reality can not be missed if we are to understand the context of Paul's letter, and for us to embrace the hope we have in Christ alone. Enjoy this new series as we delve into our identity and the role we plan in Kingdom work!
In the final podcast episode in the series, Thinking Rightly in a Broken World, Christian encourages us by looking at Jesus. He reminds us that the Spirit of God transforms us through the Word of God and the people of God, and those two realities come together in the Person of Jesus Christ. He goes even further to say that Jesus came as God, communicating Himself to us to give us understanding so that we might know Him and be united in Him, and to bring us back to a position of total dependence on Him, fully trusting Him and living as God created us, to use our minds and think rightly!
We've learned in previous episodes in the series, "Thinking Rightly in a Broken World", that we can't help but think wrongly because we are born in a sinful state and our minds are corrupted because of the curse as the result of the sin that occurred in Genesis 3. But in this exciting episode, Todd, Christian, and Spencer explain that the people of God are undoing the curse! By living according to the Word of God and by the power of the Holy Spirit, the people of God can collectively display the glory of God to a watching world and live as God always intended!
This Bonus episode is in response to another listener's question about how Todd, Christian, and Spencer enjoy God's Word and how they individually read, study and meditate on scripture as a regular practice. You will be encouraged greatly by the simplicity of their answers and the surprising ways they engage the Word to influence their walk with Jesus! Enjoy!
As we near the end of the series, Thinking Rightly in a Broken World, Christian takes the lead in this discussion on the necessity of knowing the Word of God which enables us to think rightly. Todd and Spencer join in an agreement calling the Word of God essential and stating that God created us to learn in partnership with Him, largely through learning His Word. The Word of God becomes the "lens" that allows us to see and think rightly and to expose those ways we think wrongly. Even if you have not listened to the previous podcasts in this series you will benefit greatly from the particular episode!
In answering a listener's question, Todd, Christian, and Spencer address the challenge of walking in the Spirit and why the sacrifices are worth it. Using John 17 as their text they help us know that it is through this struggle that we flourish and thrive because we can experience a foretaste of knowing God; that we can be one with God and His people, we can experience peace and know that we are doing what we are created for and live in conformity to Christ.
Continuing in the sermon series, "Thinking Rightly in a Broken World", this episode of Beyond Sunday focuses on Paul's teaching in I Corinthians 2:6-16 where he explains that God reveals to us the spiritual things of this world through His Spirit, and apart from the Spirit of God we can not understand. Todd, Spencer, and Christian have a lively discussion on the topic explaining the confidence we can have that we too can have the mind of Christ (v16), through the Spirit of God, which will equip us to think rightly. But the challenge of doing this will be messy and difficult and will require that we die to ourselves and no longer live for ourselves!
This week's podcast with Todd, Spencer and Christian is a continuation in the sermon series, Thinking Rightly in a Broken World. Reminding us that we've been "broken" since birth, we have always needed to be transformed. So by default we already exist and think in conformity to the world. But Romans 12:1-2 instructs us to be transformed by the renewal of our minds - but first we need to acknowledge our current condition and the need for God's intervention to restore His intent for us. To live in dependence on Him, with limited knowledge, and walking in a trust-filled relationship with Him which will result in a life that flourishes!
This week’s podcast is the second in the sermon series, Thinking Rightly in a Broken World, and joining Todd Nighswonger and Spencer MacCuish is Cornerstone pastor and Elder, Christian Burkhardt. This week’s focus is understanding what it means to think rightly, beginning in the Garden of Eden before sin entered the mind of mankind, and how sin now distorts our ability to think rightly. They further discuss the role of the Holy Spirit to help us know, understand and discern the will of God in spite of the distortion of sin. Join us in this ongoing frank discussion of how difficult this is but the hope we have in God to give us the mind of Christ as He declares possible in 1 Corinthians 2:16.
Welcome to The Beyond Sunday podcast from Cornerstone Church, Simi Valley. This conversation between Lead Pastor Todd Nighswonger and Eternity Bible College President Spencer MacCuish is the first in a new series, Thinking Rightly in a Broken World. They begin unfolding the human dilemma of thinking rightly in a confusing and often offensive world using the biblical text of Romans 12:1-2, where Paul calls us to stop being conformed to the thinking of this world and instead to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we can discern the will of God. Their intriguing conversation concludes with the admission that "this is hard" and will require us to give God our whole selves as a "living sacrifice" to fully know His will. This 7 part series will both inspire and challenge you to live in dependence on God, and to flourish as He intended!
Todd Nighswonger and Spencer MacCuish continue guiding us through I Peter, Chapter 1, on the matter of our identity, but specifically, our "primary" identity as given to us by God Himself, namely as "elect exiles". It is through this unique identity that we are to be like mirrors, reflecting God's mercy and grace to the world. They go on to discuss specific practices Peter writes in verses 13-22 that guide us as we mature together as the body of Christ, enabling us to accurately reflect God the Father.
In this inaugural episode Todd Nighswonger and Spencer MacCuish begin their conversation on the topic of "identity", asking the questions, who am I and what am I to do? Using the text from I Peter 1: 1-2, Todd and Spencer walk us through what it means to live in this culture, at this time, as "elect exiles". They go on to discuss our primary identity as Christ-followers and the competing secondary identities that cause us to fail to live out the mission that God has assigned to us, his people.