Cornerstone Message Podcast: Recent Episodes
Cornerstone Community Church
Weekly messages plus occasional bonus content from Cornerstone Community Church in Concord, New Hampshire. www.CornerstoneNH.org
As Jesus followers, how should our speech be different from the norm? What should be the intent and effect when we open our mouths?
Does it matter what I believe, really? Is one just as good as any other, or do different creedal convictions lead to different real-world outcomes? This week we’ll begin a new series dissecting the Apostles’ Creed, the oldest statement of faith in Christianity (outside of the Scriptures themselves). You will gain a fresh understanding and appreciation of your faith, see why it matters, and how each element of your faith shapes and directs your life.
Most of us have at least a vague idea of what we want our lives to look like. Things like good relationships, meaningful & fulfilling work, etc. But do you know how to get from here to there? Do you ever feel stuck, or unable to get traction? There are answers to these questions and more. And they are the focus of today’s message.
Get a simple, understandable, and applicable definition of forgiveness, directly from Jesus’ teaching, that clears up the confusion and will give you the ability to move forward, knowing what to do to forgive and understanding how to know if you have forgiven.
What’s my reason for waking up in the morning?Identifying your own clear sense of purpose, an aim, a reason for being, clarifies and focuses your life. It can alter your state from frustration to fulfillment. Get your reason for rising right, and your days will burst with purpose and possibilities.
We put a lot of effort into building the things that make up our lives: relationships, careers, accomplishments, goals, etc. But how will you know if you’re succeeding? What defines a win? Today’s message is chocked full of God-revealed, life-altering ideas from God’s Word that can transform the way you think about “winning”—at church, in your relationships, and at life.
In this new series, we’ll encounter God-revealed, life-altering ideas from God’s Word that will change your perspective and change your life. We begin with a question you can ask in virtually any circumstance that will clear away the fog and give you clarity in your decision-making.
See how the big idea of the Sermon on the Mount can serve as a focus point for the self-examination that is prescribed for communion. And we’ll celebrate communion together of course.
Everyone encounters storms. What is the difference between those who weather the storms and survive—and even thrive—and those who don't? In the final message of the Sermon on the Mount series we'll see that there are good reasons to listen to Jesus, but listening is only part of the solution.
Ever been taken in by a person or idea that seemed true but proved false? Someone who appears good and says all the right things, only to find out later that it was an act. As Jesus is wrapping up the Sermon on the Mount, he tells us we could completely miss out on what God has for us unless we know what to look for to reveal whether someone is on the up and up. Know how to avoid falling into the trap of deception others lay for us, or unwittingly deceiving ourselves!
What options does Jesus offer? In the beginning of the conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus lays out in stark contrast the choice he is presenting to us.
Ever had a prayer go unanswered? A need go unmet? Wondered what was going on there? While we're encouraged to ask God for everything, our past experiences of unanswered prayers erode our confidence...and perseverance. Get Jesus' answer to getting prayers answered, and discover it's a lot more about the who than the what.
Ever had a bomb go off in a relationship? Wondering what you could have done to prevent it? You can avoid the pitfalls and instead prompt the kind of response you're hoping for if you'll take Jesus' advice, embrace tact, and adjust your tack.
Do you really want to miss out on this moment? Following Jesus means being used by Jesus to accomplish things you could never do apart from Jesus. But you'll never know the rush of being God's hands, feet, or mouthpiece in the life of another...unless you make yourself available to Jesus. You'll hear the why behind the what of serving in church and see how being a part of the team is not only a necessity for a follower of Jesus but one of life's greatest joys.
Parenting can be messy. We'd like direction and guarantees, but there's often too much of the former to sort through and too few of the later to depend upon. Get meaningful direction without meaningless guarantees, alleviate guilt, and get to know your Heavenly Father better. Come on a journey as we explore what it means to dedicate our children and ourselves as parents to the Lord.
We've all experienced setbacks. Lost weight regained. An "A+" on one test followed by a "D" that pulls our grade down. A relationship that seems to be improved that goes off the rails...again. Our spiritual life can sometimes follow the same pattern. Wouldn't it be nice to know that some gains realized can never be lost? This weekend's edition of "Moments" will encourage you as we explore the gains that can never be lost once someone becomes a follower of Jesus.
"You've made your bed, now lie in it!" — If you've heard this saying before, you probably know that it highlights the truth that we often must live with the consequences of our past, sometimes poor, decisions. But what if this truth was encouraging instead of depressing? What if you had made small decisions in the past that would reap disproportionate rewards in your life today? See how a few, select decisions you can make today will reap disproportionate benefits for all your tomorrows. We'll tell you what those "Make Your Bed" decisions are in part four of "Moments."
The day the sound board died! Our apologies for the less than ideal sound quality, but the message still comes through loud and clear: God grants fresh starts every day! You can turn the page on the past. Find out how.
Wish that you could set right what's gone wrong? Regardless of what people believe about Jesus, it's pretty clear he believed that God was setting what was wrong in the world right through him. In part two of the new series, "Moments," we'll see how God's plan to set things right through Jesus continues with the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost after the resurrection.
Do you struggle to understand or explain troubling passages in the Bible about women? Does the Bible promote and perpetuate an oppressive patriarchy? An anachronistic and destructive misogyny? Here are answers to the questions you (or at least your friends & family) have about women and the Bible. It just may prove to be a defining moment in your life.
Wouldn't it be nice if there was one thing you could do that would guarantee you would follow through on your good intentions? The good news is that there is! And we apply it to one of the most impactful areas of life, your finances, in the finale of the Money on the Mount series! You can make good stewardship (and a bunch of other good stuff) "automatic," if you apply the principle from this message.
"How do I manage what I have now to maximize what I’ll have later?" We ask ourselves this with our health, our time, our relationships, and yes, even our money. In this weekend's Scripture, Jesus makes several practical applications that can be immediately applied to life to make life better, make us better at life, and bring glory to God in the process. And, as usual with Jesus, some of it is really counterintuitive and surprising! You can get a good return on your "investments," but the key just may be not how much, but how.
In this week's Scripture passage, we'll look at one of Jesus' most controversial parables, in which a dishonest manager gets fired for his poor money management...and ends up being the hero of Jesus' story! What makes this guy who was bad at money good at money in Jesus' eyes? And what lesson does it have for us?
Jesus has told us previously in the Sermon on the Mount to "Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow." Did he really mean that? Is it even realistic? Certainly we'd all like to help those in need when we encounter them, support worthy causes, and in general make a positive difference in our community and world—loving God by loving our neighbor. But we're also bound to wonder, if I lived like this, could I still live? In this week's episode of Money on the Mount, we'll explore the number one reason people don't live like this: worry. And we'll find out exactly why worry is against our religion!
Money mismanagement messes up marriages, hopes, and moments. But it doesn't have to be that way. We can get good at money, and a core section of the Sermon on the Mount is dedicated to that topic. In this first message of the series, Jesus bursts into the topic with three explosive, uncomfortable truths about money that expose not just our relationship with money, but what it tells us about who we are. Find out what he says and what it says about us in "Treasure."
Why is the Gospel story, in which the Resurrection is the culminating event, Good News? And is it just a story? After all, how many people that you know who have died and then sprung back to life on the third day? So is our core belief believable? And if so, what makes it such good news? In this message Pastor Brian tackles these crucial questions and see how the reality of Resurrection can change your life dramatically, for the better!
Is it possible to feel God's absence, even when he is near and at work? In this Good Friday meditation Pastor Brian focuses on the darkness that fell while Jesus was on the cross. Does the darkness in our lives mean God's absence and abandonment?
Have you ever adjusted your behavior because of the crowd you're in? Why? It's only natural to want to be thought well of by others, but what's the line between authenticity and image management? In today's section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shows us how to uncover our true motivations for what we do, change our methods if necessary, and in the process enjoy the rich reward of deeper fellowship with our Heavenly Father.
Ever notice that it's much easier to like people like you who like you? But Jesus presents a different standard: "Love your enemies." Jesus prescribes taking our cue not from what is easy or common, but from the heavenly Father, who "sends his rain on the just and the unjust alike." Sound difficult? It just may be impossible, but for one bit of Good News...
"Life isn't fair!" Ever heard that one or felt it deeply before? We all have. Yet there's something inside all of us that longs for justice, even in a world full of unearned injuries. Is it possible to be at peace and ensure justice in an unfair world? In this week's message in the Sermon on the Mount series, Jesus presents an alternative to tooth-pulling paybacks, and eye-gouging retaliation. In the Kingdom of God which Jesus initiated paybacks can become blessings, and contagious generosity can displace cascading violence. Find out how.
Want to destroy a relationship as quickly and as completely as possible? Introduce dishonesty, distrust, and unfaithfulness into the equation. Why is that? Because trust is the currency and foundation of every relationship. Build trust, and you've got a solid foundation and relationship. Erode it, and the whole thing will come down in sinking sand. In today's passage in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus presents the solution to a world full of conflicting messages, manipulative lies, and shady characters. His kingdom will be made up of people with absolute integrity.
Many inside and outside of the church have wondered if the Biblical sexual ethic is right, realistic, or fair. Even committed Jesus-followers can harbor doubts and guilty consciences when this topic arises. Clear up the confusion and your conscience as we face up to the realities of the power of sex, the nature of the marriage, and the hope provided by the cross. Get real and get ready to experience the ideal in part six of the Sermon on the Mount.
How do I break the patterns that lead to broken relationships? If you've ever said something you regret, let your anger, rage, or fear make you do or say something that you wish you hadn't, there's good news. You can move from being controlled by your fear and anger to having your emotions under control. You can move from being a rage monster to being at peace with yourself and the world. Jesus taught us how, and it's all in part five of the Sermon on the Mount series today.
What is our relationship to the Old Testament laws for us as followers of Jesus? Confused by the apparent conflict in the Bible between Jesus' teaching that seems to set aside the OT law, and this passage in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus ramps up the call to observe and teach every "jot and tittle" (What are those, anyway?) in the law? Don't settle for dead religion observed out of obligation; instead experience a vibrant relationship with your Creator God. It's all in "Full Filled," part four of the Sermon on the Mount series.
What is the point of you? For Jesus' followers, he makes our point very clear. In Part Three of the Sermon on the Mount Series, we'll unpack the images of salt and light that Jesus uses to illustrate who we are and how we are to impact our world. Are you made of the stuff that changes the world?
What does the God-blessed life look like? This weekend we continue the new message series exploring Jesus' most famous teaching, The Sermon on the Mount. In this famous opening segment, Jesus describes what the typical citizen in God's kingdom looks like, and it shocks and surprises. It's good news for the downtrodden and outsiders, but counter-cultural to some of Jesus' followers even today. Most of us have heard the words before, but have we adopted the values they represent?
This first message in the Sermon on the Mount series provides the pivotal point of view that helps you understand the whole Sermon, and eliminate the two most common and tragic pitfalls of religious practice.
At the beginning of the year, our congregation was asked what topics they wanted to hear about. There were multiple responses related to what is currently going on in Israel, so in this message, we explore how we are to understand & respond to current events—there and elsewhere—in light of Scripture.
Hear about Jon & Mayson's first year as Cross-Cultural Interns in Portugal! Why is there a need for missionaries in Portugal? What have they been doing? How is your support helping?
Enter your next season of life with your faith bolstered and your hope high! In multiple places in the Bible, God gives people a particular practice that helps them look back with gratitude for the past and look forward to the future in hope. In this week's message we'll look at one such instance and apply the lesson to our own lives so that you can move forward with a strengthened faith, an encouraged heart, and a confident spirit.
When safety & security are uncertain, where can you turn for help? For our Christmas Eve morning celebration we're looking at the prophetic promise of "God With Us," fulfilled when Jesus showed up on that first Christmas day.
Can you do well even when things aren’t going well? In this week's concluding episode of In It Together, we'll explore a passage in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippian church that unlocks the secret of contentment in any and every circumstance.
Is it possible to experience "peace on earth and good will toward man" in today's anxiety producing world and fragmented culture? In this episode of In It Together, we'll explore a passage in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippian church that maps out the path to peace in our relationship with others, among ourselves, and perhaps most importantly, in ourselves. What does it mean to know the God of peace and how can you experience the peace of God? You'll see in "Prince of Peace."
Is the path you’re on taking you where you want to go? In this week's episode of In It Together, we'll explore a passage in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippian church that outlines two contrasting paths, living as an enemy of the cross or as a citizen of heaven. Being an enemy of the cross is probably not what you think, and living as a citizen of heaven is probably better—and more accessible—than you would guess. It's your direction, not your intention, that will determine your destination, so make sure the path you're on takes you where you want to go!
Where do you stand with God? Is your faith strong? Is your conscience clear? In this episode of In It Together, we'll explore a passage in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippian church designed to safeguard their faith against derailing dangers that would shipwreck their faith and pervert the Gospel. These same dangers face us today, but they can be derailed...it all comes down to where your confidence lies.
Ever feel like you're in it...alone? Going through something? Trying to accomplish something? You weren't designed to go it alone. We can accomplish more together than we can apart. And those that are in the arena have a lot more fun than those watching from the stands. In this week's episode of In It Together, we'll see how even the Apostle Paul depended upon his coworkers to accomplish his mission. And in the process we'll discover how to breathe new life into our own spiritual journey.
Why is it that there's too often so little difference between the way believers act and approach life compared to their unbelieving friends and neighbors? As we study through the New Testament letter from the Apostle Paul to the Philippian church, we see Paul presenting a vision of what it looks like to be a full-fledged and fully-committed citizen of God's kingdom while living in an outpost of the Roman empire. What is standard conduct for those who rally around the standard of Christ? See how following Jesus makes a real difference in this week's episode of In It Together.
We'd all like to know we're making progress. We don't like making the same mistakes twice. We want nagging problems solved. We want challenging relationships to get better. But how can I be certain that I will keep growing, keep on making progress, and that good outcomes and fresh starts are in my future? When the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the church he founded in the Roman Colony of Philippi, he had every confidence that the hopeful start he had witnessed would carry on right through to the end. What gave him that confidence? Can we share in that confidence for our own lives?
The Apostle Paul and the churches he founded often encountered opposition. Philippi, a Roman colony in Greece, was no exception. Small in number, sailing against the prevailing cultural winds, and seen as a threat more than a help, the church at Philippi seemed to be in a perilous situation. Paul himself, the congregation's founder, was away and imprisoned because of the Gospel. But in spite of all this, he writes them a letter full of encouragement and joy. Paul found plenty of reasons to rejoice because he and the Philippians were joined together with Christ in the Gospel, and thus had purpose, provision, and partners for life. During this series this fall, you too will discover the joy and camaraderie of being in it together!
It's possible to show up at a church of any size, even a small one, and get lost in the crowd. Nothing is more discouraging than being surrounded by people and feeling alone. But it doesn't have to be that way. Most likely it's a misunderstanding: looking for connection in all the wrong places. What is the context for connection?
Many people come to church hoping to find fellowship and friendship. But even in a small church, not everyone has a lot in common, and those things we share, our common ground, are the usual foundation for relationships. So how does a diverse group become close knit?
Pastor David Denis of our On Site host church, United Baptist, updates us on the story of why ownership of the building is transferring from United Baptist Church to Restoration Foursquare Church. These two of four of the congregations meeting at our location have been talking about this for a while and it's becoming official in October. Practically speaking it means that you'll notice some upgrades and improvements around the building in the future and most importantly it hopefully secures this site for Kingdom of God purposes into the next generation.
You can get skilled at putting things right! Relationships are not always smooth sailing. But if our relationship is on the rocks, can anything be done? There are principles and steps that can set your 'ship right. Learn them and you'll be Master & Commander at putting things right.
Is it possible to miss how God is at work in the lives of the people around us? Sometimes we miss out on the friendships God has for us or the ways God wants to work through us in the lives of our friends because we don't know what to look for, or understand what God has done for us. Stay on target and stay on mission (and see how communion ties in to it all). What you're looking for may be right in front of you!
Are you happy with the number and health of your friendships? What makes for good friends and good friendships, at church and elsewhere? Make more friends and have better friendships: make a connection during the Praxis: Grow series.
How can money become a source of joy rather than stress? In this episode of Praxis: Go, Brian highlights three habits that can change the way you relate to money to make your life better and make you better at life.
There's more to do and needs to be done than we have time or resources to do. So how can we go from the frustration of seeing unmet needs everywhere we look to the satisfaction of seeing needs met everywhere we go? In this episode of "Go" we'll see God's plan to overwhelm the needs in our world with his overwhelming provision.
No doubt you've faced situations where you want to help, but don't feel like you have what is needed to make a difference. What if what keeps us from doing as much good as we'd like to do is not our limited resources but our limited understanding?
Ever wonder what makes a church really flourish? In the Scriptures, a church that is "healthy and growing and full of love" is one where "each part does its own special work." (Ephesians 4:16 NLT) Imagine a church where everyone has a role to play and plays their part. That's a church that's enjoyable and effective!
How can you keep from sabotaging yourself? There are lots of ways people get in their own way, but most of us don't realize how we hamstring ourselves with what we tell ourselves. What if you stopped lying to yourself for even one week?
How do you keep from stalling out on your spiritual journey? The answer is ancient and effective. Discover the reasons why worshipping together weekly has been the practice of people pursuing God since the beginning.
Olivia tells us about her just-completed mission trip to South Africa by highlighting some impactful moments.
How can I make the sabbath “work”? Is it really possible to make time for rest and worship in our world even with our schedules and responsibilities? In this message you'll see how beneficial and workable a sabbath really is. And we’ll see once again how the Sabbath points to Jesus as an ongoing reminder of his kingdom and kingship. You can observe a sabbath, and reap the benefits of it!
Is the sabbath—a day set aside for rest and worship—relevant or even practical today? In this foundational message, you'll see how the sabbath principle from its inception reminds of of our relationship to God, is re-envisioned by the resurrection of Jesus, and even today pictures our redemption story.
What are your "must haves"? And what will you do if you can't have them? In this inspiring message highlighting the benefits and results of daily communing with God, you'll see how to be okay even when your plans don't go according to plan.
Sometimes the right tool makes all the difference. You may feel like you're not making progress like you should in your spiritual development, but perhaps you just need a tool to keep you on track. This episode of Praxis presents you with tools that can help you commune with God more regularly and consistently.
Get stuck, distracted, or doubtful when you go to pray? Perhaps you need a pattern to prompt your prayers. In this message, we'll see how Scripture, and in particular the Lord's Prayer, can serve as a pattern to prompt your prayers.
Can you relate to any of these barriers to prayer? "I don’t know if I’ll be any good." "I don’t know if it will do any good." "I don’t know if the answer will be any good." In Luke 11, Jesus addresses each of these hinderances to prayer, and once he does, even if you don't get praying, you just may get praying after today!
Why do some who follow Jesus still seem to be burdened by a load of guilt, and struggle to get free from the sins that cause it? It could be that the practice we're focusing on this episode is missing. Add it, and get free!
How do I let God guide my life? Get the practical plan that will show you just how to turn God's good intentions towards us into the script for our lives.
The Drip Kit // Praxis Part Three (Sunday, May 21 On Site & Online)—Why doesn’t the Bible make sense sometimes? The Bible can be confusing . It's literature from a different time, place, and culture. But if you have the right tools for the job, you can rewrite the next chapter of your life. If you've been reading the Bible forever, or if you're just getting started, you'll learn about some resources that will make you more skilled and better informed so you can reap the rewards of greater and greater Scriptural wisdom and insight.
Are you doing what you can and seeing progress that even others notice? Jesus lived a pattern we can follow as we follow him. Let's get everyone on the path that will lead to wholeness, growth, and spiritual vitality.
Celebrating communion should be meaningful and understandable, but too often it can be commonplace and its meaning misunderstood. Make this ancient ritual more meaningful as we examine and celebrate communion in the first message in a new series called Praxis about the things we do as followers of Jesus.
Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are the interpretive key to making sense of the Bible. So it's only after the resurrection that we can see the unified story of the Scriptures that leads us to Jesus all the way through. In this final segment of the Epilogue series, you'll see how the world after the resurrection could finally see God's big picture in the Bible, and see how Jesus unlocks the Bible's purpose and meaning.
Only after Jesus' resurrection did God's plan for the ages come to light. And it makes sense of the world we live in now. In "God's Kingdom Come" we'll see how God's Kingdom is "already" and "not yet" at the same time.
Before the resurrection of Jesus, God's personal presence and power were available, but only for select people and for a season. With the advent of God's Holy Spirit at Pentecost, every believer in Jesus has unprecedented access! See how in this episode of Epilogue.
Have you put off something that you should be doing because you've faced roadblocks, opposition, or doubts? In this episode of Reboot, we'll see that opposition is inevitable but not invincible. We'll see how God chose the least likely convert and put him right to work despite suspicion, opposition, and danger. Perhaps Jesus has something similar in mind for you...
Whether in our own lives or the lives of people we care about, we sometimes face situations that make us wonder if evil has won and we're too far gone. It's true that there are real, personal, evil forces in our world that want nothing more than to steal, kill, and destroy. But there is One who can overcome evil's power.
Frustration can build when needs go unmet and desires go unfulfilled. But what can be done when it seems needs are overwhelming and resources are scarce? Maybe it's just possible that what we need is already in our hands.
We want to have a sense of progress. Feeling like you're running in circles is frustrating. Nevertheless, sometimes we get stuck and stagnant. What can you do to break out of the rut you're in?
What will following Jesus require of me? Jesus gave his first followers clear indicators of what it meant to follow him, and they're still relevant today. What did Jesus want prospective followers to know before they started out on this journey?
No one likes to feel like they're failing. But we don't always know what qualifies as a win. Our aim might be spot on, but we're aiming for the wrong target. How will you know you're on the right track? Don't get to the end of your life and find out your ladder of success was leaning against the wrong building.
When you're seeking direction, are you asking the wrong question? The principle explored in this message will lead you to ask the right question in the right way and give you the direction you're seeking at home, work, and church.
Tired of working hard without results? Jesus came on the scene and completely transformed Simon Peter's life in a way that convinced him to surrender control—even in the areas of life where he thought he knew what he was doing. Will you keep doing what you've always done, or are you ready to see what Jesus can do with your life?
Having seen how God gives forms and then fills our lives with good things by examining this pattern in the creation narrative, in Part Two of Reboot we're seeing how this pattern plays out practically in our lives when it comes to our schedule, our sexuality, and our finances.
Jesus includes people who wouldn't normally be included, and blesses them beyond what could be expected. Now that we've seen how Jesus' habit was to include outsiders and outliers, we'll see what he gives to them as he makes them the ultimate insiders in part two of "Included."
We all want to be included. It feels good. But it becomes meaningless if everyone is included. So our world looks for ways to draw lines and build walls to clarify who's in and who's out, who's special and who's not. The people of Jesus' day did the same thing. But how are Jesus' people, his followers, supposed to treat the outsider and the outlier? From the very start of the story, the Nativity, we get the answer.
How do we handle differences without causing division? Jesus' followers have been unified in him; our job is to protect and maintain that unity. Even though there will always be people who are divisive, it doesn't have to divide the church. The Apostle Paul gives Titus a clear, simple process for dealing with division and divisiveness. And in this message we'll see what unifies believers everywhere.Note: Brian wishes you to know that he does know that "done" is spelled d-o-n-E despite the evidence of this message. "It's a silent e; a very silent e."
Does it seem as though there are always some people screaming for our attention about things that distract and divide? Do I need to pay attention? Will I miss out if I tune out? You can know what is important and what can safely be ignored with the criteria laid out in today's Scripture passage. Don't be derailed by fruitless arguments or man-made rules. The fruit will tell you all you need to know about the root.
How do you handle passages in the Bible that seem to be outdated, out of touch, or simply wrong? Believe it or not, there are logical, helpful , and consistent answers to the challenge of difficult passages. Overcome objections. Understand what the Bible is really saying. Learn how to apply ancient prescriptions to today's situations. The key? To apply, use R.O.I.
What qualifies a person for leadership? In our study of the New Testament letter to Titus, the church was in danger of taking their cue for what was acceptable from the average person around them rather than from the standard of Jesus and the Gospel. How can we be sure to take our cue from Jesus and the Gospel, and surround ourselves with people who will "spur us on toward love and good deeds"?
Looking for practical, objective, Biblical insights that will help you live out your faith when you walk into the voting booth? Listen to this timeless message from the archive which has been described as one of Brian's best.
Listening to this message qualifies as attending "NEXT–Welcome to Cornerstone Community Church" and prequalifies you for membership at Cornerstone for the 2022-2023 ministry season. // Get clarity about what it means to participate in the life of our church, and how God wants to include you in what he's doing in the world today.
God's plan to finish his work is to include us in his work. We too often disqualify others from being involved in God's plans. Sometimes we even rule ourselves out. But Jesus is always including the most unlikely of people to do his most important work.
Ever wonder if your story is over before its time? When dreams are delayed or die, or when things don't go according to plan, it's natural to wonder if God is still at work in your life. But the Scriptures we'll look at in this message are full of God's unfinished business for his people, assuring us that we're not done yet. Discover what's next on God's agenda for you and our church family in part two of Unfinished Business.
You might think it's too late, the moment has past, or you've blown it too big, but God just may not be done with you yet. "Unfinished Business" is a study in the New Testament letter to Titus. Get encouragement. Find hope. God's not done yet!
Since things are not as they should be, and sometimes it can feel like we're facing opposition on every side, how can we find hope and truly make things better? If we fight life's battles in the wrong way or on the wrong battlefield we'll lose every time. But if we understand that a spiritual battle is raging, we'll acquire the spiritual weapons we need to prevail. Help is available, and a new future is possible, if you know where to turn.
If we're going to accomplish our mission, the story of Jesus has to be told. But most people find it hard to find their voice when it comes to matters of faith. In Psalm 145 we see the process that leads to unleashing our tongues and get great encouragement for our lives too!
What does God want for me, and how do I get on the path to where he wants to lead me? Often religious practice focuses on what God wants from me: do this; don't do that! But have you ever wondered what God wants for you? In this famous psalm we'll see God's hopes for us and the starting point to the path he has for us.
Need a turnaround? In Psalm 40, the psalmist celebrates the drastic changes in direction the Lord has effected in the past; and uses that track record as the foundation for a prayer for a change needed desperately right now. Is there someone or somewhere in your life that needs a reversal, a u-turn, or a turn of the tables, and no amount of talking or toiling seems to move the needle? The Lord can turn things around when you can't. Get hope and find your footing in this episode of Permission to Be Real.
No one likes to fail, but everyone enlists in the fail army at some point. The question is not if but when. So when we face failure, how do we overcome it (and avoid it when possible)? In this dive into one of the historical psalms we'll find a failure recovery system you can implement today.
Discouragement. Disappointment. The Dumps. Down times are an inevitable part of life. In Psalms 42 & 43, the psalmist is honest about his troubles and how he feels about them. But is that the end of the story? Discover practical steps everyone can take to deal with the valleys of life in this edition of Permission to Be Real.
When things start to go sideways in your life or in the world around you, what do you do? There are things you can do that make things worse, make things better, or do nothing at all. What will you choose? In the Psalms, there are two model prayers that give us insight on what to do and the right approach when things are going wrong.
How do you get a blessed life? The introduction to the book of Psalms lays out the keys in the first two Psalms. And you can apply the lessons of these psalms this week to make life better and you better at life.
How can I have peace in a dangerous and difficult world? There are always things that threaten our sense of security. In Psalm 23, one of the most well-known and beloved psalms, we see how the Lord, as our shepherd, is the answer to our insecurity.
No one likes to be overwhelmed with opposition. We wonder if we'll make it. We wonder if God will rescue us. Questions arise as to why justice is delayed and evildoers prevail. Where do we find hope when the opposition is overwhelming? How do we respond to those who are fierce in their opposition? Reflection on the insights in the Psalm in today's message gives us helpful approaches to our neighbors when the flow of culture is against us.
The Psalms are true to feeling, and by including them in the Bible, God gives us permission to be real! One of the worst feelings we can have is when we know we've blown it. But the good news is that because of who God is we get treated better than we deserve--even when we've blown it, big time!
Does it pay to do the right thing? If you've ever wondered, you're not alone. In the ancient psalms of the Hebrew Bible (our Old Testament), is the story of a person who wondered, and almost lost his faith because of it. There, you'll find permission to be real about your doubts, and answers that will place your faith on a firm footing.
BONUS EDITION: As part of the Paradigm series at Cornerstone, Jonathan Foreman presented Jesus' entire Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5-7. For the context and question & answer sessions that preceded and followed this presentation, see the complete video: search for The Sermon on the Mount // Paradigm Part Ten from 6/5/2022.
You are free to be real! Even at church! You would think that people who claim to follow the guy who said lying is the native language of the devil would be super-committed to honesty. But sometimes church world is the place we feel least able to be truthful about how we're feeling and what we're thinking.
The Psalms show us that God is okay with our honesty, even when it's not pretty. The new series in the Psalms will show you God has given us all "Permission to Be Real."
Maybe you're asking the wrong question. In the finale of the Paradigm series, we'll see how changing your perspective by asking a different question about where you find yourself can radically change your life.
Ever heard something from that Bible that was confusing, or even offensive? There's an approach to issues like these that will build rather than erode your faith. Enter into the different world of the Bible and come out with a stronger, more resilient faith.
How can you read and understand the Bible? Since the Bible is Messianic meditation wisdom literature, examining the words of Jesus in depth is a great way to gain insight into God's thoughts and ways. The bulk of this message is a straightforward recitation of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of Matthew. It also includes an introduction to the Sermon, and a discussion of its meaning.
Are you more focused on what God wants from you or for you? In part nine of the Paradigm series, we see that the Bible is wisdom literature, revealing God's wisdom and providing for human flourishing, because that's what he wants for you!
How can I get God’s wisdom for my circumstances? The Bible addresses many situations, but everyone's context is different. Part of the Bible's design is that it yields its treasures through repeated exposure and reflection. That's the heart of the next pillar of the paradigm.
We want confidence that we can have God's direction for our life. Is it found in the Bible? If so, where? How does God direct his people? The second pillar of our framework for reading and understanding the Bible can lead us to that confidence. When you want God's counsel, consider the whole counsel of the Word of God, because what the Bible teaches is true is true!
We want confidence that we can hear from God and trust what we're hearing. We're presented with a Bible claiming to be God's words but clearly written by and influenced by its human authors. So was the Bible inspired by God or written by men? If humans were involved, how can the Bible be divine and authoritative? These are the kinds of questions that people have wrestled with through the centuries. The good news is that understanding the nature of the Bible can give us confidence in what we believe and insight into what the Bible means.
Does your faith stand or fail based on a book? On a church? On your understanding? An experience? What is the foundation of your faith? If you want rock-solid faith, you may need something more. Discover the foundation of Christian faith in Paradigm Part Three.
Is "because the Bible tells me so" enough reason to believe? Jesus' followers don't believe something just because it's in the Bible; it's in the Bible because people throughout the ages have found something worth believing in—testified to in the writings that are compiled in our Bible. Explore the evidence and discover the event that sparked the creation of our Bible in part two of Paradigm.
Do you find the Bible confusing, unreliable, or even unbelievable at times? If so, you're not alone! So why do people around the world and throughout history keep reading it, and find it worthy to be described as God's Word? In this new series that presents the Bible's paradigm for understanding the Bible, you'll find you can read and understand the Bible!
How do you know whether or not you're on track? You're busy, but are you purposeful? In the third and final Team Edition message of How to Church, we'll explore what it means to be truly successful in the things that matter most.
We all want to contribute meaningful to the world around us, but often are more keenly aware of our shortcomings than our strengths. How can we find a place that maximizes our strengths and keeps our weaknesses from holding us back? In this message from the Team Edition of How to Church, we'll see how God has designed us to partner up to leverage our unique strengths and make our shortcomings irrelevant.
Jesus' followers are supposed to be know for their love for others. But what does that mean and how can you determine what is truly loving when relationships get complicated? Listen in and see how in "The Focus We're Adopting."
Jonathan & Mayson Foreman update us on their current ministries and plans for a mission trip to Portugal.
In the Scriptures we see repeatedly that those described as good and wise are the ones who see a need and then do what it takes to meet it. That's why one of our core values at Cornerstone is taking initiative! If you're wondering why God doesn't do something, maybe he already has...by calling you to be the solution to the problems you're seeing!
How do I know when good enough is good enough? Some people can't be pleased. Others never live up to their own standards. Some feel aimless and have nothing which demands their striving. For Jesus' followers the answer is balanced and workable: give your best and trust God with the rest.
When we're in difficult situations, our first instinct is to just get out. But what if God has a purpose for where he's got you, and asking one simple question can give you the direction you're seeking? Jesus' followers are always asking...and answering...this simple question.
Jesus' teaching amazed his listeners two thousand years ago...and his followers still see their lives transformed by the truth today. But just knowing the truth isn't enough to weather the storms of life...successfully. This week's message highlights the key difference that determines the outcome.
We want the benefits of a deep spirituality and meaningful connections with God and others. But the distractions of a busy life, a lack of motivation, and little clarity about how to make that kind of progress keep us stuck wandering aimlessly in the spiritual landscape. How can I develop the kind of meaningful and enjoyable relationships I want, and get to the place of spiritual depth for which I hope?
Get a path to follow and a track to run on to get where you want to be spiritually. What should we be doing? We want clarity and simplicity, but competing voices surround us, amplifying our own internal confusion. How do we know what to do next? What if there was a pattern to follow?
We prioritized returning to Sunday morning, and now we have the opportunity, at least for a time!
How can we have clarity when there's very little certainty? A fresh start like a New Year gives us the opportunity to turn the page on the past and start anew. But there's also a lot of uncertainty. What will the future hold? How can I be prepared for what's next when I don't know what's coming next? In this message we'll look at a New Year's celebration from almost 2,500 years ago and get clarity for today and the days to come.
Christmas settles once and for all that God does not want us to be alone, and has done everything necessary for us to know him, be restored to him, and be with him forever. Even when you are alone, you never have to be alone again!
We all want God to answer our prayers. We want to know he's listening. We want him to say yes to our requests. And we want him to do so right now! But that's not always what happens. Sometimes he answers yes, but other times his answer is no. And sometimes his answer is wait. But the problem is that a wait seems like a no. So what do I do when God doesn't seem to come through?
You can be free from your worst impulses and most stubborn failings. In this episode of 2 Peter: Stirred Up, we'll see how Peter combats the false teachers and false teaching that promised freedom but is in fact a special kind of slavery.
Is there a way out of the mess you're in? You're not going to get away with it, but you can find your way out of it. Make a clean break with the past and let the Lord write a new ending to your story!
In the New Testament letter of 2 Peter, the Apostle Peter is writing to congregations being infiltrated with false teachers. He's writing to warn and protect his flock. And in the process he provides a blueprint for returning to the Lord.
Whether you feel closer to God now than ever before, or you recognize there's some distance to make up, you find practical help and encouraging insights to move you from uncertain to confident, doubting to trusting, and fearful to at peace. But it all begins with a step in the right direction.
Message Only // Freedom! Every feel like there is a blockage in your life you can't identify or clear? You can have a clear conscience, a clean slate, and a fresh start. Watch and get free!
Message Only // Facing trials, difficulties, or opposition? You're not alone...In this week's message from 1 Peter, "Hold Your Ground," we'll see how God's encouragement and power can make you stand firm when the ground is shaking under you.
At church, work, school, at home, and beyond there is always a need for good leaders. Would you like to get expert insight on how to recognize a good leader and how to be one? In 1 Peter, you'll find insights from Jesus, who started a worldwide movement that has lasted two millennia so far, from the guy who was his right hand man, the Apostle Peter. You can avoid getting burned by bad leadership, and be the leader you were meant to be (and the world needs)!
What if all that needed to be done and said could be done and said if only God could find willing hearts among his people? In this episode of 1 Peter: Outsider Insider, we'll see God's plan for meeting needs as Jesus did.
Some pain is unavoidable; but there is a class of pain that through habit, compulsion, and association we bring upon ourselves. Haven't you had enough unnecessary pain? See how Jesus' suffering on the cross freed us from sin's impulses and its much worse consequences.
How can we believe God is just with so much injustice in the world? In this episode of 1 Peter: Outsider Insider exploring the first letter from the Apostle Peter, we'll see that both long experience with God in the past and the certain promises of God for the future assure us that sooner or later, right will be rewarded. But the question becomes how do we deal with the wrongs of the past and what must be done to make sure we're in the right when all things are made right?
Wanna get away? No we're not talking jet planes, but the situations, troubles, and difficulties that are shockingly unfair, downright unjust, and unfortunately unavoidable. Although we can't always escape them, there is good news: we can overcome them. Hear how in episode 1.2 of Outsider Insider from the Apostle Peter's first letter in the New Testament.
In the introduction to the first letter from the Apostle Peter, Peter introduces the key contrast of the letter: how to handle being on the outside.
If you're in the area and can be there for church, please do! We're celebrating communion, looking at the most important passage in the Gospel of Mark so far (it's about suffering), and having a conversation about what's next! 9 AM at 2 Whitney Rd Concord NH 03301.
How can you read the Bible with understanding and apply it to your life with confidence? Join Dustin Davis as he asks Pastor Brian how he decides what to study and preach, as well as how to keep your Bible reading fresh and keep going when you don't feel that motivated. Resources mentioned in this episode: First Steps Life Journaling & Reading Plan bookmark (Download Below) Life Application Study Bible https://www.amazon.com/s?k=life+application+study+bible Life Journals https://www.liferesources.cc Mark for Everyone by N.T. Wright https://www.amazon.com/Mark-Everyone-New-Testament/dp/066422783X Mark: Understanding the Bible Commentary by Larry Hurtado https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Bible-Commentary-Larry-Hurtado/dp/0801046645
Political upheaval. Factions. Persecution. Separation. These were just some of the challenges faced by the early church in Rome, where Peter preached and Mark wrote his Gospel. In this episode of Things Set Right, an in-depth look at the Gospel of Mark, we'll see how Mark pulled out in Jesus' teaching and actions the solution to becoming one community: we are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
If you expect difficulty you can escape disaster. Is your faith in danger of being derailed by life? Are there questions you can't answer, or circumstances you can't make sense of? In this episode of Things Set Right we'll see in the story of John the Baptist that expecting the difficulty we will face can actually keep us from disaster!
We're gathering in homes or wherever we are to watch Cornerstone Online together over the July 4 weekend. Watch Parties will replace Cornerstone Online & On Lawn for this week only. Watch the update from Brian for details.
On move-out weekend, Brian gives an update on our new schedule and the search for our new location.
Every follower of Jesus has been commissioned, and has a purpose for this time and place. Do you recognize it? As we see in this week's episode of Things Set Right, an in-depth study of the Gospel of Mark, Jesus sent his first disciples out with a mission and directions that have application for today. Find your focus and know what to be on guard against so that you won't get sidetracked in this week's episode.
Don't miss out on what God wants to do for you—and through you—by rejecting the One he works through! In this episode of Things Set Right as we look in detail at the Gospel of Mark, we'll see how the humble town where Jesus had the chance to experience the benefits of his ministry...and blew it.
Faith is only as good as its object. You can have monster-sized faith, but if it's placed in the wrong person or thing, you're destined for disappointment. But even the smallest seed of faith placed in a trustworthy object will be rewarded. In this episode of Things Set Right, we see how trust in Jesus is followed by jaw-dropping results which demonstrate his power and confirm his divinity.
When we come face to face with evil in the world, what is our default impulse? Default action? In this episode from the Gospel of Mark, Jesus confronts a legion of evil powers and sets things right, even when begged to let things be. Pastor Brian gives a primer on evil spirits and practical insights that will help you overcome evil with good.
Don't give up. Cry out! In this episode of Things Set Right where we're diving deep into the Gospel of Mark, we find the disciples in deadly peril on the sea. They had almost given up hope of living through the raging storm before awakening Jesus, who was asleep in the boat with them as it was filling with water. The difficulties and dangers in your life can rob you of your hope for a future. But a different ending is possible, where God "awakens" and you come out on the other side stronger, better, and knowing something about God you didn't know before.
"The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given." (Mark 4:24b NLT) In some of the most concentrated teaching from Jesus recorded in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus clears up confusion and paints a clear picture of his ministry—but only for those who are paying attention. See how more understanding comes as we pay closer attention to Jesus' teaching on the Kingdom of God in Mark chapter four.
Jesus' stunning actions in the Gospel of Mark make it clear that he was redefining and reconstituting the people of God based on their response to and relationship with him. Whatever you may believe about Jesus, he made it clear he had come to set things right and invites us to be included in that mission. The response to his claims, millennia ago and today, are a dividing line that defines our own relationship to the kingdom he was inaugurating and the family he was gathering.
Needs met! Wedding plans. Summer ministry plans. Taking the Gospel to every people. Newly engaged Jonathan Foreman updates us on all the news. See CornerstoneNH.org/Jon to stay in touch with Jonathan & Mayson.
Religiosity can be a cover for some pretty unpleasant attitudes and behaviors. But in Jesus we see a consistent concern for people first and foremost, displayed by his compassion for the needs he met in the people around him. In this episode of Things Set Right as we work our way through the Gospel of Mark, we see the patterns that clue us in to the structure and purpose of the story Mark tells, and focus in on a conflict Jesus has with the religious leaders when they pit made-up rules against Jesus' authority which he employs to set things right!
Want clarity on how God works so you can recognize his ways? How do you know if God is in a particular circumstance? Thankfully we have a track record with which to compare our circumstances. In this episode of Things Set Right we'll see that God gave all kinds of clues as to who Jesus is and what he is doing in the opening paragraphs of the Gospel of Mark so we could recognize what was going on.
When Jesus announced that the Kingdom of God was coming, he was proclaiming that God was about to set things right. What many didn't realize at the time was that he was going to begin with his people and then invite them into the endeavor. In episode two of Things Set Right, we'll see how we can participate in God's setting things right!
Jesus is still writing his story! The story doesn't end with the death, burial, or even resurrection of Jesus. After Easter things would never be the same, but a new storyline has begun. Jesus is still actively building his kingdom, and still inviting others to be a part of it.
Jesus' week traversed adoring throngs on Palm Sunday through betrayal, beatings, and eventually crucifixion on Good Friday. His followers agonized through guilt, sorrow, and silence in the second half of the week. But the end of the story wasn't written until Resurrection Sunday morning. The Easter experience reminds us that whatever we face there's always hope because the end of the story hasn't been written yet!
It's hard to trust God's plans when we don't understand his plans. But God is always at work, even when it's not in the way we expect. In the Gospel of Mark, we see Jesus confirming his kingship but accomplishing his mission in ways that friends and foes alike found hard to understand. In the end, God is going to do his work in his way. Are we willing to cooperate with his plans in a way that will allow us to participate in his purposes?
We all need wisdom and insight from time to time, and sometimes urgently. How can you be sure you have the insight you need when you need it? Jesus provided the insights his disciples needed to navigate the unexpected way he was inaugurating the Kingdom of God. He still gives his followers the wisdom they need for the moment they're facing. Explore it with us in this episode of King & Cross focusing on Jesus' preaching in the Gospel according to Mark.
Difficulty is to be expected...and can be overcome, but Jesus' method may be counterintuitive. In the second message in the series King & Cross we see that suffering and service are Jesus' example and our expectation as believers. The Gospel of Mark was written in part to encourage believers suffering persecution we can only imagine, by pointing them to the king who secured his victory by going to the cross.
Avoid the distractions by focusing on the focus of our faith, Jesus—who he is, what he did, and what it means for us. We're exploring the Gospel of Mark in the series King & Cross. Discover how the story of Jesus spoke to Mark's first audience, the early Christians facing withering persecution in Nero's Rome. Like them, you'll find encouragement, strength, and hope for now and the future!
Jesus offered rest to those who are "weary and heavy-laden" but all too often we are still carrying burdens that we shouldn't or can't. What's worse is that sometimes these loads are come as part of our religious baggage. However, in the Apostle Paul's letter to the churches of Galatia, we find the formula to lighten the load: tossing off unnecessary expectations we and others put on us, and being a part of faith family that shares the burdens that remain.
Our fears and worries can be debilitating. Jesus told us simply, "Don't worry," but did you know he gave us reasons why also? Learn the why behind "don't worry" and get skilled at dumping your worries for actions that actually make a difference.
When life wears you down, how do you find strength to keep getting up again? Sometimes the circumstances around us are bad enough. Then there's the battle in our minds. In "Choose Joy" we'll discover how to choose and experience the benefits of joy regardless of our circumstances.
Routines and ruts can be comfortable but they may not be where God's best is found. Sometimes the Lord has to disturb our life in order to give us the life he has in mind. It all starts with our willingness to say "Yes, Lord. Now what's the question?"
Purpose. We all need to know we're filling a need and making a difference. This week's Dangerous Prayer moves us beyond the comfortable, safe, and bland to a cry for world-changing, difference-making impact. The twist? Your impact is much more about your availability than your ability. Are you available, and willing to pray, "Send me!"?
Would you like to be free? We've all had the experience of doing something we really don't want to do because in the moment we really wanted to do it. Huh? Confusing right? Thankfully, there is a solution to this confusing compulsion, and it's the topic of the second Dangerous Prayer of this series. You can be free of the destructive compulsions that sometimes take over your life. Here's how.
Student missionaries Jonathan Foreman & Mayson Cambron give us an update on their studies, ministries, and needs.
Dangerous Prayers returns with new dangerous prayers to pray for 2021! Do you have the courage to pray dangerous prayers?
How does following Jesus make this time better than last time—regardless of the circumstances? Last year was a challenge. See how you can face this year with hope and determination no matter what you face.
The angels announced Jesus' birth with a proclamation of peace on earth and goodwill to men. But this year especially has been full of upheaval and turmoil. What are we to make of the angels' proclamation, the prophetic title of Jesus as the Prince of Peace, and Jesus himself's own promise to give us his peace when it contrasts so starkly with our reality? We believe you and the people you care about can experience peace this Christmas season—and beyond.
"Peace—A Cornerstone Christmas Celebration" will be available online exclusively RIGHT HERE at CornerstoneNH.org. — You can watch live with others from your church family and anywhere in the world 6 PM Thursday, Christmas Eve, and on our usual weekend schedule, 6:45 PM Saturday, and 9, 10 & 11 AM Sunday. — Or gather the family and friends in your household and watch anytime on demand on your schedule on Christmas Eve...and beyond! Merry Christmas!
SINCE JESUS IS WITH US, OUR SITUATION IS NEVER HOPELESS. The challenges of life are to be expected, and this year has been more challenging than most. But at Christmas time we're reminded that God is present and active, showing up in the manger of Bethlehem (among other places) to rescue and save. See how a trio of men faced down a fiery trial of their own hundreds of years before the first Christmas and found God present, able, and willing to save.
This instant classic worship song is paired with the traditional Christmas carol to make a great song for singing during the Christmas season...and beyond!
Have you experienced disappointment or loss? Even then you can know the Lord is present and active!
FORGIVENESS SAYS, "YOU DON'T OWE ME ANYMORE." What does it mean to be forgiven? How do you know when you've forgiven someone else? In this episode of The Best Advice I Ever Got we define forgiveness is a way that's easy to understand so that we know exactly how to offer it and receive it, even when it's hard.
You can know just what to say in every situation…if you know where to look. But too often we act on instinct or say the wrong thing and make things worse for ourselves and others. In this episode of The Best Advice I Ever Got, we’ll talk about the power of our words and how we can wield them to make a powerful and positive impact on ourselves and those around us.
This episode of The Best Advice I Ever Got is about great decision-making! You can clear away the fog and know the right thing to do in any situation when you "ask the question."
This weekend’s episode of The Best Advice I Ever Got is an especially helpful message dealing with giving and receiving correction that truly makes a difference. If you’ve ever been frustrated because issues don’t get resolved, even though you’ve talked about them over and over again, Break the Crazy Cycle will give you the insights and tools you need to break that cycle of frustration. NOTE: The video is from Cornerstone Online, the audio is from Cornerstone In Gym.
The live on-lawn version of The Best Advice I Ever Got #4! During trying times, people need extra grace. Often circumstances will cause our fears to surface instead. How can you face your own fears and help others in their hour of need? Find supernatural peace when you need it most so you can share it with many!
What’s the best financial advice you ever got? Did you follow it? Often our problem is not a lack of knowledge but follow-through. In 10/10/80 we’ll give you a plan that works and address the reasons you’ve most likely failed to implement your plan before.
We’ve all had days when we were really busy but felt like we got nothing done. It was all putting out fires and chasing our tails. How can you make sure that when you put your head on the pillow at night saying I may not have done everything I wanted to do, but I did the most important things? Get the focus and clarity you need to keep the main things the main thing, and to avoid spinning your wheels in part two of The Best Advice I Ever Got.
When you face decisions, especially when your knowledge is limited and the stakes are high, how will you know what path to take? In Two Paths, we uncover the source for insights that will help you make the kind of choices that will get you where you ultimately want to go. Note: The video version is from Cornerstone Online, the audio version is from Cornerstone On Lawn.
Another Bonus Version! – Ready for a reset? This is the in-person on-lawn version of this week’s UPENDED. We’re exploring how to get back on track and maintain good relationships in the process.
Ready for a reset? In this week’s UPENDED, we’re exploring how to get back on track and maintain good relationships in the process.
You need what being a part of God’s family provides. Do you have it? The early church’s experience at Pentecost set in motion a radical upending of their sense of God’s people and God’s place. The benefits of being included in God’s family and his kingdom would bust out of just one place and just one nation to everyone everywhere. These benefits are still available to us, even when our sense of place and connection is disrupted. Find your place today!
BONUS VERSION! Yep, the in-person version is going to vary from the online version, and this week's on-lawn message was worth adding to the podcast! Listen to how Jesus pulled together a church out of enemies & opposites. Get hope that today's divisions can be overcome the same way.
What can pull us together when everything is driving us apart? In this week's UPENDED you’ll see how Jesus overcame the divisions and prejudices of his day, and get hope and a strategy for our day. We aren't used to seeing Jesus' disciples in light of their radically different starting points, which makes their (and our) eventual unity and synergy all the more amazing!
What can pull us together when everything is driving us apart? Brian gives a preview to this weekend's Cornerstone Online & On Lawn UPENDED messages.
God just may want to use you to turn things around when the world is turned upside down. But before he can do that, he may have to challenge some cherished assumptions and preconceived notions. The new series UPENDED begins with the opening scene in the book of Acts.
Join us 10 a.m. Sunday at our church office location, 2 Whitney Rd (Concord Crossing) for our first "On Lawn" in-person worship gathering! Bring your lawn chairs, beach blankets & umbrellas, pop-up shelters for a festival-like atmosphere this Sunday as we begin the new series, UPENDED.
New options for meeting together are starting this week! Church is open online, in homes, in studio, and On Lawn. Here are more details—and my hopes and expectations—for our church in this next phase of ministry. Details: CornerstoneNH.org/events
Wouldn’t you like to know that your life makes a difference and that what you’re doing matters? You have two extremely powerful, powerfully potent tools at your disposal: your words and your deeds. In the culmination of Stay Positive, we’ll explore how each of us can have a no-miss on-mission positive impact right now.
You can keep your relationships moving in a "Stay Positive" direction, but it may require a bit of maintenance. Jesus gave us very specific guidance for righting wrongs. We explore it this week!
Frustrations will come, but we don't need to be ruled by them. If we're going to stay positive, we'll have to figure out a new way to deal with anger that leads to pure joy.
If we're going to stay positive, we'll not just be positive, but also have a positive impact on the people around us. Our words make a huge difference. We can cause others to bleed, or meet another's need with just our words. Here's why we say what we say and how to choose our words well.
What acts like rocket fuel for your faith? You can have a hope-filled faith for the future. You just need to know where to look. Look backward then forward, because an attitude of gratitude for the past will fortify your faith for the future.
In Week One of Stay Positive, discover the hope you can have in Christ, the good news you need to hear, and how to stay optimistic even when bad news tries to dominate your daily life.
Pastor Erick Brookins has a unique perspective as a pastor married to a doctor in Florida during the COVID-19 pandemic & lockdown. Erick, Brian & Suellen were all at Palm Beach Atlantic together and through the wonders of Facebook are still in touch.
Are you willing to become a means to an end that is not about you? You can find purpose, but it may require some humbling. This message is the culmination of Dangerous Prayers season two.
The Dangerous Prayer "Convict Me" surfaces as Pastor Brian reviews a journal entry from two years ago.
Frustrated by inconsistency and a lack of integrity? The gap between saying and doing can be addressed, and it begins with us when we pray, "Convict me."
It’s graduation season and we’ve got two opportunities to gather to celebrate and show our support! See CornerstoneNH.org/events for details.
Pain is often the path to where we want and need to be. See how God uses painful and unpleasant circumstances to remake us into healthier and more effective people.
Pastor Brian & Dustin Davis give tips on how to make progress spiritually by establishing a daily devotional habit.
We each face situations where something needs to be done, but we’re not sure what to do. What if you could get daily guidance for life that would prepare you for the day and all its challenges?
Here are two words that will give you direction so you'll know exactly what to pray at all times; plus some encouragement that will increase your joy & peace quotient regardless of your circumstances.
How do you keep pressing on when you don't see the point? If you're in the slog, if the time and place you find yourself in is not going according to plan, this is the message for you, because wherever you are, God has a purpose for you to fulfill. Discover it when you pray the Dangerous Prayer, "Lead me."
What are your fears? No, we’re not talking about external phobias like spiders, sharks, or heights. What keeps you up at night? What fears ricochet around in your mind and refuse to be quieted? These fears reveal something about our faith, because what we fear the most reveals where we trust God the least. Shake off crippling fears and find peace in the proved love of God in episode 1.2 of Dangerous Prayers.
Do you wish you could see the evidence that prayer changes lives? In this series, we’ll be praying prayers the search your soul, break your habits, and send you on the adventure of pursuing God’s calling on your life. But be warned: these prayers are dangerous. Do you have the courage to pray dangerous prayers? // Dangerous Prayers 1.1
Jesus knows what he's doing...even when we can't figure it out, and things don't make sense. Whether it's a worldwide pandemic, or the suffering inherent in daily life, we know that God is working for his glory and our good. And after this, we'll know Jesus better than we did before this. // God is in Control, Part 5
God is in control…even when our circumstances change, people fail us, and we wonder where God is in the midst of it all. Join us as we explore the theme of "Reversal" in Jesus' life and ours. In the end you'll be encouraged and find hope, because even though circumstances change, God remains the same! // God is in Control, Part 4
In times of isolation and uncertainty, it's good to know that God is in control, you're not alone, and he has a purpose for you in the midst of the turmoil. // God is in Control, Part 3
Get grounded and experience peace when the world seems like it's spinning out of control. Recorded at the beginning of the Coronavirus Pandemic in the United States, we see that God is good and has good for us to do in the turmoil. // God is in Control, Part 2
In a time of rapid change and uncertainty, it's good to know that God is in control. His power is such that he will use whatever you face for his glory and your good. This message was delivered via Facebook Live during the first weekend of the COVID-19 lockdown. // God is in Control, Part 1
Opposition is inevitable. Crumbling in its face is not. Learn what you need to know to stand firm when trials, persecution, and opposition come your way in “Not Shaken."