War, politics, and faith collide in this deep conversation about how Christians should think about war.

In this episode of Ascend the Hill, we unpack the growing global tensions surrounding Iran, modern warfare, and the difficult question many believers are asking: How should Christians respond when nations go to war?

The discussion explores historical Christian perspectives including Just War Theory, insights from Augustine, Aquinas, and C.S. Lewis, and the tension between Jesus’ teachings on peace and the reality of evil in a fallen world.

Topics include:

• The Christian response to modern war and violence
• Iran, global conflict, and moral responsibility
• Pacifism vs Just War Theory
• What the Bible says about peace, justice, and defending the innocent
• How believers should think critically about politics and war

Rather than choosing easy answers, this episode wrestles honestly with the biblical, historical, and moral tension Christians face when confronting evil and injustice in the world.

If you’ve ever wondered whether war can ever be justified for Christians, this conversation will challenge you to think deeply about faith, justice, and the pursuit of peace.

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What does God actually want you to do with your money?

In this final message of the INVESTED series, we talk about something deeper than budgeting or debt, we talk about vision, planning, and dreaming with God in your finances.

In a world where 78% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and financial stress impacts marriages and families, Scripture gives us a different path. From Malachi 3 to Matthew 6, from Joseph’s famine plan to Paul’s missionary strategy, the Bible shows us that planning is wisdom, vision requires faith, and generosity unlocks purpose.

This message walks through three powerful layers:

• PLAN – Create a practical, disciplined strategy for what’s in your hands
• VISION – Ask God what He wants to do beyond what you currently have
• DREAM – Carry a faith-filled generosity goal that would require supernatural intervention

God gives us the ability to produce wealth (Deuteronomy 8:17–18), not so we can serve money, but so we can partner with Him in advancing His Kingdom.

This isn’t about giving to get.
It’s about getting positioned so you can give.

If you’ve ever wondered:

Should Christians budget?

What does the Bible say about financial planning?

Is tithing still relevant?

How do I dream with God financially?

How do I break free from financial stress?

This message is for you.

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In this message from 1 Corinthians 1:18–2:16, we explore the Wisdom of God and the Maturity of the Saints. In a culture obsessed with status, intellect, and influence, Paul boldly declares that the message of the cross is still “foolish” to the world—but to those being saved, it is the power and wisdom of God.

What does it mean to boast only in Christ? How do we grow from spiritual infancy into maturity? And how does humility position us to know the deep things of God?

This sermon challenges us to resist cultural pride, embrace the “foolishness” of the cross, pursue real spiritual maturity, and move from simply being children of God to becoming friends of God.

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Why does heaven throw a party over one sinner?

In this powerful message from Luke 15, we explore the three parables of Jesus: The Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son, and uncover the scandalous, relentless mercy of God.

This sermon challenges the Pharisee in all of us and reminds us:
• Mercy triumphs over judgment
• The Shepherd searches until He finds
• The Father runs before shame can reach you
• Heaven celebrates when the lost come home

Whether you feel like:
– The sheep who wandered
– The coin who didn’t even know you were lost
– The son who willfully walked away

Jesus is searching, sweeping, watching, and waiting.

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Cornerstone is officially launching a new church campus: Cornerstone Hendersonville! Pastor Jeremy sits down with Pastor Gunnar for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about what it really takes to plant/launch a church. They talk through real fears (failure, capacity, pastor’s kids), the difference between being a staff pastor vs. a lead pastor, how insecurity loses power when you celebrate others, and the tension between control and trust when empowering leaders. If you’re stepping into something new: ministry, leadership, business, or any God-sized risk, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and faith-centered encouragement: don’t wait for perfect… just start, and keep getting better.

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In this message, we explore the life and faith of C. S. Lewis, author of Mere Christianity and The Chronicles of Narnia, and close friend of J. R. R. Tolkien (author of The Lord of the Rings). From trench warfare to wartime radio broadcasts, Lewis’s journey from atheism to faith shaped a powerful defense of Christianity.

We dive into the Cardinal and Theological Virtues, with a focus on “Charity” as love rooted in the will—not just emotion. This teaching challenges men to live convinced, convicted, and confident lives, building character through daily obedience, discipline, and devotion to God.

Be encouraged to love God and others through faithful action—one decision at a time.

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Are you serving God… or serving money?
In this powerful message from the INVESTED series, we unpack what Jesus meant when He said, “You cannot serve both God and mammon.” Is money evil? What does the Bible really say about wealth, tithing, generosity, and stewardship?

This sermon dives deep into:
• The true meaning of “mammon”
• How money can enslave both the rich and the poor
• What Jesus taught in Matthew 6 about worry and provision
• 1 Timothy 6:10 and the love of money
• Practical wisdom from Proverbs and Ecclesiastes
• Keys to walking in financial freedom and peace

When we shift from ownership to stewardship and from fear to faith, we experience peace that mammon can never give.

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Why do Christian denominations differ so sharply on hot-button issues and what does that mean for church accountability when scandals hit the news? In this episode of Ascend the Hill, we break down major mainline and evangelical groups (Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopal, UCC, Southern Baptist, PCA, Nazarene, Assemblies of God), highlighting where they often stand on LGBTQ issues, abortion, and women in ministry and how their structures handle leadership failure, cover-ups, discipline, and restoration. They also discuss the tension between truth and mercy, why “evangelical” has become a loaded label, and why compassion can’t be optional in the body of Christ.

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A month off the mic and we’re back in the middle of a heated cultural moment. We talk through what’s been happening in Minneapolis, the tensions around ICE and “sanctuary city” policy, and why so much of what we see online is designed to spike our emotions. Most importantly: how should Christians process volatile headlines with wisdom, compassion, truth, and self-control without getting radicalized by algorithms or tribal politics?

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In this message, we begin our INVESTED series with a biblical, honest, and pastoral teaching on tithing. 

Discover why Scripture speaks so clearly about money, what the tithe really is, and how God invites us to trust Him with our finances. From Malachi 3 and beyond, this sermon unpacks stewardship, heart posture, and the promise of the “windows of heaven” for those who honor God first.

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