The rule and reign of God’s Messiah did not begin in Bethlehem or even with Isaiah.  Today, Mike takes us back to the promise to David in 2 Samuel 7 1-17 and walks from there through Isaiah 9 1-7 to the birth of Christ and beyond. 

And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me. Your throne shall be established for ever. 

Cornerstone City Church - Medway Valley Community https://www.cornerstonecity.co.uk/medway-valley 

linktr.ee/cccmedway 

Email: [email protected] 

Podcasts: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cccmedwayvalley

Starting today we have a new series - “The Government Shall Be Upon His Shoulder".  This will (God willing) run over the coming weeks of Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026.  Audrey kicked us off today, speaking from Isaiah 9 1-7.  Her slides are available here.  

The people who walked in darkness 
    have seen a great light; 
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, 
    on them has light shined. 
... 

For to us a child is born, 
    to us a son is given; 
and the government shall be upon his shoulder, 
    and his name shall be called 
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, 
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 
Of the increase of his government and of peace 
    there will be no end, 
on the throne of David and over his kingdom, 
    to establish it and to uphold it 
with justice and with righteousness 
    from this time forth and for evermore. 
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. 

Audio clips used in this message & podcast: 

Handel: Messiah, For unto us a child is born (Sir Colin Davis, Tenebrae, LSO) 

Handel's 'Hallelujah!' Chorus live at the Sydney Opera House 

Cornerstone City Church - Medway Valley Community https://www.cornerstonecity.co.uk/medway-valley 

linktr.ee/cccmedway 

Email: [email protected] 

Podcasts: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cccmedwayvalley

In Mark 12v28-34 , Jesus tells us that “The most important [commandment] is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’“.  Mike was our speaker this week, leading us through this passage. 

Cornerstone City Church - Medway Valley Community https://www.cornerstonecity.co.uk/medway-valley 

linktr.ee/cccmedway 

Email: [email protected] 

Podcasts: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cccmedwayvalley

Lula, Tony & Adam discuss our 11th vision statement about "Creating Movement" which links in well with the direction we are moving into as a Church. They look into it deeper and chat about what creating movement would look like and how we are to do it! Focusing around the statement that says...  

"In Medway & beyond we have a dream of a movement of thousands that sees growth in numbers without compromising quality as many experience the grace of God and are added to the Church." 

  
The video can be found on the Cornerstone YouTube channel here:  Podcast 11 - Creating Movement 

Cornerstone City Church - Medway Valley Community https://www.cornerstonecity.co.uk/medway-valley 

linktr.ee/cccmedway 

Email: [email protected] 

Podcasts: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cccmedwayvalley 

This week Joe takes us to Mark 12v18-27 and another (failed) attempt to trip Jesus up.   

What a joy and privilege we have to know “the Scriptures [and] the power of God“!  To know that, through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we too can be raised.  And that there is a celebration coming when we are united with Him for all eternity! 

Cornerstone City Church - Medway Valley Community https://www.cornerstonecity.co.uk/medway-valley 

linktr.ee/cccmedway 

Email: [email protected] 

Podcasts: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cccmedwayvalley

Based on Mark 12v13-17, Chris explored how Jesus responded to a trap set by religious leaders, and what that means for us today. He drew out four key lessons: 

Watch Out—People May Try to Trap You 

Respect Authority—Even When It’s Imperfect 

Live with Integrity—Let Your Yes Be Yes 

Pray for Wisdom—And Be a Witness 

Cornerstone City Church - Medway Valley Community https://www.cornerstonecity.co.uk/medway-valley 

linktr.ee/cccmedway 

Email: [email protected] 

Podcasts: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cccmedwayvalley

In this message, Joe unpacks 2 Peter 1v3–11, emphasizing that the Christian life begins and is sustained by God's divine power. He explores how believers are called to live godly lives not through their own strength, but through the transformative work of Christ, the promises of God, and the sanctifying presence of the Holy Spirit. Joe highlights the importance of spiritual growth—adding virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love—as evidence of a life changed by grace. He reminds listeners that these qualities help us remain effective and fruitful in our faith, and that forgetting them is like forgetting the power of the cross. The message concludes with a call to live intentionally, rooted in the knowledge of Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and focused on the eternal kingdom.

Cornerstone City Church - Medway Valley Community https://www.cornerstonecity.co.uk/medway-valley 

linktr.ee/cccmedway 

Email: [email protected] 

Podcasts: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cccmedwayvalley

Mike began with Isaiah 5v1-7 to lead our study of Mark 12v1-12.  

God has a specific role and task for each of us.  For the leaders of the Jews at the time of Jesus, for the leaders of the Church today, for leaders in society, for you and me, the task is basically the same - 

As the Westminster Shorter Catechism says, our "chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever”.  

God takes His tasks seriously.  So should we.   

What in our lives is getting in the way of His call to us? 

Cornerstone City Church - Medway Valley Community https://www.cornerstonecity.co.uk/medway-valley 

linktr.ee/cccmedway 

Email: [email protected] 

Podcasts: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cccmedwayvalley

Joe, Adam & Rhonda discuss the next vision statement of our series...  

" In Medway & beyond we have a dream of a church that takes seriously The Great Commission to make disciples. It equips and sends out hundreds of people to advance the kingdom of God in Medway and beyond, especially through helping establish new churches and reaching the unreached with words, works and wonders."  

The video can be found on the Cornerstone YouTube channel here: Vision 10 - Equipping, Sending & Planting   

Cornerstone City Church - Medway Valley Community https://www.cornerstonecity.co.uk/medway-valley 

linktr.ee/cccmedway 

Email: [email protected] 

Podcasts: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cccmedwayvalley

It was good to welcome Adam again this Sunday as he walked us through what the Bible shows us about what the Church is, and how it relates to us in Medway Valley now, in 2025. 

He referenced to passages from Acts, Acts 14v21-28 and Acts 2v42-47 

In the early Church, there was a gospel focus. They were preaching the gospel, reaching the unreached. There are multiple locations - some places they're there for a short period, and other places, they stay there for a long time.  

There are ministers of the gospel and ministries that are also trans-local; particular people that move about across the churches 

The Church meet, there's a strengthening of disciple, the apostles strengthening in the faith, in the word, encouraging the church to stand firm, particularly in the face of pressure and persecution. 

So what is a Church?  It’s a group of believers together. They gather regularly, devoted to Jesus, loving God and loving other people, growing in obedience, holiness. They know what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit together, and to keep in step with the Spirit of God as they're led together in those close relationships that they are building. Becoming more like Jesus, they'll be becoming more humble, they will be more lowly, they will be meek, those that are preferring one another, those that are not proud and self-seeking, but seeking the good of the whole community that they're part of, those that are relying upon the Lord, trusting in the Lord, like a tree that has its roots going down deep beside a river, and they gather to worship, to pray, and as part of that, that group will be sharing the Lord's supper, they will be baptising people (these are two really important things that are means of God's presence and grace to us), they will be witnessing in words and in works and wonders. And when they're together, they'll be contributing - everybody has a part to play. When you are together, everyone is a participator in the spirit of God, 1 Corinthians 14 talks about everyone having the spirit, so anyone can pray or prophesy or bring a word of encouragement from scripture, everybody's got a part to play. 1 Corinthians 12 talks about a body, that everybody has got a part, is like a part of the body, everybody gets to bring something to contribute. 

Cornerstone City Church - Medway Valley Community https://www.cornerstonecity.co.uk/medway-valley 

linktr.ee/cccmedway 

Email: [email protected] 

Podcasts: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cccmedwayvalley