In this season Cornerstone is focusing on one of the great, though often overlooked, themes of Scripture, Exile. The prevalence of exile as a theme, across the span of Scripture is significant: in Genesis 3 the first humans are exiled from the garden. We also read in Scripture about Abraham's descendants being exiled in Egypt. And of course the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah are carried into exile by the Assyrians and the Babylonians. In recent times scholars like N.T. Wright have helped us to see that in Jesus' time there was a conception of the Jews being exiled in the Promised Land, because of the occupying presence of Rome. Even though exile is such an important theme it is not difficult to imagine why it is not much focused upon in Christian culture - nobody wants to be in exile. Exile is hard.

But throughout the story of God and His people, even in exile God is always doing something.

Numerous commentators are observing how the church in the Western world, once at the centre, is now being pushed to the margins of society. Could it be that the church is going into an exile of sorts? If so, what might this mean for us as Christians? How would we go about being the people of God in such circumstance? We hope you'll be blessed as we explore some possible answers to these questions together.

In this season Cornerstone is focusing on one of the great, though often overlooked, themes of Scripture, Exile. The prevalence of exile as a theme, across the span of Scripture is significant: in Genesis 3 the first humans are exiled from the garden. We also read in Scripture about Abraham's descendants being exiled in Egypt. And of course the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah are carried into exile by the Assyrians and the Babylonians. In recent times scholars like N.T. Wright have helped us to see that in Jesus' time there was a conception of the Jews being exiled in the Promised Land, because of the occupying presence of Rome. Even though exile is such an important theme it is not difficult to imagine why it is not much focused upon in Christian culture - nobody wants to be in exile. Exile is hard.

But throughout the story of God and His people, even in exile God is always doing something.

Numerous commentators are observing how the church in the Western world, once at the centre, is now being pushed to the margins of society. Could it be that the church is going into an exile of sorts? If so, what might this mean for us as Christians? How would we go about being the people of God in such circumstance? We hope you'll be blessed as we explore some possible answers to these questions together.

Advent is the first season in the Christian calendar and is celebrated over the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.

The title ‘Advent’ comes from the Latin word ‘adventus’ which means ‘coming’. Through this season we wait and prepare to celebrate the incarnation; God coming in to our world as a baby, 2000 years ago.

We also anticipate the second coming, when Christ will return and put all things right. We live in between these two comings.

There is a lot to love about the ‘silly season’; holidays, work parties, time with friends and family, good food and drink. However, it is also easy to find ourselves so caught up in all of this that Jesus is simply reduced to something we tag on at the end of everything else.

In a season so often marked by busy-ness, indulgence, consumption and personal and financial pressures, Advent offers us a distinctly Christian way to approach and re-claim this time of year.

Advent marks the beginning of the church calendar, it is the Christian New Year. Let’s intentionally choose to begin the year well.

Advent is the first season in the Christian calendar and is celebrated over the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.

The title ‘Advent’ comes from the Latin word ‘adventus’ which means ‘coming’. Through this season we wait and prepare to celebrate the incarnation; God coming in to our world as a baby, 2000 years ago.

We also anticipate the second coming, when Christ will return and put all things right. We live in between these two comings.

There is a lot to love about the ‘silly season’; holidays, work parties, time with friends and family, good food and drink. However, it is also easy to find ourselves so caught up in all of this that Jesus is simply reduced to something we tag on at the end of everything else.

In a season so often marked by busy-ness, indulgence, consumption and personal and financial pressures, Advent offers us a distinctly Christian way to approach and re-claim this time of year.

Advent marks the beginning of the church calendar, it is the Christian New Year. Let’s intentionally choose to begin the year well.

Advent is the first season in the Christian calendar and is celebrated over the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.

The title ‘Advent’ comes from the Latin word ‘adventus’ which means ‘coming’. Through this season we wait and prepare to celebrate the incarnation; God coming in to our world as a baby, 2000 years ago.

We also anticipate the second coming, when Christ will return and put all things right. We live in between these two comings.

There is a lot to love about the ‘silly season’; holidays, work parties, time with friends and family, good food and drink. However, it is also easy to find ourselves so caught up in all of this that Jesus is simply reduced to something we tag on at the end of everything else.

In a season so often marked by busy-ness, indulgence, consumption and personal and financial pressures, Advent offers us a distinctly Christian way to approach and re-claim this time of year.

Advent marks the beginning of the church calendar, it is the Christian New Year. Let’s intentionally choose to begin the year well.

This week Clem helps us to consider the Holy Spirit’s application of grace to struggling Christian communities in first century Western Turkey. While we often read Revelation with in application to some point in the future, John’s message in the book of Revelation was intended to encourage present congregational situations. This is so very relevant to each of us sent into society as “ministers of God.”

Josh preaches from Titus 2 about how God's grace is the beginning and end of the Christian life.

Graham picks up from last week speaking about how the missional imperative shapes the Christian life.

Josh speaks about how being on mission means finding new ways to make sense of God's love for people.

Ruth speaks from her life, and from the book of Ephesians about how God works in our lives to move us for his purposes.