Cornerstone Church - Bethalto, IL

Why do Christians celebrate Communion, and what do the bread and cup represent? In Luke 22:7–20, Jesus shares the Passover meal with His disciples and gives new meaning to this ancient tradition. In this message, we explore three important aspects of Communion: **Preparation, Presence, and Promise**. Discover how Communion reminds us of Christ’s sacrifice, brings us together in His presence, and points us toward the future fulfillment of God’s kingdom.

Why do Christians practice water baptism, and what does it mean? In Romans 6:1–5, Paul connects baptism to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But the imagery of passing through water stretches all the way back to creation. From Noah’s flood to the Red Sea and the Jordan River, Scripture repeatedly reveals God’s power to bring life where death threatens. In this message, we explore the biblical significance of baptism, why we practice it, and how it publicly declares […]

Why do we sing, clap, or raise our hands in worship? And is worship more than just the songs we sing on Sunday morning? In this opening message of our What Does This Mean? series, we explore Psalm 95 and its invitation to sing, bow, and listen. We discover that worship is more than an outward expression of praise. It’s a response to who God is that leads us to humble surrender, trust, and obedience in every area of life.

In the final message of our Pathways series, we look at Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28:16–20. Jesus entrusted the work of making disciples to imperfect people who were still learning to follow Him. And He gave them the promise of His presence as they went. Making disciples is more than sharing our faith in a single conversation. It’s about sharing our lives, helping others learn to follow Jesus, and walking alongside them as they grow. Throughout this series, we’ve […]

In the Pathways series, we’re reminded that everyone has a next step as we continue walking with Jesus. In this message from John 15:9–17, we see that Jesus calls us to abide in His love and to love others as He has loved us. His love is not merely something we receive. It shapes how we live and how we give ourselves away for others. When we love as Jesus loves, our lives bear fruit that lasts.

What does it mean to live a fruitful life? In John 15:1-8, Jesus describes Himself as the vine and His followers as the branches. Rather than beginning with what we do for Jesus, He calls us first to remain in Him. As we abide in Jesus and allow His words to shape us, fruit grows from our lives. Being with Jesus shapes what we do for Jesus. This message is part of our Pathways series, exploring the next steps we […]

In “The Ultimate Plan,” guest speaker Dr. Bob Eby explores Moses’ struggle in Numbers 11 and God’s response to an overwhelmed leader. God’s plan was bigger than empowering a select few. From Moses’ longing that all God’s people would receive the Spirit to the fulfillment of that promise at Pentecost, God’s desire has always been to empower His people for His purposes. The Holy Spirit is not just for pastors or leaders. God wants to fill and use every believer […]

In Luke 5, Simon Peter learns that Jesus knows far more than he could ever understand when Jesus calls him to let down his nets after a night of unsuccessful fishing. Through this miraculous catch, Peter discovers that Jesus not only has the power to meet his greatest needs, but also steps into his brokenness, pays the debt of his sin, and calls him into relationship and purpose. Like Peter, we are invited to trust the voice of Jesus even […]

In this message from the Pathways series, we continue exploring what it means to Grow with the Church. In Romans 12:3–8, Paul reminds us to see ourselves clearly, know that we belong, and use what God has given us for the good of the whole. The church isn’t a place where our value is determined by how we compare to others. In Christ, we belong to one body, and each of us has something to contribute. We don’t serve to […]

Following Jesus was never meant to be an isolated experience. In Acts 2:42-47, the early believers shared their devotion to Jesus, their resources, their lives, and their witness with one another. Their example shows us that the Church is more than a gathering we attend. It is a family in which we learn together, pray together, care for one another, and point others to Jesus. Following Jesus means sharing life with His people.