Cornerstone Church

Every year, we celebrate Holy Week—Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter—months prior to Christmas. It’s just how the calendar works out, but it is kind of backwards. We observe the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry before we ever commemorate his birth! But this hindsight view of Christmas-after-Easter gives us an interesting and illuminating perspective on the coming of Jesus Christ into our world. It allows us to notice signposts in the Christmas account; events pointing ahead to the new reality that Jesus would usher into the world through his life, ministry, death, and resurrection. We start to feel the first ripples of coming revolution that would change the world forever. When we filter the events of Christmas through the lens of Jesus’ inauguration of the Kingdom of God at Easter, the story of Christmas becomes more wonderful than we could ever imagine.

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It was another quiet evening in Bethlehem...until the silence of the night was split by shouts of joy from a group of shepherds. This ragtag group of men had witnessed something unbelievable—something incredible—and they had to tell everyone. And that’s how it is in the Kingdom of God...it’s so life changing that when you encounter it, you can’t help but share it.

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https://www.cornerstonechurch.info/archiveblog/until-the-whole-world-hears

Every year, we celebrate Holy Week—Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter—months prior to Christmas. It’s just how the calendar works out, but it is kind of backwards. We observe the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry before we ever commemorate his birth! But this hindsight view of Christmas-after-Easter gives us an interesting and illuminating perspective on the coming of Jesus Christ into our world. It allows us to notice signposts in the Christmas account; events pointing ahead to the new reality that Jesus would usher into the world through his life, ministry, death, and resurrection. We start to feel the first ripples of coming revolution that would change the world forever. When we filter the events of Christmas through the lens of Jesus’ inauguration of the Kingdom of God at Easter, the story of Christmas becomes more wonderful than we could ever imagine.

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Our world has systems of power—religious and secular—that have been in place for millenia. They’ve lulled humanity into the belief that their way of doing things is the way of doing things. But ideas like prestige by birth and rule by might are now nothing more than vestiges of an old world. Jesus has ushered in a new Kingdom that turns the world’s systems upside down.

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https://www.cornerstonechurch.info/archiveblog/every-knee-will-bow

Every year, we celebrate Holy Week—Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter—months prior to Christmas. It’s just how the calendar works out, but it is kind of backwards. We observe the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry before we ever commemorate his birth! But this hindsight view of Christmas-after-Easter gives us an interesting and illuminating perspective on the coming of Jesus Christ into our world. It allows us to notice signposts in the Christmas account; events pointing ahead to the new reality that Jesus would usher into the world through his life, ministry, death, and resurrection. We start to feel the first ripples of coming revolution that would change the world forever. When we filter the events of Christmas through the lens of Jesus’ inauguration of the Kingdom of God at Easter, the story of Christmas becomes more wonderful than we could ever imagine.

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The old way of thinking? Impress God. Keep His codes, commands, and regulations so that you don’t get struck down by the Almighty—and if you’re good enough, He might just bless you. But then came Christmas. And now, in the full-God revelation of Jesus Christ, we see the true reality—there’s no need to stress to impress God. He spoke it—we’re already blessed.

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https://www.cornerstonechurch.info/archiveblog/impressed-stressed-blessed

Scripture is loaded with inspiring story after inspiring story. The pages are full of ordinary men and women who do extraordinary things for the Kingdom of God. So what’s the common denominator between all of them? Their faith. The way they sidestepped temptation, they forgave like Jesus, they trusted in God’s plan...it’s awe-inspiring. And for many of us, when we read their stories of hope and trust in God, it leaves us saying: “I want that kind of faith!” One such example is Joseph, a man of God, whose story is recorded in the book of Genesis. He lived a life that was built on an immovable faith and confidence in God. And the best news of all? The kind of faith Joseph had is the kind of faith available to everyone who seeks after it.

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One of the more amazing aspects of biblical faith is that it trusts in God’s plan, even when all available evidence points to the contrary. That’s the kind of faith Joseph had. A faith that— even when thrust into slavery, prison, and certain death—said: “I still have faith in the end of my story, because I still have faith in the God who holds me.” Yeah...I want that kind of faith.

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https://www.cornerstonechurch.info/archiveblog/i-didnt-see-it-but-i-knew-it-faith

Scripture is loaded with inspiring story after inspiring story. The pages are full of ordinary men and women who do extraordinary things for the Kingdom of God. So what’s the common denominator between all of them? Their faith. The way they sidestepped temptation, they forgave like Jesus, they trusted in God’s plan...it’s awe-inspiring. And for many of us, when we read their stories of hope and trust in God, it leaves us saying: “I want that kind of faith!” One such example is Joseph, a man of God, whose story is recorded in the book of Genesis. He lived a life that was built on an immovable faith and confidence in God. And the best news of all? The kind of faith Joseph had is the kind of faith available to everyone who seeks after it.

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Forgiveness. It’s a beautiful thing. Until it becomes a personal thing. Then it’s a difficult thing. How in the world can we truly forgive those who have wronged us? Hurt us? Lied about us? There may be no more challenging aspect of the Christian faith than the call to radical forgiveness. But “that kind of faith”—a faith that forgives—is a faith we can and need to seek.

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https://www.cornerstonechurch.info/archiveblog/forgive-until-it-hurts-faith

Scripture is loaded with inspiring story after inspiring story. The pages are full of ordinary men and women who do extraordinary things for the Kingdom of God. So what’s the common denominator between all of them? Their faith. The way they sidestepped temptation, they forgave like Jesus, they trusted in God’s plan...it’s awe-inspiring. And for many of us, when we read their stories of hope and trust in God, it leaves us saying: “I want that kind of faith!” One such example is Joseph, a man of God, whose story is recorded in the book of Genesis. He lived a life that was built on an immovable faith and confidence in God. And the best news of all? The kind of faith Joseph had is the kind of faith available to everyone who seeks after it.

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Anyone can have a faith that looks good on Sundays. Hands stretched high during worship. Money put in the offering plate. Giving the pastor an “Amen!” during the sermon. But how about a faith that still looks good on Tuesday? A faith that works when temptation is high and there isn’t anyone to impress? How do we develop faith that works when no one is watching?

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https://www.cornerstonechurch.info/archiveblog/when-no-ones-looking-faith

It’s October and at Cornerstone that means one thing: It’s “How to Survive a Horror Movie” time once again! But this isn’t simply another sequel. No—we’re dealing with the concluding chapter of a trilogy. And as Randy Meeks, the horror film fanatic from the “Scream” franchise, stated, “Trilogies are a rarity in the horror field, but they do exist, and they’re a force to be reckoned with.” We couldn’t agree more. So we’re tying up this terrifying trilogy in style, as we take one last look at what to do when the movie of our life becomes a horror flick. Are you ready for a frightfully good time? Then lock your doors, grab some popcorn, turn off the lights, and join us as we find out how following Jesus always helps us survive the deadly mistakes and wrong turns in life.

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Movie after movie, sequel after sequel...Horror History repeats itself. Whether it’s deciding to split up or buying a house that’s probably haunted, protagonists in horror movies make the same mistakes over and over again. If you want to make sure you always survive a horror movie, it comes down to one thing: know horror history, or be doomed to repeat it.

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https://www.cornerstonechurch.info/archiveblog/know-horror-history-or-be-doomed-to-repeat-it

It’s October and at Cornerstone that means one thing: It’s “How to Survive a Horror Movie” time once again! But this isn’t simply another sequel. No—we’re dealing with the concluding chapter of a trilogy. And as Randy Meeks, the horror film fanatic from the “Scream” franchise, stated, “Trilogies are a rarity in the horror field, but they do exist, and they’re a force to be reckoned with.” We couldn’t agree more. So we’re tying up this terrifying trilogy in style, as we take one last look at what to do when the movie of our life becomes a horror flick. Are you ready for a frightfully good time? Then lock your doors, grab some popcorn, turn off the lights, and join us as we find out how following Jesus always helps us survive the deadly mistakes and wrong turns in life.

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If there’s ever a time you need a strong cell signal, it’s when you’re running for your life. You don’t want to face down a killer only to realize your 911 call can’t connect. So how’s your cell signal—your prayer life? Is there a good, solid connection no matter where you go? Or do you have spotty service that will let you down in the moment you need it most?

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https://www.cornerstonechurch.info/archiveblog/check-your-cell-signal

It’s October and at Cornerstone that means one thing: It’s “How to Survive a Horror Movie” time once again! But this isn’t simply another sequel. No—we’re dealing with the concluding chapter of a trilogy. And as Randy Meeks, the horror film fanatic from the “Scream” franchise, stated, “Trilogies are a rarity in the horror field, but they do exist, and they’re a force to be reckoned with.” We couldn’t agree more. So we’re tying up this terrifying trilogy in style, as we take one last look at what to do when the movie of our life becomes a horror flick. Are you ready for a frightfully good time? Then lock your doors, grab some popcorn, turn off the lights, and join us as we find out how following Jesus always helps us survive the deadly mistakes and wrong turns in life.

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You know the moment that someone starts recording a video in a horror movie, things are about to go south. It’s because the more that you focus on the camera, the less you focus on your surroundings. Many poor cameramen would still be alive if they put the camera down and paid attention in the moment—a lesson that many of us would do well to heed.

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https://www.cornerstonechurch.info/archiveblog/stop-the-recording

It’s October and at Cornerstone that means one thing: It’s “How to Survive a Horror Movie” time once again! But this isn’t simply another sequel. No—we’re dealing with the concluding chapter of a trilogy. And as Randy Meeks, the horror film fanatic from the “Scream” franchise, stated, “Trilogies are a rarity in the horror field, but they do exist, and they’re a force to be reckoned with.” We couldn’t agree more. So we’re tying up this terrifying trilogy in style, as we take one last look at what to do when the movie of our life becomes a horror flick. Are you ready for a frightfully good time? Then lock your doors, grab some popcorn, turn off the lights, and join us as we find out how following Jesus always helps us survive the deadly mistakes and wrong turns in life.

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You can want to survive a horror movie all day long - but if you run up the stairs instead of out the house when you’re chased by the killer? Yeah, you’re not likely to live to see the sequel. And the same is true in our lives. You can want a happy ending for your movie, but if you’re making daily choices that will lead to regret and ruin—guess where you’ll end up?

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https://www.cornerstonechurch.info/archiveblog/out-the-house-not-up-the-stairs