Pastor Mark Vance reflects on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and helps us think biblically about how to posture our hearts in a time of political violence. Mark calls Christians to pray, to speak with wisdom, and to embody Christlike character in our public and private conversations.

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Does watching The Chosen violate the Second Commandment? In this episode, Mark Vance and Emily Jensen continue their journey through the Ten Commandments by digging into the second commandment.

They discuss how this command calls us to worship the true God in the true way, what it means in a culture filled with media and art, and why our hearts are so easily drawn toward substitutes. Along the way, they reflect on The Chosen, Christian media, and how to discern what helps or hinders genuine worship.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 — Introducing the second commandment
• 03:20 — The conversation about The Chosen and Christian media
• 09:45 — What “graven images” meant in the Old Testament context
• 15:30 — How images and idols distort true worship
• 21:50 — Where Christian art can serve faith versus distract from it
• 28:40 — Practical ways to keep God at the center of worship today

Resources:

• Cornerstone Church Sermons
• Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods

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What is an idol, really? In this episode, Mark Vance and Emily Jensen continue the Ten Commandments series by looking at God’s command to have no other gods before him. Together, they unpack what idolatry means, why it’s more than statues or images, and how it shows up in the everyday loves and pursuits of our lives.

Drawing from Scripture and voices like Tim Keller, they discuss how easily good things become ultimate things, why our hearts are prone to wander, and how God calls us to a better love—a love rooted in Him alone.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 — Introducing the commandment against idolatry
• 04:30 — What an idol really is: taking the verbs of life away from God
• 11:10 — How good things become “god things”
• 17:45 — Insights from Tim Keller’s Counterfeit Gods on modern idolatry
• 24:20 — How God’s commands redirect our love back to Him
• 30:00 — Practical ways to identify and confront idols today

Resources:

• Cornerstone Church Sermons
• Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods
• Elyse Fitzpatrick, “Idols of the Heart”

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How can something so old speak with so much power today? In this conversation, Mark and Emily look at the heart behind the current teaching series at Cornerstone, why God gave these commands, and how they point us toward a life of freedom with him. Together, they talk about connecting God’s truth to everyday life and share how this series is meant to shape us as a church family.

Episode Highlights:

• (00:00)  Cornerstone is focusing on the Ten Commandments this fall
• (04:15) The greater discipleship plan behind the series
• (10:40) How the Ten Commandments reveal God’s character and design for life
• (18:05) Why these “ancient words” are still essential for today’s world
• (25:30) How Equip will help you dive deeper each week

Resources:

• Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen online
• Risen Motherhood
• Emily’s Books

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What does it look like to be deeply rooted in Christ in a world of cultural chaos? Pastor Mark Vance is joined by Emily Jensen, the new co-host of the Equip Podcast, to share her story and introduce a new season of Equip focused on the Ten Commandments.

Show Notes:
In this conversation, Emily shares her journey of faith—from growing up in church, to walking away during college, to surrendering her life to Christ in a Starbucks. She also talks about meeting her husband Brad, raising five kids, and the surprising ways God has provided for their family.

Together, Mark and Emily reflect on the story behind her podcast, Risen Motherhood, and why connecting biblical truth to everyday life matters. They also preview Cornerstone Church’s fall teaching series on the Ten Commandments and how Equip will dig deeper each week: asking the practical questions that come up in the car ride home.

Highlights in This Episode:

• (04:55) Emily’s journey of faith and the pivotal moment she cried out to God
• (09:59) The story of moving to Ames and raising five kids
• (15:42) How Risen Motherhood began and reached moms around the world
• (20:39) Why the Ten Commandments are more than “rules”—they reveal God’s heart and design for freedom

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about Emily Jensen and purchase her books here.
• Connect with Cornerstone Church Online at cornerstonelife.com. 
• Subscribe to our "Sermon" and "Equip" podcasts on iTunes and Spotify and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Episode 288 - 21 Days of Prayer: Fasting, hosted by Mark Vance.

From 8/3-8/24, Cornerstone Church is setting aside 21 Days devoted to Kingdom Centered prayer. Fasting and Prayer are deeply connected in Scripture and in the practice of the church. What is fasting? Why do we fast? How do we fast?

This podcast is designed to help you live a faithful and fruitful life where Jesus has called you. Connect with Cornerstone Church Online at cornerstonelife.com. Subscribe to our "Sermon" and "Equip" podcasts on iTunes and Spotify and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Episode 287 - 21 Days of Prayer: Prayer Boosters, hosted by Mark Vance.

 From 8/3-8/24, Cornerstone Church is setting aside 21 Days devoted to Kingdom Centered prayer. In this podcast, we cover several prayer boosting tools that can help to focus and sharpen your time in prayer. 

This podcast is designed to help you live a faithful and fruitful life where Jesus has called you. Connect with Cornerstone Church Online at cornerstonelife.com. Subscribe to our "Sermon" and "Equip" podcasts on iTunes and Spotify and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Episode 286 - 21 Days of Prayer: What is Intercessory Prayer?, hosted by Mark Vance.

From 8/3-8/24, Cornerstone Church is setting aside 21 Days devoted to Kingdom Centered prayer. What is "intercessory" prayer? What are the key principles that can shape our prayers for God's Kingdom work?

This podcast is designed to help you live a faithful and fruitful life where Jesus has called you. Connect with Cornerstone Church Online at cornerstonelife.com. Subscribe to our "Sermon" and "Equip" podcasts on iTunes and Spotify and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Episode 285 - Liberal Christianity is NOT Christianity, hosted by Mark Vance.

We often see churches who claim Christ, but teach very different doctrines and moral values. Where did the "liberal" church in North America come from and what can we learn from its departure from historic Christianity?

This podcast is designed to help you live a faithful and fruitful life where Jesus has called you. Connect with Cornerstone Church Online at cornerstonelife.com. Subscribe to our "Sermon" and "Equip" podcasts on iTunes and Spotify and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Episode 284 - Bitterness and Family Brokenness, hosted by Mark Vance.

How can a necessary reflection on generational sins of our family avoid the trap of getting stuck in bitterness?

This podcast is designed to help you live a faithful and fruitful life where Jesus has called you. Connect with Cornerstone Church Online at cornerstonelife.com. Subscribe to our "Sermon" and "Equip" podcasts on iTunes and Spotify and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Ask Mark a Question!

Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!