on the Cornerstone - Cornerstone Community Church

Advent - TellGo Tell It On The Mountains!

Let them shout for joy from the tops of the mountains.
 Let them give glory to the LORD and declare His praise in the coastlands. Isaiah 42:11-12

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9

Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere Go, tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching O’er silent flocks by night Behold throughout the heavens There shone a holy light.

The shepherds feared and trembled, When lo! Above the earth, Rang out the angels chorus That hailed the Savior’s birth.

Down in a lowly manger The humble Christ was born And God sent us salvation That blessed Christmas morn.

Answering the great questions of life

Origin – Where did I come from?

Meaning – Why am I here?

Morality – How do understand what is right or wrong?

Destiny – What happens to me when I die?

Living Ready

Ready to see Jesus!

Ready to face the world, to occupy until He comes.

Ready to respond to life “in season and out of season.”

Ready to make a defense for my faith.

Ready to give an answer for the hope dwelling within me.

Ready to face the world as Jesus’ ambassador.

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Christianity has changed our world for the good!

God is Creator

God is love

God is with us

God’s wisdom is life

Humanity is God’s design

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:5

Advent - Know

Mary, did you know?Isaiah 9:6-7

The Light Has ComeAdvent Candles

1st Prophecy – Hope

2nd Bethlehem – Faith

3rd Shepherd – Joy

4th Angel – Love

5th The Christ – Anointed

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased. Luke 2:10-14

And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. Luke 2:21-32

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?This Child that you've delivered will soon deliver you.Mary, did you know?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm the storm with his hand?Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?And when you kiss your little baby you kiss the face of God.Mary did you know?

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?This sleeping child you're holding is the Great I Am

There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:7

Advent - O Come!

A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. Luke 2:25-32

O come, O come, Immanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.

Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel

Immanuel Has Come

Romans 8:23 — We still “groan within ourselves”

1 Corinthians 1:7— We still “wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ”

1 Thessalonians 1:10 — We still wait for final deliverance “from the wrath to come”

Galatians 5:5 — We still “wait for the hope of righteousness”

Already and Not Yet!

Ephesians 1:7-8; 4:30

2 Corinthians 6:2-10

“The Christian life oscillates between these two poles: the overflowing joy of the “already” redeemed and the tearful yearning of the “not-yet” redeemed. Not that we ever leave the one or the other in this life. We are “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” – John Piper –

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:
Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, 
and she will call His name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

The Messianic Titles

O Sapentia (Wisdom)

O Adonai (God)

O Radix Jesse (Stem or root of Jesse)

O Clavis David (Key of David)

O Oriens (Dayspring)

O Rex genitium (King of the Gentiles)

O Emmanuel (God with us)

This Latin acronym S.A.R.C.O.R.E.

Read in reverse is ERO CRAS = “I will be with you tomorrow”

O come, O come, Immanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

O come, O Wisdom from on high, who ordered all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show and teach us in its ways to go.

O come, O come, great Lord of might, who to your tribes on Sinai's height in ancient times did give the law in cloud and majesty and awe.

O come, O Branch of Jesse's stem, unto your own and rescue them! From depths of hell your people save, and give them victory o'er the grave.

O come, O Key of David, come and open wide our heavenly home. Make safe for us the heavenward road and bar the way to death's abode.

O come, O Bright and Morning Star, and bring us comfort from afar! Dispel the shadows of the night and turn our darkness into light.

O come, O King of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind. Bid all our sad divisions cease and be yourself our King of Peace.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:5

Advent Candles - The Light has come

1st Prophecy – Hope

2nd Bethlehem – Faith

3rd Shepherd – Joy

4th Angel – Love

5th The Christ – Anointed

Advent - Hark!

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased. Luke 2:14

Joy To The World
Psalm 98

Last Sunday we considered this Christmas carol as Isaac Watts “imitation” of the last half of Psalm 98

This Psalm is a call to Praise the Lord for His Righteousness

G.K. Chesterton - “The serious business of heaven is joy”

Hark The Herald Angels Sing

Originally titled “Hymn for Christmas Day”

Written in 10 short stanzas

By Charles Wesley in 1739

Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.



Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th' angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Hark! the herald angels sing,“Glory to the new-born King!”Christ, by highest heaven adored:Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold him come,Offspring of the favored one.Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;Hail, th'incarnate Deity: Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Hark! the herald angels sing,“Glory to the new-born King!”Hail! the heaven-born Prince of peace!Hail! the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings,Risen with healing in his wingsMild he lays his glory by,Born that man no more may die: Born to raise the son of earth, Born to give them second birth.Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King!”

Come, Desire of Nations, comeFix in Us thy humble HomeRise, the Woman’s Conqu’ring SeedBruise in Us the Serpent’s Head Now display thy saving Pow’rRuin’d Nature now restoreNow in Mystic Union joinThine to Ours, and Ours to Thine

Adam’s Likeness, LORD, effaceStamp thy Image in its PlaceSecond Adam from aboveReinstate us in thy Love Let us Thee, tho’ lost, regainThee, the Life, the Inner ManOh! to All Thyself impartForm’d in each Believing Heart

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:5

Advent - JoySeason of Advent

Joy To The World

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

Psalm 98

This Christmas carol is Isaac Watts “imitation” of the last half of Psalm 98

This Psalm is a call to Praise the Lord for His Righteousness

The music is from George Fredrick Handel

Joy To The World, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy To The World, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Mary’s Joy

And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38

Mary’s Joy = “may it be done to me according to your word.”

This is called a “fiat” from = “let it be done”

A fiat is an arbitrary/uncertain or authoritative command or order to do something; an effectual decree. (i.e. A royal fiat or a presidential fiat)

It is an authorization, permission or (official) sanction. (i.e. A government fiat or to rule by fiat.)

Luke 1:35

“The angel’s fiat – “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.”

Blaise Pascal “Not only do we only know God through Jesus Christ, we only know ourselves through Jesus Christ; we only know life and death through Jesus Christ. Apart from Jesus Christ we cannot know the meaning of our life or death, of God or ourselves.”

Grateful For The Fleas

I love the LORD, because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live. Psalm 116:1-2

I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart, I will enter His courts with praise,
I will say this is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice for He has made me glad. Psalm 100

To You I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and call upon the name of the LORD. Psalm 116:17

Rejoice always; 
pray without ceasing; 
in everything give thanks;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

Rekindle a heart of gratitude

For God remedy for our failures – Genesis 3:15

For God’s light—His truth in our lives

For God’s grace in the storms of life

For Jesus’ church

For the people who make a difference

Count your blessings!

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
 Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes;
 Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears; 
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean; 
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth;
 Count on God instead of yourself.

Living Ready - Part 4

No Victory without a Battle No Testimony without a test!

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this? John 11:25-25

Real Life

Acts 14:19-23

“Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

Real life includes:

Trials & Tests

Difficulties & Tribulations

Irritations & Frustrations

Mysteries & Monsters

Romans 8:28

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

“The man who has not suffered, what does he know anyway?” --- Rabbi Abraham Heschel

“Never trust a Christian leader who does not walk with a limp.” --- A.W. Tozer

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence 1 Peter 3:15

Living Ready - Part 3

Matthew 5:13-16

Salt of the earth

Light of the World

The Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking,
but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17

Matthew 5:1-12

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the gentle,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall bne called sons of God.

Blessed are those who have been persecuted
for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence 1 Peter 3:15

Living Ready - Part 2

Selected by the Father
Sprinkled by the Son
Sealed by the Holy Spirit Ephesians 1:1-8

Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence 1 Peter 3:15

4 Propositions

God exists

God is all powerful

God is all-good

Evil exists

What many believe!

The Church is an organized religion with a political agenda.

The Church is judgmental and negative.

The Church is dominated by males and oppresses females.

The Church is homophobic.

The Church arrogantly claims all other religions are wrong.

The Church is full of fundamentalists who take the whole Bible literally.

“Sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart”

Be ready to prove zealous for what is good.

Be ready to suffer for the sake of righteousness.

Be ready to be bold and fearless in the face of their rejection.

Be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you.

Re ready, stay filled with the Holy Spirit, so you will answer with gentleness and reverence.

Be ready to “keep a good conscience.”

Living Ready

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. Revelation 22:16-17

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20

The Rapture of the Church

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren”

1 Corinthians 15:50-52

“Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet”

Luke 19:11-12 “Occupy until I come”

Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence 1 Peter 3:15