Episodes
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Counter Cultural: Encouragement in Every Direction (1 Thess 5:12-18, Daniel Ostendorff)
Relationships are one of the greatest gifts and greatest challenges of life. First Thessalonians 5 gives believers a practical framework for encouraging one another in every direction: honoring leaders for their labor, pursuing peace even when it is costly, and actively caring for those who are...
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Counter Cultural: The Day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Andy Garcia)
No one knows when Christ will return, and every attempt to predict the timing has fallen short. First Thessalonians 5 makes clear that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night, sudden and unexpected for everyone. But for those who belong to Christ, that day is not a nightmare. It…
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Mutually Beneficial Flourishing (Jeremiah 29, Daniel Ostendorff)
God's word to the Jewish exiles in Babylon was not what they expected. Rather than promising a quick rescue, He called them to settle in, build lives, and actively seek the shalom of the very city that had taken them captive. Shalom, the Hebrew word translated as welfare or peace, carries the...
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Outdoor Service: The Decision that Changes Everything (2 Cor 5:17-21, Daniel Ostendorff)
There is an ache that many people carry, a sense that something is missing, and the Bible points to a reason: we were made to know God, and sin has created a separation between us and Him. But God did not leave that separation unaddressed. Through Jesus Christ, He made full reconciliation…
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Counter Cultural: The Anticipated Reunion (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Ryan Johnson)
The return of Jesus Christ is not a distant theological concept but a living hope that changes everything about how we face loss, hardship, and uncertainty. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Paul addresses believers who were grieving the deaths of fellow Christians and reassures them that…
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Counter Cultural: Living a Gospel-Worthy Life (1 Thess 4:9-12, Michael Krogstad)
What would your neighbors, coworkers, or classmates conclude about Jesus simply by watching your life? In 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12, Paul gives a surprisingly ordinary vision of Christian maturity built on three simple directives: love one another more and more, aspire to live quietly and mind your...
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Counter Cultural: God's Good Design (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, Daniel Ostendorff)
God created sex as a good gift, and He also designed the boundaries within which it works best. His will, as Paul describes in 1 Thessalonians 4, is our sanctification, which means being set apart and shaped more into the image of Christ. Our culture distorts sex in two directions, either…
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Counter Culture - May Day (1 Thess 3:11-13, Daniel Ostendorff)
So much of life involves waiting on outcomes we cannot force, and Scripture reminds us that dependence on God is not a weakness but a core part of the Christian life. In 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13, the apostle Paul offers three humble requests to God on behalf of the church at Thessalonica, modeling...
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Counter Culture - A Reason to be Relieved (1 Thess 3:6-10, Daniel Ostendorff)
What does it look like to hold fast to your faith when life gets hard? Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 3, Paul's overwhelming relief at hearing that the Thessalonians were still standing firm reveals what truly matters for followers of Christ. Faith and love are not optional extras; they are the...
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Counter Culture - Love Your People (1 Thess 2:17-3:5, Eric Fridge)
Most of us have hundreds of online connections but only a handful of people we would truly call in a crisis. The Apostle Paul, writing to the Thessalonians, shows us what it looks like to love people deeply rather than widely. His grief over being separated from a church he had known for only a…
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Counter Culture - Walk Worthy (1 Thess 2:9-16, Daniel Ostendorff)
First Thessalonians 2 delivers a clear and practical picture of what it means to live as a child of God. Paul calls every believer to walk in a manner worthy of God who has called them into His kingdom and glory. This is not a standard reserved for pastors or church leaders. It belongs to every...
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Counter Culture - Audience of One (Thessalonians 2, Eric Fridge)
Most of us spend more energy managing what others think of us than we realize, and it is quietly exhausting. In 1 Thessalonians 2, the Apostle Paul gives us a clear picture of what it looks like to stop living for the approval of others. After being beaten, imprisoned, and run out of multiple...
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Counter Culture - A World Turned Upside Down (1 Thess 1, Daniel Ostendorff)
Most of us think about the future without actually letting it shape how we live. First Thessalonians calls us to close that gap by living faithfully today in light of what is promised to come. The early church in Thessalonica was known throughout the region for three defining qualities: work...
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Threats to Faithfulness - Nehemiah 13 - Daniel Ostendorff
26-08-09 - Threats to Faithfulness - Nehemiah 13 - Daniel Ostendorff-podcast
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Nehemiah Series - Known by Name (Neh 11-12, Daniel Ostendorff)
You are not just a face in the crowd. God knows you personally, individually, and by name. That truth runs throughout Nehemiah 11 and 12, where over 150 individual names are recorded as a reminder that God redeems people one by one, not as a nameless group. Those names point to something even...
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Nehemiah Study - Ready to Forgive (Neh 9, Daniel Ostendorff)
No matter how many times we walk away, God remains ready to forgive. Nehemiah 9 records a powerful moment where God's people spent six hours recounting His faithfulness, His provision, and His mercy across generations. Even after repeated rebellion, God did not abandon His people. He is gracious,...
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Nehemiah Study: Understanding Leads to Joy (Neh 8, Daryl Cote)
In Nehemiah 8, thousands of people gathered together, heard God's Word read aloud for hours, wept over their sin, and then walked away filled with overwhelming joy. That journey from hearing to understanding to rejoicing is just as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. God's Word is...
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Nehemiah Study - Whom Do You Fear? - Nehemiah 6-7 - Daniel Ostendorff
Fear is one of the most powerful forces shaping our decisions, and Nehemiah chapter 6 brings that reality into sharp focus. After 52 days of relentless work and opposition, Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem completed the wall, and their enemies were left in awe, recognizing that God Himself…
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Nehemiah Study - Great Work, Great Opposition - Nehemiah 6:1-14 - Andy Garcia
God has given every believer a great work to do, and with that great work comes great opposition. The book of Nehemiah shows us three tactics the enemy uses to pull us away: distraction, discrediting, and deception. Nehemiah responded to each one by staying focused, praying for strength, and...
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Nehemiah Study - Building Something That Lasts - Nehemiah 5 - Eric Fridge
Being physically present with someone is not the same as truly being with them. Nehemiah 5 shows us what it looks like to stay genuinely engaged with the people around us, even when life is pulling us in every direction. Nehemiah heard the cries of suffering people in the middle of an enormous...
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Nehemiah Study - Dealing With Threats - Nehemiah 4 - Daniel Ostendorff
When opposition grows, it rarely comes from just one direction. In Nehemiah chapter 4, the people rebuilding Jerusalem's walls faced ridicule, the threat of violence, and discouragement from within their own ranks. These three threats follow a pattern that shows up in marriages, finances…
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VBS Sunday - Psalm 23
King David, who experienced both triumph and hardship as a shepherd boy turned king, wrote Psalm 23 to share what he learned about walking with God through all of life's seasons. When David declares "The Lord is my shepherd," he's describing a personal relationship with God who provides for our...
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Nehemiah Study - The Rallying Cry - Nehemiah 2:9-3 - Daniel Ostendorff
Nehemiah faced a massive problem when he arrived in Jerusalem to find the city walls in ruins and the people vulnerable. Rather than making assumptions from a distance, he personally inspected the damage at night to understand the full scope of the challenge. When he called the people to action…
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Nehemiah Study - Fire Response - Nehemiah 1-2.8 - Daniel Ostendorff
Nehemiah, a Persian cup bearer who had never seen Jerusalem, was heartbroken when he learned about the city's broken walls and suffering people. Instead of rushing into action, he spent months in prayer and fasting, seeking God's heart and timing. When King Artaxerxes noticed his sadness and…
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On Mission: Gods Word - What Did You Expect - Daniel Ostendorff
Life rarely goes according to plan, and Paul and Barnabas experienced this reality during their first missionary journey. Despite facing opposition in Iconium, being misunderstood and worshipped as gods in Lystra, and even being stoned and left for dead, they remained faithful to their mission....
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On Mission: Gods Word - The Mixed Reception of the Gospel - Robert Sims
When sharing the Gospel, we encounter three distinct reactions: receptive hearts that hunger for more truth, jealous opposition from those threatened by God's message, and joyful reception from those who discover they're included in God's grace. Paul and Barnabas experienced all three responses…
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On Mission: Gods Word - Everyone Everything - Daniel Ostendorff
Paul's sermon in Antioch of Pisidia demonstrates the power of the Gospel message. He masterfully connected Old Testament promises to their fulfillment in Jesus Christ, showing how God's plan unfolded through Abraham, Moses, David, and ultimately Jesus. The religious leaders missed Jesus as the...
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On Mission - God's Word - Proclaiming God's Word
God's Word has inherent power to transform lives, as seen throughout history when skeptics encounter Scripture and are changed by its truth. In Acts 12-13, we see how God's Word increases and multiplies despite persecution, how God calls specific people to share His message while the church...
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Anchored - Why Am I Here - Genesis 1.26-31
Every person struggles with the fundamental question of why they exist. The answer lies in three universal purposes that apply to everyone regardless of circumstances. First, we were created in God's image for relationship with Him - not just to know about God, but to actually know Him…
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Anchored - What is Truth? Various Scriptures
In our culture where truth is often seen as relative, the Bible reveals that truth is actually a person - Jesus Christ himself. When Jesus declared 'I am the way, the truth, and the life,' He wasn't just pointing to truth but claiming to be truth itself. God, as the original source of all...
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Anchored - Who Am I? 2 Corinthians 5.17-21
Every human being is created in God's image, making us uniquely special and set apart from all other creation. We reflect God through our morality, creativity, and spiritual longings, but sin has separated us from the relationship we were designed for. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we become new...
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Walk With Jesus - The Joy of the Resurrection - Various Scriptures
Easter isn't just another holiday - it's the celebration of the most life-changing event in history. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is historically unique and well-documented, transforming scattered, fearful disciples into men willing to die for their testimony. Because Jesus is alive today…
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Walk With Jesus - Good Friday - Various Scriptures
The crucifixion of Jesus reveals eight distinct human responses that mirror how people react to Christ today. From Judas's betrayal and Peter's denial to the crowd's mockery and the centurion's recognition, each response reflects different heart attitudes toward Jesus. Some reject Him due to…
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Walk With Jesus - Aspirations - Mark 10
James and John's request for positions of honor in Jesus' kingdom reveals how easily our hearts can be shaped by worldly desires for power and prestige rather than by our Savior's example. Despite walking with Jesus for three years, these disciples still thought like the world around them…
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Walk With Jesus - The Who and the What - Mark 8
Jesus asked his disciples the most crucial question in history: Who do you say that I am? While people today offer various answers - good teacher, prophet, or myth - Peter correctly identified Jesus as the Christ, the promised Messiah. However, when Jesus explained that being the Messiah meant...
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Walk With Jesus - Interupted - Mark 5
Life is full of interruptions that can frustrate us or reveal what truly matters. In Mark 5, Jesus shows us how to handle unexpected moments when He encounters two desperate people: Jairus, a synagogue leader whose daughter is dying, and a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. Both had...
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Walk With Jesus - The Unlikely Disciple - Mark 2.13-17
Jesus specializes in calling unlikely disciples, as demonstrated when He called Levi, a despised tax collector, to follow Him. Tax collectors were hated as traitors who got rich by extorting their own people, yet Jesus saw past Levi's reputation to his potential. When Jesus said Follow me, Levi...
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Walk With Jesus - The Invite - Mark 1.14-28
Jesus began His ministry by proclaiming that God's kingdom had arrived and calling ordinary fishermen to follow Him. Unlike traditional rabbis who waited for students to approach them, Jesus actively sought out Simon, Andrew, James, and John, inviting them to abandon their fishing careers and...
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Jonah - The Upside-down Prophet - His Heart, Not Ours - Jonah 4 - Daniel Ostendorff
Jonah's anger at God's mercy toward Nineveh reveals a heart problem we all share - wanting justice for others but mercy for ourselves. When God spared the city, Jonah became furious because he knew God was gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Through the object…
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Jonah - The Upside-down Prophet - The God That Refuses to Give Up - Jonah 3 - Eric Fridge
The story of Jonah chapter 3 reveals a God who refuses to give up on failed prophets or doomed cities. When God called Jonah a second time after his spectacular failure, there was no lecture or firing - just another opportunity to obey. This time, humbled by his experience in the fish, Jonah…
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Jonah - The Upside-down Prophet - Never Too Far Gone - Jonah 2 - Daniel Ostendorff
When life feels overwhelming and you've exhausted every option, you're not alone in your desperation. Even biblical heroes like Jonah, David, and Paul experienced deep despair and felt at the end of their rope. Jonah's story from the belly of a great fish teaches us that we are never too far gone...
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Jonah - The Upside-down Prophet - Un|Healthy Fear - Jonah 1 - Daniel Ostendorff
Fear is growing in America, but not all fear is created equal. The story of Jonah reveals the difference between healthy and unhealthy fear. Healthy fear moves us toward good decisions and keeps us safe, while unhealthy fear paralyzes us or drives us toward wrong choices. When God called Jonah to...
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Hear. Love. Live. Live It - Deuteronomy 6.8-9
Moses instructed God's people to bind His word on their hands, between their eyes, and on their doorposts and gates. These commands represent three levels of faith commitment: personal reminders for our actions, allowing God's word to shape our worldview, and public testimony through our homes…
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Hear. Love. Live. Get Close - Deuteronomy 6.6-7
Spiritual growth isn't about having the right skills or education - it's about proximity to God's Word. When Scripture shapes our thoughts, emotions, and actions, it naturally overflows into our relationships and conversations. King Josiah exemplified this transformation when he allowed God's…
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Hear. Love. Live. All In - Deuteronomy 6.5
True love for God requires complete commitment, not partial dedication. The Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 calls us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and might. This isn't about admiring God from a distance, but entering into genuine relationship with Him as your personal God. Just…
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Hear. Love. Live. Where to Start - Deuteronomy 6.4
Starting each day with the right foundation matters more than New Year's resolutions. The ancient Jewish practice of reciting the Shema - declaring that the Lord our God is one - provides a powerful daily rhythm for believers. This declaration from Deuteronomy 6:4 reminds us that God is uniquely...
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Two Views of Religion
All religions fall into two categories: self-righteousness and God's righteousness. Most religions require human effort to earn divine favor, while Christianity operates on God removing our sin so His goodness can remain in us. This distinction appears in Genesis with Cain and Abel's offerings....
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Light of the World - Christmas Eve Service
Christmas lights remind us of the true Light of the World who came to earth over 2,000 years ago. Just as God spoke light into existence at creation, He stepped into our world as Jesus Christ to pierce through spiritual darkness. The prophet Isaiah foretold that people walking in darkness would…
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Unexpected King - Week 3 - Humanity Meets the Glorious Seed of Promise - Luke 2:8-20
The Christmas story in Luke 2:8-20 reveals the fulfillment of God's first promise made in Genesis 3:15 - that He would send a Savior through the seed of a woman. When Jesus was born, God chose to announce this world-changing event to shepherds, society's outcasts who were essential yet despised.…
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Unexpected King - Week 2
The Christmas story isn't what you think! Jesus wasn't born in isolation - God orchestrated a Roman census to get Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born surrounded by family in a crowded home. Sometimes God's greatest works happen through life's most unexpected moments. What…
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About this show
The weekly sermons of Cornerstone Community Bible Church in Rosenberg, Texas. Features regular preaching from our pastor as well as local and guest speakers.
Hosted by
Cornerstone Community Bible Church
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