Cornerstone Church

We have a guiding mindset at Cornerstone: “Is Jesus at the center?” We believe Christ is the fullest revelation of God—which means our theology, worship, mission, and relationships all orbit around Him. Churches lose their way whenever Jesus is replaced with preferences, personalities, or agendas. But when Christ is central—everything else finds its proper place.

Church isn’t for people who have it all figured out—it’s for people who are still wrestling. At Cornerstone, we’re not afraid of doubt, failure, questions, or messy stories because Jesus never avoided broken people...He moved toward them. We believe honesty is safer than pretending and that nobody stands on the outside looking in when grace is at the center.

Social media has expanded the reach of comparison beyond anything previous generations could’ve ever imagined. We measure ourselves not just against our neighbors—but against an infinite feed of filtered success and curated joy. That kind of comparison pulls us towards inferiority or superiority—and neither reflects the identity we’re given in Christ.

We assume we’re informed—but most of us are only seeing half the story. Algorithms work to confirm our fears, preferences, and assumptions—while filtering out anything that might challenge us. We’re in parallel worlds where people live side-by-side but don’t understand each other. How can followers of Jesus live faithfully in a world that keeps pulling us apart?

Social media has erased the space between thought and speech. What used to be filtered through wisdom, prayer, and relationship now goes straight from the heart to the screen. Our darkest, most reactive thoughts no longer have to mature before being shared. With the press of a button, they’re public and permanent—doing more damage than we know.

If you were Jesus—what would you have done first thing on Easter morning all those years ago? Most likely your answer and my answer would both look a whole lot different than what Jesus decided to do. But it’s those first actions Jesus took after the Resurrection that tell us so much about the heart of God—and the implications affect all followers of Jesus today.

When people respond to God with open hearts? Jesus moves among them. So our role as His followers is to prepare the way for others so they can encounter Him for themselves. Every invitation and every gesture towards Jesus creates space for life-changing encounters—clearing the way to the Cross so people can encounter Jesus for themselves.

Following Jesus isn’t confined to a singular moment—it truly is a way of life. All interactions and each space we occupy can be a mission field. Our schools, our workplaces, our communities…they are the harvest fields. We must shake ourselves out of the mundane and live with intention—seeing every day as an opportunity to point others toward Jesus.

Here’s an all-important truth to remember—you don’t need all of the answers to impact someone else’s life. Our personal experiences and testimony? They carry immense power. When we courageously share how God moves in our lives, our experiences can illuminate the way for others, breaking through barriers that logic and words alone cannot reach.

Sharing the Gospel doesn’t require complex strategies—in fact? Sometimes it all begins with just two words: “Come & See!” There is incredible power in a personal invitation. We see that lives are changed when we step out and extend an authentic, simple call to encounter Jesus. It’s these small acts that open doors and lead to total transformation.

The relentless love and pursuit of our Heavenly Father is drawn to those who are apart from Him. That’s why evangelism begins with compassion, not guilt—and when our hearts align with His? We begin to see people as He does...worthy of pursuit, care, and hope. When we experience God’s love for the lost? It alters everything about how we see and reach others.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus felt the full weight of His calling—and He still said yes. Some moments in life come with an unmistakable heaviness, not because God has left us, but because He’s inviting us into something costly. Obedience isn’t easy, but it’s holy. And feeling the weight of the moment? It looks like embracing a cross before you see a crown.

Jesus wept over Jerusalem because the God they followed had arrived in their midst, but they didn’t recognize Him. It’s possible to be surrounded by the activity of God and still miss it. Spiritual blindness and distraction can keep us from noticing what God is doing right in front of us. Refuse to let busyness or unbelief rob you of the moments that matter most.

When God shows up, it’s never lightweight. His presence always carries significant weight—the glory that humbles, stills, and transforms us. To live aware of that glory means not treating God casually but responding with awe and reverence. Feeling the weight of the moment begins when His greatness replaces our indifference, and His presence puts everything in its place.

We live surrounded by divine moments—but many of us sleep through them. Jacob didn’t recognize God’s presence until after the encounter was over. Waking up spiritually means learning to see that God is already in our midst. The first step to feeling the weight of the moment is realizing that this moment—the moment you’re in right now—is holy ground.

The way you SEE determines the way you LIVE. Two people can face the same situation and see completely different possibilities. Perspective turns obstacles into opportunities and pressure into purpose. As we head into the new year, we must remember that we can’t always change our circumstances, but we can let God change how we see and face them.

Big changes don’t come from big moments. Big changes come from small, consistent steps. There is spiritual power in rhythms and repetition. What you do daily? It determines who you become permanently. Scripture calls it faithfulness. Modern language calls it discipline. Either way, habits are holy ground—it’s our habits that shape the life God is building in us.

You can’t do everything—but you can do the right things. It’s our priorities that either drive our growth or drain it. When everything matters, nothing does, and most of us are running hard in the wrong direction. Jesus said: “Seek first the kingdom” because order determines outcome. So if you want to make this year your year? It starts with putting first things first.

Everyone wants a better year, but few of us stop to define what “better” actually means. So what actually makes a year great? And not in our eyes—but in the eyes of the One who matters most—God’s eyes? Spoiler: it’s not comfort or ease. It’s alignment with Him. Before we set goals, we need to set direction. A great year starts when we let God write the story.

The birth of Jesus is the embodiment of God’s love—selfless, sacrificial, and unfailing. This love changes everything...calling us not only to receive it but also to reflect it in how we live. Jesus came into the night to show us that God’s love—when properly understood— compels us to go into the night ourselves...shining His light in a world desperate for love.

Because of Jesus’ arrival into our night, we can have joy—a true and deep satisfaction—that transcends pain, disappointment, and waiting. Joy from God doesn’t depend on our own situation...it flows from the unchanging goodness of God. We can know the joy Jesus brings when He steps into our situation...turning waiting into rejoicing and sorrow into worship.

Amid the chaos—God’s peace breaks through. That’s what happened over 2,000 years ago when Jesus came into the night…He brought peace to a restless world. A deep and lasting calm that comes from knowing we are held by God. And it’s that peace that comes only from King Jesus that can guard our hearts, calm our fears, and transform our relationships.

Hope is more than wishful thinking—it’s the ability to see past our darkest moments. And that’s exactly what Jesus enters into our night to bring us—hope. The confident expectation that God’s promises are actually true and that no matter how dark the night gets, His light will not be overcome. Advent is a season of waiting with hope, trusting that God is at work.

This is the moment. Not to play it safe or sit on the sidelines. It’s the moment to rise up and move forward in bold, audacious faith. God is calling Cornerstone to take ground—not for our name, but for His Kingdom. We’re stepping out, believing big, and claiming territory in our city. Our neighborhood belongs to King Jesus—and we’re here to make that fact known.

Vision without any kind of sacrifice is simply a dream. So the honest truth is that anything worthwhile—especially expanding the Kingdom of God—always costs something...our time, our comfort, our resources, our convenience. If we want to see victory in our spheres of influence—we’ve got to be willing to put skin in the game. How far will we be willing to go?

Before we can take ground? We have to see the ground. We want God to open our eyes—to see our city the way He sees our city. The brokenness, yes—but also the potential, the people, the purpose. Our vision shouldn’t just be about our future as a church—it should be about the future of our city. So the question is: “Are we ready to see how God sees?”

For many of us the phrase “The Lord works in mysterious ways...” has become a default explanation for everything from the confusing to the tragic. It’s what we’re told when we don’t get the job, when a friend passes away, or when a relationship ends. In those moments, we need help and clarity—but…our God only works in obscurity? But what if that wasn’t true? What if God isn’t trying to be mysterious? What if He actually wants His children to know His voice, sense His direction, and walk confidently in His will? While God may work in many ways, He is not distant or cryptic. He speaks through His Word, His Spirit, His people—and He wants you to hear Him. Don’t settle for mystery when you can get clarity.

Are ghosts real? What about demons? Do we live in a world filled with spiritual forces beyond what we can see? In this message, we’ll tackle the supernatural and explore how the Bible teaches us to understand and respond to the unseen world—without fear.

Hell is a topic most people avoid. Why? Well, it’s obvious—because it feels too harsh, it’s too mysterious, and it’s way too terrifying. But Jesus didn’t avoid the subject. In fact, Jesus regularly warned us about Hell with compassion. Scripture shows us that it’s vital to know what Hell is, why it matters, and how God’s justice and mercy intersect in powerful ways.

Death is the Great Unknown—the thing we avoid thinking about, but cannot escape. “What happens when we die? Is it really the end? What’s it feel like to pass away?” All good questions…and honestly? We don’t get a ton of clear, specific answers. So what can we truly know about death—and most importantly—how can we lose fear of the Great Unknown?

Every generation has wondered if they're living in the end times. From Nostradmus to the Mayans—we’re obsessed with and terrified at the concept of the end of the world. But what does Jesus actually have to say about the end of the world? By studying His words we can see how we can live with peace and purpose no matter what the future has in store.

We may laugh at superstitions, but many of us keep rituals or habits…just in case. Whether it’s horoscopes, lucky numbers, or avoiding black cats—superstition creeps in when we feel out of control. But God offers something far better—a life rooted in Christ and not in fear. And it’s faith and confidence in Jesus that frees us from the need to control the Unknown.

We’ve all heard the phrase: “History is written by the winners.” But what happens when the Enemy tries to rewrite your story? Satan works to spin a version of your past that keeps you stuck in shame, guilt, and fear. He’s the Ultimate Revisionist—twisting truth, accusing relentlessly, and convincing us that our identity is forever defined by our worst chapters. But God sees your story differently. In Jesus, your past is redeemed, your identity is rewritten, and your future is safe. You’re not who you were. You’re who God says you are.

Jacob spent his life on the run—from people, from conflict, and from his own brokenness. But one night, alone and desperate, he wrestled with God—and walked away with a limp. It was in that weakness that he was renamed and reshaped. Did you know that your greatest leadership may not come from your strength—but from the place you’ve been wounded?

Paul had something in his life that he wanted gone—a thorn in the flesh. He pleaded with God to remove it, but God’s response was clear: “My power is made perfect in weakness.” What if we stopped resenting our weaknesses and started partnering with God in them? The very thing that you think disqualifies you may be what God reveals His power through.

Sadly, Christians have been experts in giving love that looks and sounds like everything but love. We create a definition of love that justifies coldness, distance, and cruelty. But the love Jesus modeled was full of both grace and truth—not one at the expense of the other. We must confront our distorted definitions of love and rediscover what true love looks like.

Here’s the truth of the matter—following Jesus will cost you something. And oftentimes? It’s a cost we’re not willing to pay. Honestly...are you willing to be misunderstood? To love people who may never love you? To put your preferences aside so others can meet Jesus? Or will you settle for a faith of loopholes—a faith only going as far as your comfort zone?

Something is happening at Cornerstone. You can feel in worship services. You can see it in our groups. You can hear it in our stories. We’re experiencing a moment—God is at work, and His moves are undeniable. So what now? How do we manage this moment and partner with God to turn it into a movement—one that will help advance the Kingdom in our city?

At the end of his letter, Paul gives more than just farewells—he gives a charge: “Guard the unity of the Church.” His warning? Division and false teaching are real threats. Unity doesn’t mean uniformity—it means staying rooted in truth, loving one another well, and refusing to let secondary issues divide what Jesus died to unite. Unity isn’t optional. It’s mission critical.

What does a Spirit-led life actually look like? Paul gives a portrait of a life that is not about rigid rule-keeping, but about a transformed heart that overflows with love, humility, and grace. Living by the Spirit means offering ourselves as living sacrifices, serving others with joy, and overcoming evil with good. And it means letting love—not law—shape our lives.

When it looks like the story isn’t going as planned, we can wonder: “Has God changed His mind?” But Paul reminds us that God doesn’t forget His promises or abandon His people. He is not random or reactive. He is intentional, faithful, and sovereign. What He starts, He finishes. His promises don’t expire, and His plans don’t fail. Our God always keeps His word.

In Adam, we’re stuck—slaves to sin, bound by the law, and headed for death. But in Jesus?  Everything changes. We have freedom to live how we were meant to live—as true image bearers of God, filled with the Holy Spirit, walking in victory, and secured by grace. No more chains and no more regret. It’s a new day, and we’ve got a new identity—and it ain't Adam!

Salvation isn’t something that we earn—and neither is the transformation that follows. Paul makes it clear...righteousness doesn’t come by effort, heritage, or performance. No—right standing with God comes by faith. That means that there’s no room for boasting in the Gospel—only room for us to agree with what Jesus says is true and to trust in His work. Scriptures Romans 3 & 4

In the opening chapter of Romans, Paul paints a picture of a world spiraling into sin—and the religious crowd who nods along in agreement. They see the World and say: “It’s those people who are the problem.” Now here we are—2,000 years later with the same mindset. But what if the problem that lies in the World also happens to live within each of us, too? Scriptures Romans 1 & 2

The Church is the ongoing chapter of the Story of Scripture where we get to play a part! We are now the body of Christ, called to spread the Gospel, love one another, and bring God’s Kingdom. Though we’re living in the "now" of God’s story, the work isn’t finished. Each of us has a role to play in advancing God's purpose until the final, glorious chapter of restoration. Scriptures Matthew 16:13-18

Jesus of Nazareth—the climax of God’s plan of redemption. In Jesus, all of God’s promises, prophecies, and hopes of the Old Testament find their fulfillment. Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the perfect Son of God who came to save humanity from sin and death. Jesus is the turning point of the story where God’s rescue operation meets its powerful conclusion. Scriptures Jeremiah 31:31-34 & John 1:1-5

After the Fall, God chose a people to reveal His heart and His plan for redemption—Israel. Through this nation, God would demonstrate His faithfulness, show the world His holiness, and foreshadow the coming of the Savior. Israel’s journey points to the ultimate hope: a Messiah who would bring true freedom and restore mankind’s split relationship with God. Scriptures Genesis 12:1-3

The Fall...the moment everything broke. Humanity was created to rule with God, but in a tragic act of rebellion, we chose sin over Him. That choice shattered creation, bringing separation from God. But even in the Fall, there was a whisper of hope—a promise that one day, a Rescuer would come to crush evil, break our chains, and restore what was lost. Scriptures Genesis 3:1-13

Betrayal, criticism, and unspoken expectations can take a toll on pastors. And if we’re not  careful, resentment creeps in. We’re called to forgive, but some wounds are hard to let go. And bitterness is a poison that doesn’t just affect pastors—it affects anyone who lets unresolved issues fester. But Jesus offers a better way—of not holding on, but of letting go. Scriptures Colossians 3:8 & 12-13

It’s easy to put pastors on a pedestal...but the truth? We struggle with sin just like everyone else. We fight pride, impatience, and unhelpful thoughts we wish we didn’t have. The title “pastor” doesn’t make us immune to temptation or failure. But the good news is, our hope isn’t in our own righteousness—it’s in Jesus. None of us is excluded…we all need His mercy. Scriptures Romans 3:10-24