Many times, our faith deteriorates as our circumstances deteriorate. When that happens, our faith is quickly overcome by fear, and the future looks dark. The apostle Peter experienced this, and he temporarily fled his faith in Jesus. – Andy Stanley
Tag: love
You’re not far, part 5: Leading strong in troubled Times
Fear invites us to follow the path of self-preservation. However, if we follow that path long enough, we will neither preserve nor have anything to show for our lives. The original disciples of Jesus had the same tendencies at times. On one occasion, Jesus reminded them of what it means to follow him by saying four powerful words that still apply to his followers today.
You’re not far, Part 4: How to Avoid Being A Hypocritical Christian
From an early age, we learn quickly to look for loopholes in the rules. We try to figure out what we can get away with and still be okay. We tend to take this same mindset into our relationship with God, but it doesn’t work. When we opt for loopholes and workarounds, we find ourselves in a category no one wants to be in: hypocrites. Jesus calls us to move beyond loophole religion. – Andy Stanley
You’re not far, Part 3: The Difference Between Jesus And Religion
Jesus reminds us that when we focus on the law, we can forget the purpose of the law. Andy brings out the distinct difference between Jesus and religion.
Getting Out
This week, as we take a look at Exodus, we see the Israelite’s getting out of bondage. This reveals three key analogous interactions with God as revealed by Christianity.
- What are we getting out of?
- How are we getting out of it?
- Why are we getting out of it?
Tim Keller draws connections between the old and the new testament.
Led By Him
In Psalm 23 we read how Davids leans into God for steadiness in joy and sorrow.
As a community we are going through many struggles. Together we pray and lift each up to focus on the guidance and peace God gives.
Quitters
The words used to describe Christians today often bear no resemblance to the one word Jesus wanted his followers to be known for. What would it look like if, for one day, we got it right? What if we as Christians embodied this one word? In this message, Andy challenges us to change the name and reputation of Christianity by becoming a group of followers characterized by this one thing. LOVE.
Link to Quitters Sermon from North Point
Author Anne Rice (Called Out of Darkness: A Spiritual Confession) has a powerful personal story about her relationship with Jesus. She grew up in the church, but left it as a young adult. In her fifties, she rejected her decades-long atheism and returned to church…for ten years. And then she made this announcement on her Facebook page:
“Today I quit being a Christian. I’m out. I remain committed to Christ as always but not to being “Christian” or to being part of Christianity. It’s simply impossible for me to “belong” to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group.”
Rice’s statement stirred controversy, but let’s be honest: the idea that Christians can be quarrelsome, hostile, and disputatious isn’t exactly surprising. How is it that people like Anne Rice—people devoted to Jesus—sometimes feel driven from Christianity? Why are there Christians on all sides of cultural and political issues, arguing with non-believers and fellow Christians alike? Is this really what Jesus intended for his disciples?
Great questions. Great discussion. Looking forward to more next week.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. – 1 Corinthians 13
Do for the one…
“Do for the one what you wish you could do for everyone.”
It’s a good word. Sometimes we don’t do anything because we’re so overwhelmed by the needs that surround us, it can seem like what we have to offer can’t possibly make a difference. Our experience has taught us that it almost always can, if we start in the lives of just one or two people.
We have that opportunity before us this week. There’s a homeless couple that one of our students is doing life with. Here’s a list of their needs we can meet:
From SAM’s Club:
- Heavy Winter Socks
- Distilled Water
- Diaper Wipes
- Men’s and Women’s Deoderant
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
- Shampoo & Conditioner
- Laundry Detergent
- Dryer Sheets
They also need:
- Three Large Laundry Bags
- Rolls of Quarters for the Laundromat
If you can purchase any of the above items, or take care of the cost to do so, please contact Melissa by calling or texting at 618-973-6625 or email her at penguinjoy4life@gmail.com. Items can be brought to church on Sunday evening or dropped at Cornerstone.
Let’s be praying for Jordan and Zeke that God will bless them and keep them. That He’ll make His face shine upon them. That He’ll turn His full countenance upon them and give them peace. (from Numbers 6:24-26)
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me….Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. — Jesus (Matthew 25:35,40)
Fix Your Eyes
Tough As Nails
What if our faith was characterized by fearlessness, humility, confidence in Jesus, and love of others? Imagine how that would change the world around us.
The New Testament records that early Christians didn’t fear loss. They were selfless and confident. They weren’t arrogant or self-confident. They were humble because their confidence wasn’t in themselves; it was in Jesus. That faith in who Jesus was and what he had done for them freed them to boldly love others. Does our faith look like that? How would it change our world if it did?
View the second of three sermons in this series, Fix Your Eyes.
Discussion questions and other helpful resources are available at Tough Series online.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1–2
In the Beginning
Tough As Nails
We see daily news reports about violence and unrest everywhere. The world can feel like a dangerous place. Surrounded by uncertainty, it’s difficult not to be afraid. But Jesus offers us another option.
This week’s sermon from North Point church in Atlanta reminded us that uncertainty is certain, but fear is optional.
Here’s the link for In the Beginning
Andy posed three essential questions for Jesus followers to meditate on in the week ahead:
- Is my version of Christianity worth all that?
- Is my version of Christianity worth dying for?
- Is the way we live worth the price Jesus paid?
More questions and information can be found at the Tough Series online.
The Crossing at Cornerstone 