What do you do with someone like Jesus?

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

All of Christianity is built on the person of Jesus—without Him, the entire thing falls apart.  So how has God pointed us to Him, and what does it mean for our lives now and later?

Scripture: 1 John 5:6–12

What does it look like to be a Christian?

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

It’s easy to let peripheral things distract us from what’s important.  So what is at the center of living as a Christian?

Scripture: 1 John 5:1–5

Fundamentos de la Fe Estudio Biblico los Domingos de 6 a 6:45 pm.

Clase de Ingles (ESL) los Domingos de 6:45 a 7:30 pm.

Más información »

How should we celebrate our first year?

Cornerstone’s First Anniversary

Most anniversary’s put the focus on the people involved—the things we did right, how much we enjoyed the last year, how things really are working out well.  But the Bible explains that the true focus of any anniversary is God Himself.  Listen to Scott Mehl explain how to celebrate God’s role in our story, and hear several testimonies that demonstrate how God’s work in our midst really is wonderful.

Scripture: Psalm 105

After much prayer and counsel from colleagues and supervisors at Servant
Partners, Brad is off on a trip to Managua, Nicaragua. The purpose of his
trip is to explore the possibilities for ministry there, as he and Fina
are sensing God leading them to serve overseas with Servant Partners. Brad
is especially excited about the possibility of training indigenous leaders
to serve in the Middle East. He is thinking that the work would be similar
to the internship work he does now, but training specifically for missions
(locally, regionally or overseas.) Brad asks for prayer for his discovery
trip and for God’s leading as they seek his will about a move to Central
America. He is asking God for a clear sense of his call and also an
understanding of whether the move would be right for his whole family.
Brad also asks for prayer for Fina and the kids while he is away.

If we love because God first loved us, how did God love us?

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

When we take a deeper look at the different ways God loves us, we find our love for others growing and changing.  This message walks through 1 Corinthians 13 to see how Christ has been infinitely loving towards us, and so we can now be loving towards others in a whole new way.

Scripture: 1 John 4:19–4:21

Believing God’s love is the road to loving others.

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

How do you find God’s love?  Do you earn it?  Do you have to be born into it?  The Bible says that God’s love is a gift, not a paycheck—and enjoying that gift is what opens you up to love others.

Scripture: 1 John 4:13–4:21

If the resurrection is real, then everything changes.

Scripture: John 20:1–18

Jesus is a different kind of King than most people think.

Scripture: Luke 19:28–48

About ten years ago through the suggestion of our supported missionaries,
David and Diana Weber (Wycliffe – Peru), we began to support a man named
Felix Cayco as he contributed to the work of translating the Bible into
Huallaga Quechua. Last year the translation was completed, and the new
publication of the Bible was dedicated to God for his glory. There was
great rejoicing in the Huallaga Quechua community of Peru as they now had
the Bible in their own language.
Over the last year, the new task has been to make the translation
available in audio, video, radio broadcasts, and pastor-training material.
Even more importantly, there has been the work of raising the literacy
rate in the community, so that the people can read their new Bible for
themselves. Please continue to pray for the use and availability of this
new Bible translation among the Huallaga Quechua people.

We know what love is by the way God has loved us.

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

Love is a word that is hard to define—for most people, you just “know” what love is.  But the Bible makes it clear that our definitions of love are usually too small.  John explains that we know love by what God did in sending Jesus, and that our love should reflect His.

Scripture: 1 John 4:7–4:12

All classes are free of charge (except for the cost of books) and require a 6-week commitment. They’re also a part of Cornerstone Sunday Nights, which means that you can attend equipping classes while your children are in Fusion, AWANA, or the nursery.

Love is about your beliefs, and your beliefs are about love.

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

Theology and doctrine aren’t cold and dry.  They are the source and foundation of any real love, for God and for others.  John explains how we must keep our eyes open to the various beliefs that we hear every day, and gives us criteria by which we can judge them.

Scripture: 1 John 4:1–4:6

A relationship with God is based on trust.

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

When you don’t have confidence in your relationship with someone, you can never enjoy it.  You always have to play both sides, and anticipate what would happen if the other person leaves you high and dry.  To enjoy your relationship with God, you have to have confidence.  John explains why we lose confidence, how we regain confidence, and how we live out confidence in our relationship with God.

Scripture: 1 John 3:19–3:24

We all love the idea of love.  But what does it look like in real life?

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

We all like to think we love other people, but how true is our love?  John explains the nature of real love, and calls us to apply it from the inside out.

Scripture: 1 John 3:16–3:18

Doug and Haunani have received word from their leadership that they have
been officially transferred from the Japan Field to the Diaspora
Ministries Field. Here is their description of Diaspora Ministries:
“In the last twelve years, OMF International has been aware of a growing
and exciting movement of God among the Diaspora peoples globally. (The
definition of ‘diaspora’ is ‘the dispersion of any people from their
original homeland.’) There are over 80 million East Asians scattered
globally. In 2008, OMF International took the step of appointing its first
truly global borderless field: the Diaspora Ministries Field. With these
immense Diaspora communities being in constant motion, OMF International
is bridging both home and host countries. This is a wonderful window of
opportunity for us to share the gospel with those who are living in our
cities and who one day will return to their home countries.”

The Whittets are looking forward to beginning their new ministry among the
Japanese returnees living in the Los Angeles area. Doug and Haunani are
enjoying being back in Southern California, but feel the strangeness of
not returning to Japan to those who have been such a big part of their
lives. The Whittets will continue to work full-time on their support
development till June 30. Once their support is at 100%, they will start
into full-time ministry.

Please pray for Doug and Haunani for the following: speaking engagements
at several churches; their representation of OMF at the Biola Missions
Conference the week of March 14-16; and their financial support to reach
100%.

There are certain traits that characterize God’s family.  The chief among them is love.

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

Every family has a “culture”—a way of doing things that color your everyday life.  When you are a part of the family of God, loving others truly and deeply is just one of the things we do.

Scripture: 1 John 3:10–3:18

What are Sunday mornings for?

People have a lot of ideas as to what Christians do when they gather on Sunday mornings.  Why does God’s family meet once a week, and how should that shape what we do?

Selected Scriptures

World Impact is a Christian missions organization dedicated to ministering
God’s love in the inner city of Los Angeles. Their purpose is to honor and
glorify God and delight in Him in the inner cities by knowing God and
making Him known.

World Impact ministers cross-culturally to people unreached by the gospel
of Jesus Christ through evangelism, follow-up, discipleship and indigenous
church-planting. One of the outreaches of World Impact Los Angeles is the
Los Angeles Christian School. As a church, we support Julie Deas and her
work as the business manager at Los Angeles Christian School. Besides
being the business manager, Julie is very involved in the life of the
school. She coordinates the annual book fairs and also the Christmas Toy
Store. Recently, Julie has had the desire to have family events to
facilitate getting to know the students’ families better. The first event
was a well attended trip to Griffith Park for a hike. The following events
were not as well attended. Julie asks for prayer that God will show her
what kinds of activities she should offer to the families, and for her to
be able to see what God is doing through these event times. Julie also
asks for prayer for building friendships at the school.

How do we digest a book like 1 John?

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

Pastor Jim Leonard reflects on 1 John and how we can apply it to our lives.

Scripture: 1 John 2:6

What is it like to be part of God’s family?

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

The Bible explains that a relationship with God depends on forgiveness through Jesus—but forgiveness like this changes a person.  The apostle John makes it clear that when you become a child of God, you start to look like your Father.

Scripture: 1 John 3:1–3:10

How do we keep growing in goodness?

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

As we live our lives, how do we keep on improving?  What are the mechanics of human growth when it comes to morality, righteousness, and spirituality?  The apostle John grounds our growth in our vision of God, both in the future and today.

Scripture: 1 John 3:1–3:6

When you see a child of God, there’s always a family resemblance.

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

One of the wonders of Christianity is the idea that God Himself becomes our Father, and we become His children.  That new identity, and the hope it brings, is what prompts us to imitate Him.

Scripture: 1 John 2:28–3:3

Please pray for Scott and Matt as they teach.  Scott is teaching Spiritual Formation, which covers topics like Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with God on a personal and community level.  Matt is teaching Discipleship/Evangelism, which emphasizes God’s desire for spreading the Gospel and maturing believers for lifelong ministry.  They’ll also be spending time with local churches, preaching and connecting with other believers.

While they’re gone, please also remember to pray for their families.  Between the two of them, they’re leaving two wives and five kids under five years old!

Every belief makes a promise.  The only question is, can it deliver?

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

The truth is that we are all “believers”—even those who say “beliefs aren’t important” have that as their belief!  In this passage, John makes it clear that the Bible’s claims about Jesus are true, and that they can deliver on the promise that they make: eternal life.  What’s more, God Himself promises to be a factor in discovering the truth, if you are humble.

Scripture: 1 John 2:24–2:27

Cornerstone Sunday Nights are when our church family gathers together for activities like AWANA, Fusion, Adult Equipping Classes, and more. Sunday nights run from 6pm–7:30pm, and childcare is provided. At Cornerstone Sunday Nights, the entire family can come to worship and learn together.

AWANA
For kids between age 3 and the sixth grade, AWANA is a night of games, music, teaching, and small groups. They’ll meet new friends, strengthen old friendships, and spend time internalizing important truths about God and the Gospel. AWANA starts at 6pm on Sunday nights and meets in the gym.

FUSION
For students in middle school and high school, FUSION is a time of exploring the Gospel with a diverse community of students. When students are in FUSION, they’ll hear how the Bible intersects with their daily life and wrestle through important truths together. FUSION starts at 6pm on Sunday nights and meets in the Youth Room.

ADULT EQUIPPING CLASSES
Adult Equipping Classes are opportunities for adults to learn together about God, the Gospel, and daily life in West LA. Classes run for six weeks, and take place on Sunday nights from 6pm–7:30 in the upstairs classrooms. Click here for more information and to sign up for our next round of equipping classes.

After December, the Humbles have a lot of reasons to praise God! On December 4, four members of the Discovery Bible Studies were baptized. They are praying that momentum will continue to build for more Discovery groups to start, and that more people will become Christ’s disciples. The Church Planting Movement training for workers headed to unreached provinces was one of the most exciting trainings they have offered. Over fifty people from a variety of denominations across the country, as well as foreign workers from a number of sending agencies, were all in attendance. The participants were challenged to disciple people of the majority religion to conversion, rather than looking for quick conversions alone. They also explained the value of a “Person of Peace,” who can gather an entire household to explore the faith, instead of aiming only at individuals who, if they become Christians, will quickly be ostracized from their family and community.  The spirit of unity and cooperation within the group was strong. The Humbles are also thankful to report that, since Kevin’s visit to the Mayo Clinic in Arizona in September 2010, he continues to enjoy good health! Please pray for the their son, Vincent, as he continues to adjust to life here in the States while attending Biola University.

Please keep them in your prayers!

Do we really have to be so dogmatic?

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

With all the division and controversy in the world, how can we handle the idea of truth?  John makes it clear that truth isn’t flexible, and that disagreements shouldn’t disturb you—most of all, he makes the case that the hard truth is where we can put all our hope and security.

Scripture: 1 John 2:18–2:25

Can we make New Year’s Day as exciting as New Year’s Eve?

The beginning of a new year can be a time of celebration, a time of discouragement, or just another day.  It’s usually the anticipation of newness that makes New Year’s Eve so exciting—but New Year’s Day can feel anything but new.  The Bible points us to a way of truly celebrating not just anticipation but reality.

Selected Scriptures

There are lots of ways to read the Bible in a year, and I won’t try to capture all of them. But here are numerous options, in no particular order. You may want to look through it and see what you think would work best for you.

First off, if you’re not persuaded that having a plan is necessary and biblical in some sense, then here’s a helpful piece from John Piper, written in 1984.

Stephen Witmer has a helpful introduction—on the weaknesses of typical plans and some advice on reading the Bible together with others—as well as offering his own new two-year plan.

The Gospel Coalition’s For the Love of God Blog takes you through the M’Cheyne reading plan, with a meditation each day by D. A. Carson related to one of the readings.

George Guthrie has a very helpful Read the Bible for Life Chronological Bible Reading Plan. Guthrie has also made a a booklet version of the Read the Bible for Life 4+1 Reading Plan. The plan is similar to the Discipleship Journal plan, but in addition to reading in four different places in the Scriptures, you also read a psalm a day, cycling through the psalms twice in the year. This plan is semi-chronological, placing the prophets and the NT letters in rough chronological order.

The Bible Reading Plan for Shirkers and Slackers (Pastor Andy Perry explains the plan and why he recommends it.)

Read the rest for many more plans.  And don’t forget that we offer equipping classes at Cornerstone to help you enjoy God’s Word more and more!

What do we do with all these things in the world?

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

What are humans to do with all the things we find around us in this world? John brings our love and our desires to the forefront as he explains where we can find real love and satisfaction.

Scripture: 1 John 2:15–2:17

Sometimes you need to come up for a breath of air.

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

Life is difficult, and motivation can be hard to come by.  Sometimes you need to come up for a breath of air and remember what life is about, and how God is a part of it.  When you see who you are in the family of God, you find satisfaction and desire to keep going.

Scripture: 1 John 2:12–2:14

“Here in Papua New Guinea there are tons of unreached language groups.  I have the privilege of flying a helicopter for New Tribes, and I get to see first hand some of the most remote locations in PNG.  Currently we have some new families living in some very difficult locations.  They are working on learning the language and adjusting to living without many conveniences we take for granted—all for the purpose of giving the people who live there a chance to hear about God and His plan for salvation.  My ministry involves keeping these missionaries supplied, transportation in and out of the tribe, and medi-vacs fro them as well as the villagers.  Helicopters are not available in the country at a price missionaries can afford.  (Commercial helicopters start at $2800/hour and go up from there, and that’s when they are available).  Operating a helicopter for church planting is literally making a way for thousands of people in PNG to hear a clear gospel message.  One of the most exciting things I get to witness is some of the locations where we no longer have missionaries.  Missionaries in the past have planted a church and discipled the local believers to maturity.  I store jet fuel for the helicopter in some of these locations, so I still get to meet with these churches when I come through to refuel.  Their passion is amazing.  They are actively sending out their own missionaries to other surrounding villages, and a few of them are actually learning a second language so they can bring the gospel to others in PNG.  It is so exciting to see these men and women continue to grow in their faith and teach each other form the Word of God.  It’s also very humbling to see their dedication and sacrifice for the gospel.”

Remember to pray for Mike, Kelly and their family!

On Christmas morning, we’ll have one devotional service at 10am.  There will be no childcare that day, so bring the whole family into the sanctuary for a family style time of worship.

Have any questions!  Email us at info@cornerstonewla.org.

Would you like to adopt a family?  Email Matt Kleinhans at matt[at]cornerstonewla.org

When you see life in the light of God, you will always love like Jesus.

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

What does it take to really love people?  John explains that true love only comes from seeing things clearly—and you only see things clearly when you walk in the light with God.

Scripture: 1 John 2:7–2:11

Where you abide changes how you live

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

What does obedience look like, and where does it come from?  John explains that where we find our home—our source of strength and energy, our sense of comfort and security—will change how we live.  When we find our home in the right place, we find our lives looking more and more like Jesus.

Scripture: 1 John 2:3–2:6

This September the Cornerstone family ventured out to the Ironwood Horsemanship camp for an all-church retreat. The retreat was meant to be a time to reconnect with old friends, create new friendships, and pursue fellowship with God and each other outside of the usual distractions that life in LA so continually affords.  Carpools and families drove up to the camp as they were able, some on Friday and some on Saturday morning. By mid morning Saturday, almost everyone had arrived and was ready for adventure!

After a hearty breakfast, we gathered together for a family style worship session. Just to make sure that everyone got a taste of the true “church camp” experience, we sang “Father Abraham,” a classic children’s song that allowed us to let loose and literally jump for joy. Since all ages were present for these sessions, Pastor Scott made sure that his message spoke to the little ones as well as their parents. The kids gathered at Scott’s feet up on the stage to hear him read from the children’s story Bible. Together we all learned about how Jesus reached out to a man named Zaccheus, and were encouraged to follow Christ’s example to reach out and continually seek people to love and serve.

The rest of the day was filled with free time to exercise that love while having fun with one another. Afternoon activities included everything from checkers, chess and foosball to gun shooting, archery, and of course, horseback riding. Those interested went swimming in a small lake set within the backdrop of pristine mountains, and those who were feeling particularly adventurous took the plunge down a 3 story water slide. Families participated in a multi-game challenge against each other, and the Manthei family emerged with the coveted Ironwood family trophy. Way to go, Mantheis!

After a delicious dinner on Saturday night (including ice cream sundaes), the Ironwood staff performed a series of hilarious, family-friendly skits for our enjoyment.  Far from being over though, the night was just beginning. We gathered around a campfire outside and began singing worship songs, one after another as they came up from our hearts in gratitude to the Lord. As we sat under the vast expanse of the cloudy night sky, thunder crashed in the distance and lightning fell in bolts that lit up the darkness like photo flashes. Each bolt of lightning allowed a split second portrait of all of us gathered together to praise the one and only, all-powerful God. There was no rain during the time that we sang, but the thunder and lightning inched progressively closer to us. As we finished our last song, the lightning came too close for comfort and we felt the raindrops start to fall.  The rain poured down for the rest of that night, confining us to cabins, the coffee shop, and game rooms. We shared hot apple cider and warm conversations, seizing yet another opportunity to meet new people and enjoy our last night at Ironwood.

On Sunday morning we enjoyed one last buffet breakfast and gathered to worship again. Reggie led us in another classic children’s song, “With Jesus in the Boat.” This time everyone heard a story from the children’s Bible about Jesus washing the disciples’ stinky feet, after which Scott reminded us all about the self-sacrificial attitude that followers of Christ are called to have. We were exhorted to practice this self-sacrificial love every day thereafter when we returned toLos Angeles.  That afternoon we left Ironwood with new friendships, new memories, and new encouragement in Christ. And we can’t wait until we get to do it all again next year!

Obedience is about relationship

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

All relationship transform you—and one of the ways a relationship with God will transform you is that it will lead you down a path of obedience. To the point that, if you aren’t walking down that path of obedience, you should question whether you have any real relationship with God at all.

Scripture: 1 John 2:1–2:6

Is God more on the side of love, or more on the side of justice?

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

Is God all sentiment, or does he care about right and wrong? To be near God, we must understand forgiveness. This message details God’s mercy and justice, and how they meet at the cross.

Scripture: 1 John 1:8–2:2

How can we get close to a perfect God without lying?

Series:
Know Love: The Book of First John

Is sin obsolete, or is there more going in our world than we realize?  John makes it clear that, if we want to have any kind of spiritual life at all, we have to believe we are totally wicked sinners.  And yet he makes it clear that if we understand sin, we can find true fellowship with God.

Scripture: 1 John 1:5–10