Cornerstone exists because of Jesus. We are a people who have been transformed by the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God has forgiven us and adopted us into his family. Now, we have a whole new life.
Through the gospel, God redeems us, forgives us, and adopts us into his family. The good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection makes each one of us a new creation and gives us a new identity: children of God. This is why we can never think of the church as an organization or a building. The church is actually a family—God’s family, filled with redeemed sinners that are now his children.
Through the gospel, God forgives us, adopts us into his family, and makes us his disciples. This means that the church is not just any family. We are a family formed by God—and sent out with a purpose.
The church is a family that ministers to one another, cares for one another, and builds one another up. Each member of the family is a child of God who is uniquely gifted to bless the family and to be a light in our city.
Just like a vine grows best with a good trellis, our church family grows best with good programs. Our programs and ministries are tailored to support the community and mission God has given us.
Sermon
Matthew 7:15-23
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There are people who pretend to speak for God and who pretend to act for God. But God is not deceived. One day standing before the judgment seat of Christ, there will be those who will receive the judgment of eternal condemnation. Some will be confused because they have spoken for God as prophets. Others will be confused because they have done mighty works for God. But salvation is not based on us speaking for God or doing mighty works for Him, our salvation is based upon Christ and His finished work alone. This passage is a sober warning for us to be people of substance, not flash, to be diligent to know God and to be known by Him, and to enter through Jesus Christ, the narrow gate who leads to salvation.
1. Why is falsely speaking for God such a big deal?
2. Do you carefully examine the sources of truth you hear from in your life?
3. Are you more compelled by what is flashy (external and showy) or what is substantive (authentic and deep in the heart)? How do you know?
4. Have you considered the reality of “false conversion”?
5. What is your hope built upon? How do you know?
“Known by God” by Brian S. Rosner (Journal Article)
“The Agonizing Problem of the Assurance of Salvation” by John Piper (Article)
“The Disowned” by Charles Spurgeon (Sermon Transcript)
Below are scriptures to help you meditate on today’s sermon topic throughout the week:
Monday: Ezekiel 13:1-10 Tuesday: Deuteronomy 13:1-3 / Matthew 24:24 Wednesday: John 15:12-17 Thursday: Galatians 4:1-9 Friday: Romans 9:1-5 As you meditate on the scriptures above, use these prompts to help you engage with God in prayer:
Insight: Pray for discernment to identify what is truly God’s Word from what is falsely presented as God’s Word.
Confess: Your failure to bear fruit for the Lord, and your desire for a deep and profound faith that bears genuine fruit.
Wrestle: With the justice of God, and His right to judge us, and a desire to not only know God but to be known by Him.
Request: That God would save the lost that you know in your life, especially those who think they are believers but are not.
Matt serves Cornerstone by overseeing Family Ministries.
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