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
"And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled."
– Mark 5:1-20 ESV
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In this passage, we find Jesus exorcising a legion of demons from one man. For us in the west, this can be difficult to swallow. What does this have to do with our world? What does it have to do with our lives? When we look harder, we see that belief in demons is not as outlandish as we might think. What’s more, the Bible explains the complexity and subtlety of demonic impact in our lives. Most importantly, we see what Jesus does about it all: trades places with us so that, through his power, he might free us and re-tune us to live with a new influence: his Holy Spirit.
1. Do you struggle to believe in the supernatural world? Why or why not?
2. Mark describes how the demonic powers are bent on pain and destruction: first the man, then the pigs. The rest of the Bible explains that Satan is the father of lies, telling lies that will end up enslaving us. What are some examples of lies that people believe, only to end up enslaved? Have you ever experienced that in your own life?
3. Jesus crosses a stormy lake and subdues a legion of demons to save this one man from torment. Later, Jesus would walk cross through death and judgment to save us all from torment. How can Jesus' love and compassion for you help you fight lies and temptation? How can Jesus' power to save this man from a legion of demons give you comfort in difficult times?
4. What are some of the "piano strings" that Satan likes to vibrate in your life? How have those led to discord, pain, and enslavement? What would it look like for Jesus to create harmony in those areas? What steps can you take to follow Jesus in those areas?
Brian serves the church by overseeing preaching and Sunday morning services at Cornerstone.
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