Cornerstone West Los Angeles » Sermons

We are in a series on the attributes of God, and this morning we look at God's transcendence. When we talk about God, we're talking about someone who is bigger than we realize, above and outside of the created world. This means he is radically different from us. He is infinite, limitless, and endless. Surprisingly, it's these lofty ideas about God that are the most important for shaping our lives...

We are starting a new series on the attributes of God: who is He? What is He like? And it makes sense to begin with his reality, the fact that he really does exist. The natural world provides clues that point to God's existence, and our own hearts add clues as well. Yet the Bible suggests that we all have a complex relationship with these clues. One part of us experiences them deeply, while anothe...

As we look to a new series on the attributes of God, we start with a questions: how do we know what God is like in the first place? Much of our lives is based on what we think about God, but how do we know? In Psalm 19, David celebrates the God who speaks—in the natural world, and in the scriptures, and in our own hearts. Application Questions:  1. How have you experienced the "silent" word of God...

What is the Church? God's Word makes it clear that the Church is God's people, redeemed from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. Why does God build His Church this way? Because when we are united in Him across all the dividing lines of the world, it shows how glorious Christ is. Application Questions:  1. In your mind, what is the Church? 2. How does the Church being from every tribe, tongue,...

Jesus' kingdom is a kingdom of power and authority, grace and mercy, love and compassion. When he reveals himself to us it leaves us not just acknowledging that he is the one true King, but wanting him to be our King. And as our king he has sent us to proclaim his kingdom that all those around us might come to know him too. Application Questions:  1. What initially comes to mind when you think of...

When Jesus brings healing to two very different people, he teaches us a lesson on faith. Faith doesn't begin with a certain personality or set of experiences. It always begins with a desperate realization that the world can't save you, and coming to Jesus as someone who can. From there, Jesus cultivates our faith in the same way he does with the woman and Jairus. He changes our focus, so that our...

Jesus has the power to calm storms. But, what does that mean for your life? Through two different but related stories Jesus shows us how we can trust him whether the storms in our lives are raging around us or inside of us. Application Questions:  1. What are the external storms you have experienced or are experiencing? 2. What are the internal storms you have or are experiencing? 3. Do you tend t...

In a famous parable Jesus teaches us about hearing. He comes with a word about the kingdom of God, which is different than any other kingdom. While other kingdoms come with a sword, Jesus' kingdom comes like a seed: small, unassuming, and yet with incredible power to transform. But this power is only released when the word is received deeply into our own hearts. The question for every person is, "...

Simon, a Pharisee, invites Jesus over for dinner. A sinful woman with a bad reputation arrives, lavishing Jesus with ointment and tears, and honoring Him. Simon is disgusted by this- but Jesus explains the experience of grace leads to love. She has been forgiven much, therefore she loves much. Simon, though, is self-righteous and doesn't think he needs forgiveness- and therefore misses out on a re...

John the Baptist sends his followers to ask Jesus if He is the Messiah- thousands of years of eager expectation and anticipation are wrapped up in their question and concerns. Jesus responds to them by demonstrating His fulfillment of prophecy- declaring without hesitation that He is the One. The claims of Jesus inevitably lead to demands from Jesus for us, calling us to submit to His loving and g...

Whether a wealthy and successful military man or a destitute and grief-stricken widow, everyone has deep need; need that we are incapable of meeting on our own. Faith in Jesus and his great power opens the door to true and abundant life in the kingdom of God. Application Questions: 1. What are some struggles in your life that you feel are insurmountable? 2. In what ways can you let yourself marvel...

The Sermon on the Mount concludes with two illustrations that expose the depth of our problems and give us unfathomable hope. When we are confronted with the darkness of our own hearts, Jesus calls us to come to him and hear his words of grace and comfort. In doing so he gives us hope and transforms our entire lives. Application Questions:  1. Do you consider the bad things you do "evil"? Why or w...

In a famous passage, Jesus teaches about judgment. Contrary to popular belief, he does not rule out all judgment. Instead, he is highlighting a problem we all have: a proud spirit that stands over others in condemnation. This makes us useless and even harmful to those around us who need our help, and cuts us off from the help we need from others. Embracing Jesus and his grace allows us to become l...

Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount with one of his most famous exhortations ever: "Love your enemies." As we explore this radical call it illuminates the very nature of love that pours into our hearts through the Spirit and pours out of us indiscriminately to all those in our lives, even those who are hostile toward us.  Application Questions:  1. In what ways do you understand God's love thr...

Jesus introduces a revolutionary kingdom in Luke chapter 6. He appoints leaders and preaches a sermon outlining his kingdom program, starting with a value system laid out in the "beatitudes." These blessings and woes run against our natural instincts and the values of our world. Yet they line up with reality in deep ways, leading us to a far richer life now and into eternity.  Application Question...

We all need rest. But where do we get it? And how does Jesus offer it? On two separate occasions Jesus shows the Pharisees (and us) how badly we misunderstand the nature of rest, and clarifies that true rest is only found in him. Application Questions:  1. What are areas in life you tend to "human-splain" to God about how things should be? 2. How do you usually pursue rest? 3. Is your pursuit of r...

Against the assumption of many, Christianity will inevitably bring joy into the human heart. In this passage from Luke, we find Jesus bringing joy to a tax collector and his friends. When pressed, he describes life with him as a wedding celebration. This morning we will look at the joy Jesus brings and see what it can mean for our own lives following him. Application Questions:  1. Do you naturall...

On this unity Sunday we step back to explore the importance of community, why we all need it, and why we all tend to find it more difficult than we expect. Application Questions:  1. Who is are you traveling the journey of life with? 2. What makes living in community with others difficult for you? 3. How do you see comparison in your heart pushing others away? 4. How do you see pride in your heart...

Jesus' ministry is full of healing: the blind see, the lame walk, and the sick are raised to full health. This passage describes two healings in detail, and they teach us about the healing of Jesus overall. Jesus heals a leper, addressing a variety of needs with his grace. He touches a man many considered untouchable, demonstrating a rich compassion for those in need. And when Jesus heals a paraly...

Jesus invites his followers on an adventure. It's unlike anything they ever expected, and unlike anything they could have imagined. But, at times, the journey will be confusing. In encountering Jesus, Peter shows us how to respond when the invitation of Jesus is confusing and why, following him anyway leads to greater joy than we ever thought possible. Application Questions:  1. What is something...

Luke shows us what Jesus' ministry was like in several snapshots. He teaches with an astonishing authority, he heals with a compassionate authority, and he raises up the needy to a kind of life serving him. When we understand Jesus this way, we'll find the same things happening to us. Application Questions:  1. How have you been astonished by Jesus authority as the Author of all things?  2. Where...

Prayer is hard and it's easy for us to get distracted. But, there are two things that can fuel our prayer life and draw us into a deeper intimacy with God. One is remembering who it is we're talking to: the one who hears and acts. The other is who we're praying about. When our hearts are captivated by a love for others we're able to take our eyes off ourselves and pray, not just for our own needs,...

Jesus begins His ministry in and around His hometown- and immediately He challenges the people. He challenges their authority. He challenges their mission. And He challenges their allegiance. This same Jesus challenges us the same way today. Application Questions:  1. How is Jesus different than the people expected the Messiah to be? 2. What are the initial reasons the people begin to question Jes...

The temptation of Jesus is a shock to our system as modern people, but we need it to face the realities of our world and the struggles in our own hearts. When we look at the setting in the wilderness, the Devil's temptations, and Jesus' response, we learn about fighting our own temptations through Christ. Application Questions:  1. Have you experienced "the wilderness" in your own life?  2. Do you...

Certain sections of scripture cause our modern eyes to glaze over, but ancient eyes cherished the genealogies of Jesus Christ. Looking back over the ancestors of Jesus, we find some names we recognize and many others we don't. These generations teach us about how God fulfills his promises, how Jesus comes to bring good news to all people, and how in Christ our deepest hopes make contact with the r...