Cornerstone West Los Angeles » Sermons

John speaks of the truth of Jesus Christ and the joy we get from knowing him. The road from truth to joy runs through fellowship with God, a deep communion with him that is made available in Christ and deeply personal.

John begins his letter focusing on truth: the eternal life of God taking on flesh as Jesus Christ. To John, we have to get this truth right, not so we can know we are right, but so that we can know God, and find fullness of joy in him. Application Questions: 1. Are you more of a math person or a music person? How does that affect the way you view the Christian faith? 2. How do the truths of the Ch...

As we wrap up our mini-series on how we can relearn to "walk" as the local church, we examine how the community of the local church was designed to be a missional community. While presuppositions regarding "evangelism" may come to mind when you hear the term "missional," the reality of what it means to be a missional community is much deepers. In our missional calling we see and experience the cul...

The word "church" literally means "gathering". We are called to be relationally close and this requires gathering together physically. Though we have been apart physically for a year, as the pandemic wanes it is important for us to reestablish the rhythm of in-person relational connection. Application Questions: 1. What steps can you take right now towards regathering in-person with brothers and s...

On the anniversary of our first livestream service, it's easy to see how the pandemic has changed our lives. As restrictions begin to lift, we'll need to learn again what it means to walk together as a church community. This sermon looks at 1 Peter 2 to see how our personal relationship with Jesus is inextricable from our relationship with the local church community. Application Questions: 1. How...

As we wrap up our journey through the book of Colossians Paul gets personal, giving us a glimpse into the spiritual family God had built around him. When we stop and pay attention to the stories represented in this list we'll find that the community that existed 2,000 years ago in Rome isn't all that different from the spiritual family God is continuing to built here and all around the world. The...

We often think wrongly about evangelism - we have fear about getting it wrong, about saying the wrong thing. Or we may think that it's not our gifting so it's not for us entirely! But Paul challenges us to realize the deep well from which every believer should draw and that the motivation for sharing our faith may not be what we think. Application Questions: 1. What are some ways you underestimate...

How does our new life in Christ work itself out in our daily life: marriages, family, work? Far from upholding cultural standards, or telling the Colossians to rebel against them, Paul teaches them to live under the authority of Jesus and watch as his love transforms things from the inside out. Application Questions: 1. Why do you think we struggle with a passage like this today? How does understa...

What characteristics come to mind when you think of spiritual maturity? All too often the way we define maturity has more to do with our cultural norms than it does the image of Christ. In today's passage Paul clarifies for us what true Christlikeness actually looks like, and he reminds us of the incredible joy that comes as we experience eternity taking deeper and deeper root in our hearts. We we...

Paul shows us that growing is part of the basic Christian life—not just once in a while, but part of our daily experience. In this passage, we find what growth really looks like and how we can pursue it ourselves. Application Questions: 1. Would you describe your approach to growth as "putting to death"? Why or why not? 2. Do you focus more on changing your actions or your motivations? What would...

There are areas in all of our lives that we want to change, and that we know God wants to change. In different seasons we pursue growth in different ways. But, far too often, our pursuit of growth looks indistinguishable from the ways that those around us who don't know Christ pursue growth. Christian growth is fundamentally different, however. When we grow as Christians, what's taking place is mo...

What does it mean to grow as a Christian? Lots of people have lots of different ideas about what it means to be a Christian and how you grow as a Christian. But the Bible is clear that growing as a Christian is not about our effort, nor is it about extra rules we add to our lives to make us seem more religious. Christian growth always happens as a result of holding fast to Christ, trusting in His...

Life is hard and fraught with hardships and struggles. But even in the face of the many struggles of the last year, we can look to the one who has made us alive as the source of our comfort and strength. Application Questions: 1. How have you let the hardships of the last year take your eyes off Jesus? 2. What have you been rooting yourself in other than Christ? 3. How can you let the truth of the...

We all need the basics, but they can be frustrating. It's hard to think that the basics you already have are what you need to face new challenges. In this short passage, Paul teaches us how the basics of the Christian faith go to work in the Christian life, providing us more than we realize to explore, enjoy, and enlist to live life in a challenging world. Application Questions: 1. Have you ever f...

Looking back on a year with so much uncertainty Paul gives us a reminder of the certainties we have in Christ. The certainty of hope, the certainty of suffering, and the certainty of transformation. Our hope in the New Year can't be in circumstances, but we can have great hope in our God who redeems all things for His glory and our joy. Application Questions: 1. Do you have a difficult time findin...

God sent his son to give us more than just personal blessings. He came to reconcile us to himself. When we remember the reason we need Jesus and the amazing work he has done for us, we are compelled to cling tightly to him, whatever the world may throw at us. Andthatmakes Christmas in 2020 one of the most special celebrations ever. Application Questions: 1. How has this past year shown your need f...

The gospel is about the person and work of Jesus. In the gospel Jesus displays that He is the preeminent one, the one by whom and for whom all things were created. This passage focuses on the work of Christ, establishing His church, defeating death, and reconciling sinners (and all things!) to Himself. Application Questions: 1. Why does it matter that Christ is the head of the Church? 2. Where do...

In the midst of his letter to the Colossians Paul breaks into song, singing the praises of the preeminence of Jesus Christ in all things. Jesus is supreme over all things because of His Identity, His Authority, and His Glory. He is the exact imprint and image of the invisible God, is the Creator of the Universe, and all things exist for His glory. Application Questions: 1. What does it mean for Je...

In the book of Colossians God directs our gaze to look closely and intently on his Son. And when our eyes are fixed on Jesus we come to realize that, even in this season of difficulty, God is inviting us into a season of gratitude. In Christ God has given us more than we could ever imagine, but the incredible thing is, he's not done yet! As we look forward to this new series we await with eager ex...

As we wrap up our series on politics (and this entire political season) we ask the question: "Where do we go from here?" As always God's word gives us clear direction, teaching us that we go forward from here together. God has created the church to stand out in a divided world as a light of unity and hope. And the more we are captivated by the grace of his gospel, the more we can extend that grace...

Elections, nations, and world powers come and go. But the reign of King Jesus and his eternal kingdom are forever. Nothing gives us greater perspective and hope than catching the vision of our one true King and of his everlasting kingdom. In a world filled with political prophecies, few of which ever come completely true, God calls our eyes up to-his- prophecies - his promises - and the confidence...

Politics is about who is in charge and who can make change in the world—and it's often connected to status, significance, and victory. But following Jesus gives you a different perspective on power. Jesus asks us to follow him by taking up our cross, which means embracing the humility and struggle that come along with loving our neighbor. Instead of constantly trying to amass power for ourselves,...

Loving God requires using our minds. God loves truth. He is the Ultimate Truth. And He calls on Christians to engage their minds to seek truth, even in the world of politics where truth is often obscure. We love God with our thinking by thinking: Humbly, Spiritually, Deeply, and Graciously. Application Questions: 1. What does it look like to love God with your mind? 2. What are ways that youavoidt...

Politics isn't known for its love. Whether it's online discussions, in person debates, or even our own internal reactions, the political climate is often more about condemning our enemies than loving them. But love is the thing that all Christians are to be known for, in politics and everywhere else. 1 Corinthians 13 gives us a picture of love, showcased in Jesus' love towards us, that teaches us...

Plenty of people are ready to tell you what the "Christian" political platform is. But how do we know what policies, propositions, and candidates are the ones that Christians should vote for? The Bible does provide us with biblical principles that matter for politics. But we also need to know the difference between biblical principles and political policies, which takes wisdom, humility, and grace...