Cornerstone West Los Angeles » Sermons

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...

John's ministry is to prepare the way for the Lord. That means the true King, God himself, is stepping into human history. What will the King do? In this short passage, we see that the King has a baptism he brings, and a baptism he receives. In these two baptisms, we get a picture of the whole of the Christian life. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire, meaning he brings you into contact w...

John the Baptist is sent in preparation for the Messiah's arrival. God's Word comes to Him in the wilderness and He preaches a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Baptism shows us that every inch of our souls needs transformation, immersed in the waters from head to toe. Repentance shows us that we need a decisive change of mind, acknowledging our sin and rejecting it. And forgivene...

In a rare look at Jesus' early life, we find him in the temple at twelve years old. Even though his parents have left Jerusalem without him, Jesus is right at home in his Father's house, because he is the Son of God. In this passage, Luke shows us the kind of Son Jesus is: authoritative, surprising, and obedient. Each one gives us a lesson on following Jesus in our own lives today. Application Que...

We all spend most of our lives waiting. But what are we waiting for? When we wait for the things of this world, we're left anxious, stressed, and fearful. But when we wait on God we can experience true peace. Application Questions:  1. What "unknown future" are you tempted to wait for? 2. How would your days be different if you were consciously to wait (live expectantly) for God's good purposes fo...

Merry Christmas! Jesus is born – the promise of God is fulfilled. And the contrasts are innumerable. A multitude of angels come to announce the birth of the Messiah – and they come to lowly shepherds watching sheep. Why? Because the story of Christmas is not about the glory of God in the highest but about God's glory coming to the lowest of low, because He loves us. Application Questions:  1. How...

As we prepare to see Jesus appear on the scene, Luke prepares his readers for this ultimate entrance by highlighting the profound mercy of God. In order to prepare ourselves to encounter the one true God, we need to understand that though he is a God of holiness, love, justice, and kindness, he is also a God of mercy. Application Questions:  1. What does it mean that God is merciful? 2. Have you o...

In this passage, we find the magnificat, the song Mary sang about the coming of Christ. For two thousand years people have been compelled by this song, and this morning we'll see why. Luke first gives us a prelude: Mary's meeting with Elizabeth, when the truth she heard from the angel landed on her heart. But then we find the song itself, full of truths that can make your heart sing too.  Applicat...

In this section of Luke, we find an angelic message and a human response. Gabriel announces that Mary will conceive and bear a son, and that this son will bring a new hope into the world. This message points to a wealth of grace and love for all kinds of people through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. And Mary's response points us to the nature of true faith: sincere questions coupled with a surrende...

God's plan and purpose for salvation begin to unfold through a forerunner – someone coming before Jesus to prepare the way. The life and ministry of John the Baptist is promised to his father Zechariah, who doesn't believe the angel Gabriel's promise. Regardless of Zechariah's faith, God is going to accomplish His promise for His people. Application Questions:  1. Do you feel stuck? In what ways?...

The book of Luke begins with a proper introduction, detailing his research methods and what he intends for his readers to learn. This teaches us important lessons about what the gospels are: true accounts about the person of Jesus who can change your life. Application Questions:  1. Why is it important that we see Luke's gospel as the result of an investigation into the truth, not hearsay or legen...

Jude is a short letter that packs a punch. He demonstrates that the Christian faith is something worth fighting for, and then shows us how to do it in a way that matches the grace and love of the gospel. The Christian faith, Jude says, is true, beautiful, and life changing. When some claim that faith but avoid its implications, we have to contend! But Jude counsels us to do so by keeping ourselves...