Cornerstone West Los Angeles » Sermons

In our lives, it is far too easy for us to remain focused on our shallow needs. Jesus invites us to see a deeper need that only he can satisfy. Application Questions:  1. Why is Jesus' determination to bring living water such good news? 2. In what ways are you pursuing water that does not truly satisfy? 3. How is Christ crucified for you something that satisfies your deepest thirst?

What can we learn from Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding? John tells us that it is a sign, pointing to a greater reality about who Jesus is and what he came to do. This sign shows us that Jesus is the true bridegroom, come to bring joy at a great price, drawing near to those he loves. Application Questions:  1. What can we learn from the connections between the major themes of this passag...

Our world views human life as either as the ultimate good (needing to be preserved at all costs) or as an instrumental good (only worth living if it maintains a certain "quality"). But God teaches us that, as image bearers of him, every human life is uniquely sacred and destined for eternity. Application Questions:  1. How do you see the world's understanding as human life being either the ultimat...

Sin brings about division in our world, the devaluing of the image of God in others. This is seen throughout the history of the world, and is felt presently and deeply in our world today. In Christ the walls of hostility can be brought down. In Christ we can be peacemakers. In Christ we can affirm and uphold the image of God in the midst of the dividing lines of the world. Application Questions: ...

Our city believes strongly that all people are worthy of dignity and respect, but what is the foundation for that belief? The Bible declares that all human beings are made in the image of God, apart from their background, culture, or ability. Yet we see this image is marred by sin in the ways we often ignore or use other people. Only through Jesus Christ can we be renewed to reflect the goodness a...

Beholding the Son of God begets following the Son of God. When we see Jesus for who he is and remember what he has done, our hearts are drawn to follow him and orient our entire lives around him. Even when we don't know what the future holds, we can have confidence in the one that holds the future. And, as we enter a new year, he invites us to "come and see" all that he has in store. Application Q...

On Christmas Eve, we consider the nature of the incarnation and behold the one who is the Word become flesh. As we do, John the Baptist provides us with an example of how we are each called to behold him and bear witness to him both on Christmas and throughout the year.

John’s gospel doesn’t have much of a Christmas story, but it does have the heart of Christmas: the doctrine of the incarnation. When we understand this staggering doctrine we can see the importance, joy, and hope of Christmas, and enjoy grace upon grace in our own lives. Application Questions:  1. How is the doctrine of the incarnation unique among other religions and philosophies? 2. Which of the...

The Light of the World comes into the world that He created, and is rejected. God invites us into His Light, and in the light we are exposed and vulnerable, but we are also accepted by Him, forgiven, renewed, and restored. Application Questions:  1. What is shocking about the rejection of Jesus Christ? 2. How do you hide from the Light in your own life? 3. What would it look like to confess and re...

Advent is a time to meditate on the coming of Christ at Christmas so we can sing the carols not just with our lips but with our hearts. In the first five verses of John’s gospel, we get a picture of Jesus before time began, which teaches us the significance of Christmas morning. Application Questions: 1. Why does John go so far out of his way to explain that Jesus, the Word, is fully God?  2. How...

Life in our fast-paced world keeps us constantly moving and doing things, with our minds usually focused on ourselves. But when we slow down and humble ourselves before our Good Shepherd, we discover a depth of purpose, peace, and pleasure, both now and on into eternity.  Application Questions:  1. Do you struggle seeing yourself as a sheep in need of a shepherd? Why or why not?  2. How does the s...

How do you respond when suffering hits? You may be familiar with the call to trust God in the midst of difficulty, but how are we supposed to do that? When it seems like God is against us, not for us, how do we respond in trust? In Psalm 56 David shows us the path forward in suffering and crisis.

David writes Psalm 51 after blowing up his life, and yet he sees a way forward from guilt to joy: repentance. The psalm teaches us to follow his lead, recognizing the reality of our guilt, the depth of our sin, and the size of God’s grace.  Application Questions:  1. How do you handle guilt in your life? 2. David sees himself as a sinner from birth. Do you think that is true of you as well?  3. We...

In our lives, we will face many hardships from which we need relief. It is only in God that we will find a refuge that relieves fears, provides peace, and gives comfort, no matter what storms may come. Application Questions:  1. What fears do you wrestle with most? How can meditating on the strength of God help you to calm those fears?  2. Where else are you tempted to go for peace instead of God'...

Psalm 42 shows us the realities of suffering and despair in our lives, and the path of hope. Our souls are often cast down and in turmoil, but God meets us in our hope, and calls us to remind ourselves of all that He has done for us. Application Questions: 1. In what ways do you feel cast down in your life? 2. In what ways do you see turmoil in your mind and heart? 3. How can lament be incorporate...

David is surrounded by his worst fears, but has strong confidence. How? The beauty of God. When you encounter the beauty of God, it captivates you and satisfies you so that you look to God for who he is in himself, not what he can give you. And yet when you go to God just to behold his beauty, your life will be marked by confidence, hope, and joy. Application Questions:  1. Where do you find beaut...

What is love? Why is love such a powerful concept in our world? As we explore the love of God we find that the reality of love is greater than we've ever dared imagine. And we find that the God of love is the one being in the universe our souls ultimately long for. Application Questions:  1. When you think about being drawn into the presence of God, does that make you excited or nervous? 2. What a...

The psalms put the experiences of life into contact with the reality of God. Nowhere is that more apparent than when the psalms describe the glory of God, and how it infuses joy into our lives.  Application Questions:  1. What do you think of when you think about God’s glory? Does it play a role in your day to day life?  2. How does God’s glory reveal what you worship? Are there any idols in your...

It's easy to see the greetings at the end of the letter as superficial. But in them we see an affectionate grace that we are to receive ourselves and extend to others as God has to us in Christ.  Application Questions:  1. In what ways are you tempted to gloss over greeting?  2. How can you extend an appropriately affectionate greeting to your brother or sister in Christ?  3. How can accepting and...

Paul closes the book of 1 Corinthians with several short discussions on practical matters. But under these practical matters we find a deep theology. On three topics—money, plans, and church—we learn how to apply the gospel and find a better way to live in the practical issues of life.  Application Questions:  1. How does the gospel give you a new way to think about money?  2. How does the gospel...

Following Jesus is not easy, because He asks us to subordinate everything that competes with our love for Him. Our problem begins when we think that we can only follow Him with our imperfect love. When Jesus invites us to follow him, it is an invitation to give up our selfish love to receive his perfect love and when we do so that is when we find true happiness and eternal life. Application Questi...

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is victory over sin and death. We may still feel the sting of death in this life, but the victory of Christ allows us to say, "O death where is your sting!?" Application Questions:  1. How does the future Kingdom of God speak to your present life now? 2. What are ways you distract yourself or cope with the reality of death in this world? 3. What fear(s) do you have...

In a chapter on our future resurrection, Paul anticipates an objection: how are the dead raised? Paul answers our skepticism and also brings us higher up and deeper in to the unimaginable glory of our future in Christ. Application Questions:  1. Do you fight to see the resurrection as realistic? If so, how do you handle that fight? 2. Does an acorn becoming an oak tree help you see the resurrectio...

Paul shows us that the resurrection is a picture of our future. Those who belong to Christ will be raised as Christ was raised one day. Not only that, Christ will remake the heavens and the earth as a returning King claims his kingdom. Seeing this future gives you a hope that can make you incredibly secure, incredibly sacrificial, and incredibly honest in your life now. Application Questions:  1....

Paul puts all of his passion and skill into this final chapter about the resurrection so we might see its importance for our world and our lives. Before he starts in on the effects of the resurrection, he gives us three realities of the resurrection that serve as the foundation for its hope-giving, life transforming power.  Application Questions:  1. How much of a role does Jesus’ resurrection pla...