Cornerstone West Los Angeles » Sermons

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...

In this letter Paul takes the values of the Kingdom of God and lovingly but firmly presses Philemon (and us) to reject the kingdom of this world and embrace the Kingdom of God. Application Questions:  1. Take some time to think deeply about yourself. What are some blind spots you may have in your life? Do you pray and ask God to reveal blind spots to you? 2. How can you daily remind yourself of yo...

In response to this week's tragic fires, we take time to hear God speak words of gentle comfort and love to each of us in this frightening and disorienting moment. Application Questions:  1. How does God's goodness bring you comfort in this moment? 2. How does God's power bring you comfort in this moment? 3. What "big questions" does this moment cause you to ask? Take time to ask them to God. 4. W...

The Apostle John wants to see the gospel grow and multiply throughout the world. And there are a few key ways the local church can facilitate that growth. By thinking of ourselves less and sacrificing for others more, we can all participate in the supernatural growth of the gospel. Application Questions:  1. Who are the brothers and sisters serving the kingdom who need your hospitality and support...

2 John is a small letter with a big message: the nature of truth and love. What we believe to be true shapes the way we live. The central truth of Christianity—that Jesus Christ came in the flesh—is what shapes us into loving people. For that reason Christians are careful to guard the truths of the faith, in the world and also in their own hearts. Application Questions:  1. Where in your own life...

As we reflect back on the book of Daniel, we discover one of the secrets of Christmas that frees us to enjoy the celebration like never before. The secret of Christmas is that Christmas is supposed to make you homesick. It's a story of exile promised to exiles in order to give hope in exile. And when we see it through the lens of exile, we find the true joy of what Christmas is truly all about. Ap...

The book of Daniel ends by talking about the end: what happens at the end of human history. We find that death isn't the end, for us or our world. There is a resurrection and a future for every human being, all based on what you do with Jesus Christ. This changes how we live today, as we orient our lives around a future much longer than the lives we live on earth. Application Questions:  1. How of...

Daniel’s final vision describes a chaotic future. Kingdoms rise and fall, with God’s people caught in the middle. Today most of Daniel’s vision is history, but it gives us stabilizers for life in today's chaotic world. Daniel 11 shows us how wisdom, hope, and the knowledge of God can give you firm footing in the whirlwind of modern life.  Application Questions:  1. How can you pursue wisdom by put...

The book of Daniel ends with a final vision detailing events in human history and God’s rule over them all. Before it begins, Chapter 10 turns our eyes to the spiritual world behind such events. This is challenging for modern people, but the spiritual world is more plausible than many expect. That spiritual world is also different than we often think, expanding our horizons and growing our sense o...

Daniel 9 is one of the most difficult passages in the Old Testament, and yet its central message is clear: God wants to bring his people home, and he will do it through Jesus Christ. The road home begins with God’s love for us, not our efforts or morality. And it leads to a home far better than we hoped: an existence free from sin, injustice, and pain, where all God’s promises are fulfilled. The w...

In the midst of visions, Daniel stops and reflects on the past seventy years of God's people in exile. Daniel's response is one of confession and petition – pouring out his heart in honesty, and pleading with God for mercy. Daniel's prayer shows us what it looks like to have a heart that seeks God. Application Questions:  1. What are your initial feelings about confession? Is this something you pr...

Daniel 8 records a vision of world empires clashing and God’s people suffering. This prophecy, written hundreds of years before the events took place, gave Daniel and his readers clarity for the chaos that was ahead of them—and it can do the same for us. God is at work even when things seem like they are falling apart. This makes you clear-eyed, firm footed, and warm-hearted as you walk through th...

Daniel transitions from stories to visions in chapter 7, using startling imagery that often leaves us confused and bewildered. The goal of these visions is to leave us comforted and hopeful, and as we look closer we see why: we find God’s kingdom juxtaposed against the kingdoms of earth, leading to a final clash that brings the kingdom of heaven to earth forever. When we have this grasp of human h...

Today we celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Cornerstone's sanctuary. Built in 1924, this building is filled with stories of God's provision, transformation, and the spread of his kingdom. As we commemorate this moment, we find that the reason this church has thrived throughout the generations is not a testament to our leadership, our character, or our vision - it is a testament to the mercy, po...

The famous story of Daniel and the lions' den concludes the narrative portion of the book of Daniel, and shows us how to navigate life in the midst of exile. In exile we must be wary of the world's agendas, we must seek faithfulness in our spiritual disciplines, and we must fix our hearts and eyes on God's glory. Application Questions:  1. Why should we be cautious when we encounter the world's re...