Cornerstone Church, S.c.

Every Culture has it’s Stories What matters Who or what holds value\importance How to fit in Etc The stories that we believe in have REAL IMPACTS in our life Forms our value system Forms our identity Forms our morality   We are in the middle of a “STORY REWRITE” in our culture Forcing you to choose which story to be a part of This week, our song is… Go Tell It on the Mountain Go Tell It on The Mountain 1 While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night, behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light. 2 The shepherds feared and trembled when lo, above the earth rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth. 3 Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn. [Refrain] Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills, and ev’rywhere; go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born. SONG HISTORY: Born Pre Civil war in the spiritual songs of enslaved African-Americans Similar to “Swing low sweet chariot Sung at Chris

In our modern world, Christmas is all about… ANTICIPATION Anticipation: Waiting eagerly for something you know is going to happen Gifts Food Gatherings Lights The Story of Christmas is actually about a DIFFERENT type of waiting… LONGING Longing: A strong desire, especially for something unattainable Let’s talk about longing before we get to how it is a part of Christmas We have all experienced some sort of longing Nostalgia – Longing for a time in the past Sorrow – Longing for something lost Grief – Longing for someone who is gone We can long for… An opportunity that may never come Health outcome Financial windfall Etc   Longing – The Cracked Bowl Regardless of how much is put in, it always runs low Our hearts/souls also leak We are constantly needing to FILL BACK UP This leak is LONGING The trouble is… Our world offers MANY things that claim to “FILL OUR BOWL” To fix the longing Things like… Stuff – But it is never enough (The bowl leaks) Relationships – But we always get let down (The bowl leaks)

Thankfulness changes as you age… Stuff Relationships Health KEY QUESTION: Why is Thankfulness/Gratitude so important? Not your easy Sunday school answer Why do we teach it to our kids? Because… Being thankful is POWERFUL It is well-documented that GRATITUDE and ANXIETY cannot exist in our brains at the same time It also… Releases Toxic emotions Reduces physical pain Improves sleep quality Regulates stress Reduces depression This shouldn’t surprise us… Psalm 92:1–4 1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praise to your name, Most High, 2 to declare your faithful love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, 3 with a ten-stringed harp and the music of a lyre. 4 For you have made me rejoice, LORD, by what you have done; I will shout for joy because of the works of your hands.   True thankfulness is pointed at God A study at Pepperdine University found… First, those with religious gratitude reported markedly higher levels of nonreligious gratitude. More centrally, however, religious beliefs m

Last Week – Living in the tension We do that by understanding the NATURE of politics in this world… Politics are downstream of philosophy (how we think) and morality (what we do) Sum up of Daniel’s story Chapter 1: Captivity Introduced to Daniel and his friends Captives take from their home by invading Babylon and King Nebuchadnezzar Given new identities – Names of new pagan Gods Educated in the ways of Babylon but remain faithful God rewards them… Daniel 1 17 God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams of every kind. 18 At the end of the time that the king had said to present them, the chief eunuch presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king interviewed them, and among all of them, no one was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they began to attend the king. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king consulted them about, he found them ten times better than all the magici

We are looking down onto our current moment from a Biblical perspective If you are already offended, this conversation is not for you   Two-week series called: THRIVING IN BABYLON What is Babylon? Historical city of beauty, power, and evil God used the city as judgment on the People of Israel Destroyed Jerusalem and carried off much of its people Daniel and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Babylon became a SYMBOL Babylon is used as a symbol to represent the center of human society that is hostile to God Babylon symbolizes Rome in 1 Peter 5:13 and Revelation, referring to the church in Rome as “she who is at Babylon.” Like ancient Babylon, Rome was immoral and idolatrous, oppressing Judean exiles and persecuting Christians. Like Daniel and many others, we are called to live in the tension between God’s Kingdom and worldly kingdoms. More on Daniel next week   How do we do that? By Living in the tension… Living in Tension Rubber Band Tension Point #1: Regardless of who is elected, Jesus is still in charge Matth

Week 1… Know that you are in a spiritual battle Week 2… Walk in the light because the dark creates monsters Week 3… Wear the “uniform/armor” of the Christ Believer Week 4: Pray to know God and advance His kingdom   Ephesians 6:10-18 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.   How do we stand? How do we fight for our life? With a plan for Battle! How do you stand when things aren’t going well/your way? When life is unusually difficult   A plan for battle… Step

Silence in your prayer life is hard… Many of us have laid prayer aside Prayer is a POWERFUL weapon against Darkness Series: FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE Week 1… Know that you are a part of a spiritual battle Week 2… Walk in the light because there are monsters who destroy in the dark Week 3… Wear the “uniform” of the Christ believer Today, we are looking at how PRAYER plays a part in spiritual warfare The Spiritual Warfare in Ephesus Let’s look at what was happening during Paul’s ministry Acts 19 23 About that time there was a major disturbance about the Way. 24 For a person named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, provided a great deal of business for the craftsmen. 25 When he had assembled them, as well as the workers engaged in this type of business, he said, “Men, you know that our prosperity is derived from this business. 26 You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this man Paul has persuaded and misled a considerable number of people by saying that gods ma

Uniforms have two purposes 1: Identity Emergency situations professional situations 2: Practicality Most are utilitarian – Serve a purpose Series: FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE Week 1… We must know we are a part of a larger spiritual battle Week 2… We must walk in the light because there are monsters in the dark Today we are talking about… The “SPIRITUAL UNIFORM” of a Christian in the fight for their life   Background: Paul in Ephesus Much spiritual warfare for those Christian believers know for its practice of “dark arts”   Ephesians 6:10-17 10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to ta

Week 1, we learned that: We must know we are a part of a larger spiritual battle Today, we are looking at an important Biblical theme The theme is LIGHT AND DARKNESS Scripture uses several themes to separate the THINGS OF GOD and the THINGS NOT OF GOD Good and Bad Wisdom and Foolishness Righteous and Unrighteous Another of those themes is LIGHT AND DARKNESS An example of this is… 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. This leads to the questions: What exactly is LIGHT? What exactly is DARKNESS? Let’s Start with… Biblical Theology of Light and Dark   Genesis 1:1-4 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God sa

Not a PHYSICAL FIGHT — SPIRITUAL FIGHT Today’s Goal Know that we are a part of something bigger Knowing is half the battle This world is NOT WHAT IT SEEMS There is a behind the veil We live in BOTH… A PHYSICAL REALITY A SPIRITUAL REALITY More than just a body A soul/spirit Naturalistic vs. Theistic Worldview Naturalism – naturalism beliefs Naturalism: The belief that nature is all that exists and that all things supernatural (including gods, spirits, souls, and non-natural values), therefore, do not exist Theism: The view that all things are dependent in some way on one supreme or ultimate reality or being Naturism is what we have inherited Suspicious of anything that cannot be proven by science Trust the science But this has left us with a MEANING CRISIS What is the point of life if there is nothing beyond what we can see (naturalism) The spiritual tide is returning — But bring in with it the sharks Not all good things A recent study of 10,000 Gen Z individuals aged 13 to 25 years: 68% considered thems

The final week of our series: Blueprints: God’s Design for Church and Family Week 1: Blueprints for God’s Design of Family A Healthy Family is God’s Blueprint for human flourishing Individuals and the church Week 2: Laying The Foundation For Healthy Families Biblical Values form a strong foundation for healthy families Week 3: Quality Framing for Quality Families Christian Maturity is the quality that sets apart healthy families This series has been about… What works for YOUR FAMILY works for the church family What works for the CHURCH FAMILY works for your family   Our “HOUSE” is almost complete There is one last thing before it’s complete… A final walk-through INSPECTION Picks out things that may have been missed Things that were done wrong   The Importance of a BUILDING CODE Sets a standard of EXPECTATION Same as a job code of conduct etc When things aren’t done to code, the LOWEST BAR becomes the standard Dangerous Cheap Lazy way out   A house built to code is a safe home A Safe Home is a GOOD HOME Th

Week 1: Blueprints for God’s Design of Family The family is God’s blueprint for human flourishing Individuals and the church   Week 2: Laying The Foundation For Healthy Families Biblical values form a strong foundation for healthy families Individuals and the church Today is about: Quality Framing for Quality Families Framing is what gives the house… Structure Strength/resilience Holds up everything above it This isn’t actually about building houses; it is about building STRONG, HEALTHY FAMILIES   Like houses, they also provide: Structure Strength/resilience Holds up everything above it The framing that supports a healthy family is… MATURITY   The reason we’re talking about maturity is because… Maturity is modeled and grown in the FAMILY   Family is the primary place where maturity takes place Testing of maturity/quality   What is maturity? Maturity is a learned QUALITY Like a house that fell down — Lacked quality (Maturity) Diamonds Pressure Time Tough Does not break It does not get affected by things a

Series: Blueprints: God’s Design for Church and Family   Last week: The family is God’s blueprint for human flourishing Immediate Family God’s Family of Redeemed Humanity (CHURCH) As the family goes, so goes the culture Place of Societal Stability The enemy Hates the Family Because it is a blessing from God God used marriage and family as a METAPHOR for his relationship with His Church Bride of Christ God has and is redeeming the concept of the family   This leads us to… LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR HEALTHY FAMILIES   What are values? Values: Ideas and behaviors that are important to a person or group of people Values demonstrate who we are We ALL value something Culture is a combination of values The highway that leads us to flourish or decay Jesus teaches about values in this way… Matthew 7 24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’

Blueprints set a STANDARD How it should be When blueprints aren’t followed, disaster happens   That’s what this series is about… Blueprints God’s design for church and family God is a God of design Psalm 8:3-4 3 When I observe your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you set in place, 4 what is a human being that you remember him, a son of man that you look after him? A MAJOR THEME in the story the Bible is telling is:   Let’s first define Family: A family consists of people, usually related, with shared values that provide safety, guidance, accountability, respect, and forgiveness.   Let’s build a BIBLICAL THEME of Family… 1: God planned and placed the family at the beginning of creation Genesis 2:24 This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh. 2: God designed the family for human flourishing Genesis 1:28 God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea,

Usually, when we think of “COST,” it’s moneya product “costs” us “Blank amount of dollars.” But there is a more profound COST What it takes to get the money in the first place Let’s look a place where Jesus explains the concept Luke 14:26-33 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, and even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 “For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, after he has laid the foundation and cannot finish it, all the onlookers will begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This man started to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ What is a way for us to understand this “COST” Cost = Time + Energy The greater the “COST,” the greater the investment of our TIME and our ENERGY <Example> Holding the door for a stranger vs. A first date First Dat

Suffering we have all experienced it Some of us are going through it   Today – Going to approach it this way 1st: A Christian THEOLOGY of Suffering What does the Bible teach, and how is that different than other perspectives   2nd: A Pastoral Response How we can walk through really difficult times Let’s look at the IDEA of suffering When Bad people do bad things, bad things should happen to them Karma You get when you deserve   But what about when Bad things happen to GOOD PEOPLE? Child gets sick Stolen from Natural Disasters This is what is called in philosophy: THE PROBLEM OF EVIL Most suffering comes from evil or can be seen as evil   Let’s look at it from a few different perspectives…   BUDDISM We suffer because we are too attached to worldly things. Buddhism urges us to get past suffering by not clinging to material objects or even to relationships with other people. Buddhists say that a desire for things and relationships is what causes us to suffer.   HINDUISM Suffering is regarded as punishment

Cornerstone is a church “ON MISSION” We don’t exist to exist; we exist to accomplish something   Cornerstone’s Mission: We exist… To Help DISCONNECTED People to Find, Follow, and Be Like Jesus The word DISCONNECTED is key… As students of our culture, we must understand what is currently going on in our culture   One of the most significant issues facing Americans is: LONELINESS Facts on Loneliness: According to a study by Cigna, nearly half of all Americans report feeling lonely sometimes or always. The same study found that Generation Z (ages 18-22) is the loneliest generation, with 79% reporting feelings of loneliness. Social isolation is as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Loneliness can increase the risk of premature death by up to 50%.   All indications point to the fact that our culture is: More DISCONNECTED than ever Why? The reasons behind this epidemic include the prevalence of smaller and further-flung families, the decline in traditional social institutions such as faith organ

Perspective: What we see based on our circumstances   The reason I bring up perspective is… This series has been all about “LIVING WITH PURPOSE” What that purpose is will be determined by your PERSPECTIVE   In the first week, we learned the important foundational truths concerning our PURPOSE God created the world ON PURPOSE and FOR A PURPOSE   The ULTIMATE PURPOSE for EVERYTHING and EVERYONE is to GLORIFY GOD Isaiah 43:7 …everyone who bears my name and is created for my glory. I have formed them; indeed, I have made them.” Last week, we found out that we all have a PERSONAL CALLING A personal calling is simply God’s tug on our hearts toward a particular thing. It can be for a specific situation, a season of life, or a lifetime.  Finished last week with some best practices around finding out that calling Acts 13 2 As they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hand