Jesus's teaching on judgment in Matthew 7 isn't a prohibition against all discernment, but rather an instruction on how to judge righteously. We must first examine ourselves, addressing the 'logs' in our own eyes before helping others with their 'specks.' This self-examination fosters the humility necessary to approach others with love and a goal o…

Breaking free from the 'sin, hide, repeat' cycle requires honesty with God and others. Proverbs 28:13 reveals that covering our sins prevents prosperity, while confession leads to mercy. Like Adam and Eve in the Garden, we often hide our sins due to fear, shame, or pride, not realizing God already sees everything. When we harbor unconfessed sin, we…

In this sermon, we will explore Matthew 6:25-34, focusing on Jesus' teaching about worry. He explains that worry, like materialism, can hinder our relationship with God by dividing our attention and distracting us from trusting Him. The sermon highlights three key points: the reality of worry in a fallen world, the uselessness of worry (as it subtr…

Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:19-24 that we should store treasures in heaven rather than on earth, where they're vulnerable to loss and decay. Our treasures reveal our heart's true desires. When materialism clouds our vision, our priorities become distorted, leading us to worship created things rather than the Creator. Jesus emphasizes we cannot serve…

Jesus teaches that in His upside-down kingdom, our worship practices should be motivated by pleasing God rather than impressing others. Examining charitable giving, prayer, and fasting in Matthew 6:1-18, Jesus challenges us to examine the heart attitudes behind these spiritual disciplines. When we perform religious acts to gain human recognition, w…

Jesus offers a revolutionary approach to handling conflict in Matthew 5:38-42, challenging the misapplication of 'an eye for an eye' that had become a personal license for revenge. He teaches us to overcome evil with good rather than escalating conflicts through retaliation. This doesn't mean we should never resist evil or remain in abusive situati…

In Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus addresses a distorted interpretation of God's law that allowed people to limit their love to those like themselves. The religious leaders had twisted Scripture by adding 'hate your enemy' to God's command to 'love your neighbor as yourself.' Jesus corrects this by pointing to God's character, who extends care to all people…

Finding freedom begins with vulnerability - laying our brokenness before God and trusting others. When we hide our struggles, we perpetuate cycles of pain that affect everyone around us. True transformation starts with genuine repentance and surrender, allowing God to break and reshape us. Through vulnerability, we experience healing, discover auth…

In a world where loopholes and half-truths have become commonplace, Jesus calls His followers to a higher standard. As we continue through the Sermon on the Mount, we discover what it means to be citizens of God's kingdom, particularly in how we speak.By Thomas Cruthis

Marriage represents a divine covenant designed to reflect Christ's relationship with the church, though human sinfulness has led to increased divorce rates. Jesus addressed this issue by clarifying that while Mosaic law allowed divorce certificates as a concession, God's original intent was for marriage to be permanent. Biblical grounds for divorce…

Who is the angel of the LORD who appears several times in the Old Testament but disappears in the New Testament? Is he simply an angel of high ranking, or could he be the Son of God pre-incarnate? This episode seeks to answer this question!By Thomas Cruthis

Honoring mother figures in our lives requires putting God's love first and expressing that love through practical actions. This includes performing acts of service, speaking words of affirmation, giving quality time and attention, and teaching children to show respect. When we prioritize our relationship with God, we become better equipped to serve…

As J.I. Packer highlighted, the doctrine of the Trinity is a mystery, not a contradiction. Yet, as we seek understanding and try to help others grasp this attribute of God, we look for creative ways to do so. This episode explores a few well-known ways we have tried to explain the Holy Spirit in church life and why they fall short of doing so.…

This week, we examine one of God's most mysterious attributes: His Triune nature. Dive in with me as we examine Scripture and do our best to come away with a better understanding of our God and how He has revealed Himself! More Than Sunday Morning Links Trying to Understand the Trinity (Part 1): Three Distinct Persons Trying to Understand the Trini…

Lust and pornography present significant challenges in today's digital world, particularly affecting Christian communities. Jesus teaches that lustful intent equals adultery in the heart, emphasizing the importance of addressing not just actions but thoughts. The harmful effects of pornography include damaged relationships, objectification of peopl…

This week, we try to clarify an abstract attribute of God and unpack what it means for the woman who first heard it and us today!By Thomas Cruthis

Anger, like a small spark that ignites a wildfire, has the power to cause devastating damage in our lives and relationships. While not all anger is sinful, most stems from pride and selfishness rather than righteousness. Unresolved anger creates barriers in our relationship with God and hinders genuine worship. The path forward requires taking init…

Understanding the relationship between Jesus and Old Testament law is crucial for every believer's spiritual journey. Explore how Jesus fulfilled both the Mosaic law and prophetic writings, and discover the enduring relevance of Old Testament teachings. Learn about God's unchanging principles, the transition from Old to New Covenant, and why perfec…

Jesus faced widespread misunderstanding about His relationship with the Old Testament law during His ministry. While many accused Him of breaking the law, He actually fulfilled it perfectly. The confusion arose because religious leaders had elevated human traditions to the same level as Scripture. Jesus demonstrated the true intent of God's law whi…

Jesus provides two metaphors to help us understand who we are as His followers. Our identity teaches us how to influence our world for His Kingdom. But what does being salt and light tangibly look like for believers? (Matthew 5:13-16) Sermon Notes

This episode explores God's sovereignty and holiness as revealed to Isaiah, emphasizing the stark contrast between God's perfection and human sinfulness. Isaiah's vision leads to his confession of sin and subsequent cleansing by God, highlighting the necessity for divine grace. Ultimately, Isaiah responds affirmatively to God's call for service, un…

God's love transcends all boundaries and societal judgments, as demonstrated through Jesus' interactions with those deemed unworthy. The story of Levi, a tax collector whom Jesus called to discipleship, illustrates this unconditional love perfectly. We are challenged to examine our own tendencies to judge others and instead show the same grace we'v…

Has God told you to do something even when doing it didn't make much sense? Were you obedient even though it seemed senseless and not beneficial? Jeremiah found himself in a situation like this and was obedient. But what about God's person who helped him obey in bleak circumstances? See how God, being sovereign and omnipotent, helped the prophet be…

Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnipotent. What do these three words that we seldom hear and less often use mean about our God? How can these attributes of our God provide comfort, peace, encouragement, and hope during crises?By Thomas Cruthis

Matthew 5:1-12, known as the Beatitudes, presents Jesus’ teachings on the characteristics of those who belong to His Kingdom. These verses describe the humble, merciful, pure-hearted, and peacemaking individuals who, despite suffering or persecution, are blessed and promised rewards in heaven. Jesus redefines happiness, showing that true fulfillmen…

In this passage, we will discover who and what a disciple of Jesus is, can these four qualities of a disciple be said of you?By Thomas Cruthis

What are the attributes of God? How do we know them? Why are they important to know?By Thomas Cruthis

Sermon on Matthew 4:12-17By Thomas Cruthis

This week, we transition from bibliology to Theology Proper, the study of God Himself. Adventure Club's question for this coming Sunday is: "Who is the one true God?" To answer this question, they will look at 1 Kings 17, where the LORD, the God of the Bible, shows Himself to be the one true God as Elijah faces off with the prophets of Baal. Our th…

Why do we have the 66 books of the Bible we do? Why were others left out? This post explores and answers how we have the 66 books we have.By Thomas Cruthis

Does the Bible contain errors? How can we be sure? What is inerrancy? Can we know for sure we have today what God really said to the biblical writers in the past?By Thomas Cruthis

In this theology session, we look at Special Revelation. General revelation has let all people, in all places, and at all times know there is a God but fails to reveal the identity of this God and what it means for life. God uses special revelation to show who He is, what He is like, and how we are to relate to Him.…

Cornerstone, in general, dive into this week's Theology Thursday with me as we explore General Revelation. After all, 1 Timothy 1:17 says that God is invisible, so how can He exist? Parents, this video hopes to prepare you for what your child is learning in Adventure Club this Sunday. We want to equip you so that you can talk with your child after …

We finish our Christmas series in Matthew 2:13-23. In these verses, Matthew details the King's great escape. We will discover why this flight of Jesus and His parents from an enraged king is important and learn how to navigate living by Joseph's example.By Thomas Cruthis

Join Cody Finlen as he walks us through a familiar but powerful parable of Jesus!By Thomas Cruthis

Daniel 8 is loaded with astounding prophecy, which has come to pass fully and accurately! But why is biblical prophecy important? Is it simply enjoyable mind candy, or are there beneficial truths for us to believe that provide tangible benefits?By Thomas Cruthis

In the first part of Daniel 7, we discovered what Daniel saw in his vision; here, we see what Daniel learned from his vision and how what he learned can help us today.

What is the meaning of the four beasts in Daniel 7? What do these wild verses mean today as we approach another presidential election and face life's difficulties?

Daniel 6 recounts the story of Daniel being thrown into the lions’ den after defying King Darius' decree prohibiting prayer to anyone except the king. Miraculously, God protects Daniel by shutting the lions' mouths, leading Darius to acknowledge God's power and issue a decree honoring Him throughout the kingdom. It's a story we know well but during…

In Daniel chapter 5, King Belshazzar of Babylon hosts a grand feast using sacred vessels taken from the Jerusalem temple, dishonoring God. During the celebration, a mysterious hand appears and writes a message on the wall. Daniel is called to interpret it, warning that Belshazzar's kingdom is about to fall due to his arrogance and failure to honor …

We've all heard tales of legendary beasts and monsters that lurk in the shadows of the cultural fringe, folklore, and mythology. However, there is a beastly sin that lurks within all of us. Some believe that this sin is the root from which all other sins grow out of and bloom. What is this sin? What does God desire to form in its place and how does…

In Daniel 3 we discover how we can live courageously for Jesus wherever we are today and how our courage can encourage others now and later.By Thomas Cruthis

Daniel chapter two is full of prophecy. Some of the prophecies have been fulfilled and some still await fulfillment. Join us as we look at Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a colossal statue that robs him of his sleep meant for him and means for us today. We will wrestle with who or what the ten toes represent in this sermon too!…

The book of Daniel offers profound lessons on faith, cultural assimilation, and God's sovereignty. Daniel and his friends, taken to Babylon, resolved not to defile themselves with the king's food, demonstrating deep faith and respectful resistance. Their unwavering commitment led to divine favor and exceptional wisdom. Today, Daniel's story encoura…

Exploring the nature of God's goodness amidst suffering, we examine biblical stories and personal experiences to understand His mercy and grace. We discuss why bad things happen to good people, the story of Job, and the problem of God's mercy, ultimately finding that both blessings and suffering draw us closer to God. The key to faithfulness is con…

Exploring Acts Chapter 6, we learn about the emergence of deacons in the early church, a response to the growing community's needs. Deacons were established to manage the physical needs, allowing apostles to focus on teaching and prayer. Their qualifications included being respected, Spirit-filled, and wise. The selection process was communal, and …

Psalm 131 presents a powerful approach to finding peace in a restless world through humility, stillness, and hope in God. David's personal journey, amidst his struggles, teaches us to embrace our limitations, quiet our souls in God's presence, and place our unwavering trust in the Lord's faithfulness. These timeless principles offer a path to tranq…

In John 9, we explore the transformation of a man born blind who encounters Jesus and gains both physical sight and spiritual insight. Jesus' healing of the man's blindness is a powerful demonstration of God's works and leads to a profound understanding of faith and worship. The man's journey from questioning to bold testimony and finally to worshi…

In Luke 7:36-50, an unnamed woman demonstrates profound worship by anointing Jesus with expensive perfume, despite being a known sinner. Her actions contrast with Simon the Pharisee's judgmental stance, prompting Jesus to teach about forgiveness through a parable. This story encourages us to worship Jesus deeply, recognizing the magnitude of our fo…

Exploring Mark 2:1-12, we learn about the power of faith, determination, and prayer through the story of four friends who overcome obstacles to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus for healing. Jesus' response to their faith is both forgiving and miraculous, prompting us to remove life's distractions and commit to intercessory prayer, trusting in …