Cornerstone Church, S.c.

Worship is the fuel that sustains a courageous church, extending far beyond Sunday songs to encompass our entire lives. We were created with a space that only God can fill, and when we worship anything else, we diminish ourselves. True worship involves both mind and body, as Romans 12 teaches us to present our bodies as living sacrifices while being transformed by the renewing of our minds. Modern idols like money, body image, and entertainment compete for our devotion, but corporate worship recalibrates our hearts and anchors us to God's truth. By examining what we truly worship and realigning our lives accordingly, we become more fully who God created us to be.

God's plan for changing the world centers on the local church, which Jesus promised would prevail against the gates of hell. Christians are called to be salt and light, preserving culture and illuminating darkness through courageous action. Fear, however, often paralyzes the church as it did the Israelites at the edge of the Promised Land. A courageous church preaches the whole Bible, confronts spiritual darkness, challenges people to change, and speaks truth when culture demands silence. This courage manifests personally when we stay in difficult situations, speak truth at personal cost, live by God's wisdom, and help those who cannot reciprocate.

Building a legacy of faith requires intentional discipleship across generations. Drawing from Deuteronomy 6 and Joshua's example of creating stone memorials, we learn that our testimonies of God's faithfulness should be shared openly with future generations. Research shows that young people are more likely to maintain their faith when they have multiple adult mentors and participate in intergenerational worship. Rather than allowing social media to disciple our children, we must actively share both the gospel and our lives with them. Every believer, regardless of age, has a vital role in passing on faith through authentic relationships and shared experiences.

God's vision for the church includes three key characteristics: diversity that reflects heaven, intergenerational community, and functioning as a true Christian family. Churches fulfill their mission through the 'C3 wheel': connecting people to God, caring for one another, and cultivating powerful faith. When believers understand their 'why' - both personally and collectively - they gain clarity about their direction and can better fulfill God's calling. As churches navigate transitions, they must remember God goes before them, preparing the way for new seasons of ministry. Every believer has a responsibility to move beyond being a spectator to becoming an active participant in building God's kingdom.

The concept of giving to God begins in Genesis with Abel's first fruits offering, while tithing (giving a tenth) first appears with Abraham. While the Old Testament established specific tithing requirements, the New Testament emphasizes generous, cheerful giving that flows from a transformed heart. Early Christians actually shared everything they had, going beyond the 10% standard. We give because we believe God's promises, to support Kingdom work, and because generosity actually blesses us spiritually, emotionally, and even physically. Though some may abuse religious giving, true biblical generosity isn't about rules but relationship with a generous God.

In this sermon, the pastor addresses the question 'Why should I trust the Bible?' by examining both historical evidence and personal application. He explains that the Bible is a collection of 66 books written over 1500 years by approximately 40 authors, with the New Testament written within 15-60 years after Jesus' death by eyewitnesses. The pastor contrasts this with other historical figures whose biographies were written hundreds of years after their deaths. He discusses the remarkable preservation of biblical texts, including over 5,800 Greek manuscripts and the Dead Sea Scrolls which demonstrate textual consistency over thousands of years.

In this episode of the Cornerstone Church podcast, Pastor Dustin Bates kicks off a thought-provoking series titled "Summer Road Trip: Navigating the Hard Questions." The first question tackled is central to the Christian faith: "What does it mean to be a Christian?" Pastor Dustin uses the analogy of a summer road trip to explore intricate and challenging theological concepts. He outlines the importance of "right thought" and "right action" as foundational to the Christian life, offering a formula that equates to genuine Christian faith. Throughout the sermon, Pastor Dustin delves into the historical context of Christianity, touching on the formation of key doctrines such as the Nicene Creed to address critical misconceptions and heresies. He highlights the essence of Jesus as both fully God and fully man, and the significance of the Holy Trinity. Through vivid analogies and impassioned teaching, listeners are encouraged to distinguish true Christian beliefs from cultural and religious misconceptions. The mess

Thanks for joining us on the Cornerstone Church Podcast! Find the sermon notes here Connect with us here Partner with us financially here

Thanks for joining us on the Cornerstone Church Podcast! Find the sermon notes here Connect with us here Partner with us financially here

Thanks for joining us on the Cornerstone Church Podcast! Find the sermon notes here Connect with us here Partner with us financially here

Thanks for joining us on the Cornerstone Church Podcast! Find the sermon notes here Connect with us here Partner with us financially here

Thanks for joining us on the Cornerstone Church Podcast! Find the sermon notes here Connect with us here Partner with us financially here

Thanks for joining us on the Cornerstone Church Podcast! Find the sermon notes here Connect with us here Partner with us financially here

Thanks for joining us on the Cornerstone Church Podcast! Find the sermon notes here Connect with us here Partner with us financially here

Thanks for joining us on the Cornerstone Church Podcast! Find the sermon notes here Connect with us here Partner with us financially here

Thanks for joining us on the Cornerstone Church Podcast! Find the sermon notes here Connect with us here Partner with us financially here

Thanks for joining us on the Cornerstone Church Podcast! Find the sermon notes here Connect with us here Partner with us financially here

Thanks for joining us on the Cornerstone Church Podcast! Find the sermon notes here Connect with us here Partner with us financially here

Thanks for joining us on the Cornerstone Church Podcast! Find the sermon notes here Connect with us here Partner with us financially here

Thanks for joining us on the Cornerstone Church Podcast! Find the sermon notes here Connect with us here Partner with us financially here