Luke 9:23Please read the scripture linked above before reading this month's article! Are we just followers, or true disciples of Jesus? There is a difference! If we are a true disciple, then we have rewards in heaven. If we are just followers, we may not. William Barclay said, “it is possible to be a follower… Continue reading The Price of Discipleship
Author: cornerstoneokc
Be Ready
Matthew 24: 44: “So, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him”. December 1, 2019 is the first Sunday of the Advent Season in the church year. The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” Jesus is coming – His arrival is just… Continue reading Be Ready
Thanksliving
I Thessalonians 5:16-18: 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. INTRODUCTION When some think about thanksgiving they generally think about 3 things: Family, Food, and Football! WHAT? Yes, I’m serious. When they think of that 4th Thursday in November, those are the first things that pop… Continue reading Thanksliving
Joyful Generosity
“Stewardship: Joyful Generosity” Philippians 4:10-20 It seems that some people refuse to give no matter what. I believe more people would give to God’s work through the Church if they just knew how fun it is! There is a great benefit to giving not only to the recipients of the gift, but to the givers,… Continue reading Joyful Generosity
Living in Victory
Joshua 6:1-20 Seven times on the seventh day the children of Israel marched around the city. The seven priests marching before the ark of the Lord blew their trumpets and the people shouted and the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. They marched into the city and destroyed every living thing. It was a victory… Continue reading Living in Victory
When the Church Prays
Acts 12:1-11 In his book on “Prayer”, E. M. Bounds emphasizes that a praying church is a successful church: “Success is sure to follow a church given to much prayer. The supernatural element in the church, without which it must fail, comes only through praying. More time in this bustling age must be given to… Continue reading When the Church Prays
The Church’s Core Values
All we need to do as a church is to let Him be our Shepherd. May God bless us as we strive to serve Him by serving others.
The Wild Goose
By Pastor Chris Symes Twice in the last month or so the Holy Spirit has showed up in worship and interrupted my sermon. The first time occurred in the Branch service some weeks ago. Brad, as he usually does at the beginning of the service being the worship leader, greeted us gathered there in… Continue reading The Wild Goose
To Mortality…And Beyond! (Ash Wednesday Sermon)
Just A Toy This summer the fourth Toy Story movie is coming out. I'm sure it will be great, but the first movie will always be my favorite. Toy Story, the first full-length Pixar film, tells the story of a group of toys belonging to a little boy named Andy, and Andy doesn't know… Continue reading To Mortality…And Beyond! (Ash Wednesday Sermon)
The Four -Minute Mile
Edwin Friedman, famous writer and sociologist, explains that for the longest time in the racing world no one could run the mile in four minutes or less. Many great runners had tried it. The great Swedish runners such as Gunder Haag and Arnie Anderson couldn't break it. Many sports writers were beginning to… Continue reading The Four -Minute Mile
Tread Marks
The black mark lays in the middle of the parking lot at the church I had previously served as pastor, the remnant of a tire peeling out. It’s not very big, but it will certainly be there for a long time. I never heard one remark, complaint, or cry about it, but it is unavoidably… Continue reading Tread Marks
Be the Winner
By Pastor Chris Symes I recently read an online article written by a woman (let’s call her Heather) who found herself in a fight with her husband one afternoon. The article was describing the way that she and her spouse sorted out quarrels. Rather than scream and cuss and throw things at each other, this… Continue reading Be the Winner
Following Jesus with Ms. Buntin
Above the dry-erase board in Ms. Buntin's eighth-grade classroom in Taft Middle School are posted four statements: I didn't get it. I need more practice. I can do it. I can teach it. Obviously, these are displayed to give students who struggle with learning a pathway to tackle their math assignments. I like these. We… Continue reading Following Jesus with Ms. Buntin
Who’s On Your List?
By Pastor Chris Symes So, who's on your list? The question is not "what" is on your list? So, I'm not talking about a to-do list or a grocery list. Who is on your list? The "who" I'm talking about are those people in your circles who have not yet become followers of Jesus, those… Continue reading Who’s On Your List?
A Love Story
By Pastor Chris Symes A few weeks ago on St. Patrick's Day, sitting on the porch of our large shed in the backyard I told my son the story of a young man named Patrick who had been kidnapped by raiders and taken to a large island called Ireland where he was forced to work… Continue reading A Love Story
On the Possibility of Following Jesus
On the Possibility of Following Jesus by Pastor Chris Symes A few weeks ago in Sunday morning worship, I preached from Mark chapter eight, verses thirty one through thirty-eight, in which Jesus says this: Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny… Continue reading On the Possibility of Following Jesus
My Favorite Word
My Favorite Word by Pastor Chris Symes If you've been around me lately you know that I have a mild obsession with the word "abide". In a conversation about faith or prayer, you are bound to hear me say it twice or maybe three times. It sort of reminds me of my younger days… Continue reading My Favorite Word
Who do you think Jesus is?
Who Do You Think Jesus Is? by Pastor Chris Symes "Who do you think Jesus is?" I asked the man sitting next to me whose Chevy Silverado I was driving. I met the man at our New Year's Eve game night at Cornerstone Sunday night at around 10. He wandered in from the brutal and… Continue reading Who do you think Jesus is?