Cornerstone Church Kingston

Have you ever felt that there is too much bad news in the world? Through Luke 2:1-20, Tom announces that the greatest Good News of all: that God himself, whose hands shaped the heavens n took on the tiny hands of an infant. No grand and worldly powers could ever hope to compare with our Saviour.

‘Oh no, we don’t associate with those people.’ Sounds familiar? Chris shows us in James 2:1-13 that our Saviour shows no preference nor favouritism. To follow Jesus is to treat people as He did: with love regardless of station - and grace regardless of deeds. Don’t look down on your neighbour; look up to Christ.

In this month’s Mix looking at ‘Jesus in the Book’ Tom helps us see Jesus in Exodus. As we focus in on some of the most significant and well-known parts of the Exodus, Tom shows us how the scriptures point a neon arrow at Jesus as God with us, the great I AM, our Passover Lamb, and our High Priest.

At this special service where three of our members are baptised, Rory preaches from the verses chosen by those being baptised, focusing on Romans 5:8. As we consider the amazing testimonies of how God’s changed the lives of Hannah, Megan and Tamara, we consider just who Jesus is - how he transforms lives, how his story is true, and how he committed the greatest act of love in human history to bring you to God.

Rory continues our evening series in James, preaching from James 1:16-27. James exhorts the believers to watch their tongues and be slow to speak - but quick to listen. Often we can find this easy to agree with, but how often can we find ourselves promising to change but not following through? In this challenging section of James, Rory helps us think through how we can apply these verses practically so we don’t see ourselves in light of God’s word and immediately forget what we see - and the saviour to run to.

Pete continues the investigation in Luke 1: 26-56, in which a humble Judean teenager is among the first to hear the good news. The song she sings is not of her own blessing, but rooted in a confident assurance of God's faithfulness throughout the ages. Doesn't the good news of Jesus make you want to sing? Let Mary teach you how. 00:00 Introduction 00:36 Reading 04:27 The Investigation So Far 10:59 The Story 27:48 The Song 37:48 The Saviour And His Plan

Feeling disappointed? Try four hundred years of it. Tom resumes the apostle's account in Luke 1: 1-25 and 57-80, where a faithful priest and his wife, in the midst of personal and national misery, experience God's faithfulness firsthand. Pain is answered by promise, silence turns to song, and the new Elijah enters the world to herald the coming of the King. 00:00 Introduction 00:36 Reading 06:24 The Historian 10:06 The Pain And The Promise 31:05 The Silence And The Song 44:34 Closing Prayer

Delving into James 1: 1-18 and Psalm 73, Pete delivers a true challenge: when trials come, which way will you turn? Living in poverty is a true trial, but so is living in wealth. Both bring discontentment, hollowness and rationalising of sin. Isn't there a better way to live? God has one ready for you. Come and take the test. 00:00 Introduction 00:36 Reading 06:21 86,400 Seconds 14:21 Which Story Will You Live By? 33:12 Take The Test 57:15 Closing Prayer

Continuing our series in the book of James, Tom preaches from James 1:1-8. James starts as he means to go on - full of encouragement and full of challenge. Even in trials of all kinds, we can be confident of God’s sovereign care, his willingness to give us wisdom to trust him, and his purpose to make us increasingly like Jesus. But we must come to him alone, not rely on ourselves or hold onto allegiance to any other master. Even if our prayer is simply ‘I believe - help my unbelief’, the one we come to is our loving Heavenly Father, full of grace and truth - hold fast to him!

In this brand-new series on the Gospel of Luke, Pete bookends this orderly account with Luke 1: 1-4 and 44: 36-49. We have all heard the word of God, but how can we be certain it is true? This gospel writer - apostle, historian, doctor - understood the importance of certainty very well. Hear his evidence for yourself. 00:00 Introduction 00:36 Reading 02:32 What Is True? 11:19 Certainty 18:40 Careful Investigation 21:32 Eyewitnesses 36:58 Applications 47:00 Closing Prayer

As we begin our new series in the book of James, Tom introduces us to the book. Written by James the brother of Jesus, it is a short but punchy book that encourages and challenges believers about their faith. James pulls no punches about the reality of the Christian life lived by faith. As Tom unpacks the main themes of the book and prepares us for the sermons to come, some big questions arise: how do I know my faith is real? Does it cause a change to my life? Do my actions reflect my words? Will I hear the Word of God with humility?

September's Mix launches a new series: Jesus in the Book, which Pete begins, of course, at the beginning, in Genesis. Jesus' own genesis was not on the day of his birth, nor did he begin at all. He was always with the Father and the Spirit, ever constant. See how the earliest days of creation point to the coming of the saviour king.

In this one-off sermon, Bart preaches from 1 Samuel 29:1-11. In this passage we see David - not yet king of God’s people, and curiously marching to war against Israel with the army of the Philistines - being told to return back to their land by their king instead of go to battle with them. As Bart provides the context for this event in the Bible and unpacks these verses, we see how God is sovereignly directing these events in unexpected, quiet, merciful ways to fulfil his purposes for his glory, and we consider what this means for us today.

Is there anyone you thought God couldn't save? Guest speaker Rob examines one such man found in 2 Kings 5: a high-standing enemy of God, brought low by disease and raised up as a new creation. Though his pride shackled him, humility freed him. Naaman's case could easily be our own, if only we would come to the Lord and be cleansed. 00:00 Introduction 00:36 Reading 06:13 God's Grace To The Most Unlikely Of Men 14:16 God's Grace Is Free But It Humbles 21:55 God's Grace Transforms 26:42 Applications 33:34 Closing Prayer

As a special one-off sermon, Maurice Kinnaird preaches from Luke 24:13-53. In this passage we see Jesus meeting with two disciples on the road to Emmaus - and he causes their hearts to burn within them with affection for himself! But Jesus doesn’t even reveal himself to them, and they are downcast emotionally when he meets them… sometimes we don’t ’feel it’, so how do we grow in affection for Christ? As Maurice unpacks these verses for us, we see that affection for Christ is connected with the scriptures - old and new testaments - and knowing and trusting the truth of God’s word, rather than relying on emotions alone.

Returning guest speaker Maurice opens up the wonder of Psalm 2, identifying the universal problem in every human heart. The world is in open rebellion against God, but what is the limited power of meagre man to the almighty God? Our Lord will not be shouted down. Come and pay homage to the King today. 00:00 Introduction 00:36 Reading 03:43 Unfair Verona 05:59 The Universal Human Problem 12:07 The Lord Speaks 22:59 God's Promise To His Son 30:15 Kiss God's Son 40:46 Closing Prayer

In this grand finale of Esther 9 - 10, Alex presents the promised day of deliverance from Haman and his schemes. Evil is defeated, the people are saved and justice is upheld, but it is not the end. Esther's story echoes through the generations of the Lord's people, reminding us of the promised home we have yet to see - and the wonderful deliverer who will take us there.

Pete's latest exploration of the songbook of Hebrews is from Psalm 8, quoted in Hebrews 2: 5-9. Here we witness the choirmaster at the head of it all, who conducts the song of the universe according to His grand design: the God who spoke stars into being, who sustains the cosmos with a thought, cares for one so small yet so important as you.

Alex concludes our series in Esther, preaching from Esther 9:1-10:3. In this passage we see the fallout of the counter-edict decreed by Esther and Mordecai - the Jews are able to defend themselves against those who want to kill them. As we finish this incredible book, we consider what it was all about - and the salvation it ultimately points to.

The next page in the songbook of Hebrews is Psalm 22, referenced in Hebrews 2: 5-18, where Rory shows us a harrowing yet beautiful picture of the cross. This Psalm, written so many years before the coming of Christ, presents a truly awe-inspiring account of the suffering saviour. Have you looked at the cross lately? Come and see it like never before.