Sermons on Spiritual Disciplines
Receptivity | Luke 8:4-15
Listen as Pastor Ron explores the message of the parable of the sower. Discussion Questions 1. Is the intent of this passage to help us discern who is “saved?” 2. Is it possible for all four soils to co-exist in one person? 3. How do we explain the lesson of this parable in light of Isaiah 55:10,11 ? 4. Can the lesson of this parable be applied to the church ? Is that helpful, and encouraging?
Reminders | 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
Pastor Ron finishes our series going through 1 Thessalonians and remembering what it means to have a “Better Life Now”. Discussion Questions 1. How and why do we hold leaders in the highest regard? 2. Notice the instructions in verses 14-18. They allow for no exceptions. In light of that why are Paul’s counsel in verses 19-22 and his prayer in verses 23,24 important? 3. What is the difference between “quenching”or putting out the fire of the Holy Spirit (5:19)…
Why Serve God? | Malachi 3:13-18
Listen as Pastor Ron continues our series in Malachi, “Why So Apathetic?”. How are we motivated to serve God? Watch Here Discussion Questions 1. Why do you think so many pastors leave the ministry? 2. Why are believers hesitant to step forward to serve the Lord? 3. Has the church fostered a self centered christianity? If so, how? 4. What rewards are there for serving God?
God, What Do You Want From Me? | Malachi 3:6-12
Listen to this message from Pastor Ron as we explore the topic of giving as presented in Malachi. Watch Here Discussion Questions 1. Do you think believers today suffer repercussions for “withholding from God? 2. What do you think are some reasons believers don’t give more to God and His work? 3. What kind of blessings can we expect if we are giving God His “due”? Why? 4. If believers gave an amount based upon “what they decided in their…
Lack of Leadership | Malachi 2:1-9
In this message from Malachi 2, Pastor Ron explores the great responsibility that comes with biblical leadership. Discussion Questions 1. In light of Malachi 2:1-9 and James 3:1; why are pastor/teachers judged with greater strictness? 2. How can we lend to effective (successful) ministry rather than failure by our pastor? 3. What are the essential responsibilities of a pastor? 4. Why do so many pastors either fail or leave the ministry?
Sacrifice | Luke 9:1-6, 10-27
Do we live lives marked by sacrifice? Pastor Ron challenges us with this message on sacrifice. Watch Here Discussion Questions 1. Do you think sacrifice is the distinguishing mark between a “believer” and a “disciple”? 2. What does “sacrificial living” involve for you? 3. Why does Jesus say take up your cross daily?
Our Identity Speaks: A Rapid Test of the Heart | James 3:1-12
Pastor Dan Kasey was our guest preacher for Sunday, July 17, 2022 and shared a message on James chapter 3. Dan is the associate pastor at Faith Evangelical Free Church in Acton. Watch Here Discussion Questions 1.) How does this passage relate to our identity in Christ? 2.) Review 3:8-12 along with 1:6-8. What dangers do you see in the double-minded person? 3.) Have you experienced times in your life when it…
Praise The Creator | Psalm 8:1-9 (Terry Shanahan)
Terry Shanahan, our CCCC Regional Ministry (soon-to-be retiring) preached on Psalm 8 on Sunday, June 5th, 2022. Enjoy. You can listen to all of his Cornerstone sermons here. Discussion Questions Ice Breaker: What is your favorite thing to do when you have leisure time? Get outdoors? Take a hike? Go camping? Prayer: Do you have a prayer or praise you would like to share? Let’s pray for one another. Reread Psalm 8: When was the last time you experienced God’s majestic…
Part 9. “H” – Help the Needy | Zechariah 7:8-12 & Matthew 25:31-46
We’ve been working through the word “F.L.O.U.R.I.S.H.” in our Faith & Flourishing in Politics sermon series. Today we’re finishing our acronym. Let’s review: F – Faith, Not Fear (or “faithful presence”) L – Love God & Neighbor (enemies too) O – Other Peoples’ Good (shalom/common good) U – Understanding & Wisdom R – Reign of Christ I – Image of God (Imago Dei) S – Speak Prophetically H – Help the Needy Last week we talked about speaking prophetically. We…
Part 4. “O” – Other Peoples’ Good | Genesis 1:28; Jeremiah 29:4-7; Acts 2:42-47
We are now in our fourth week, third word, of our sermon series, Faith & Flourishing in Politics. F stands for “Faith, Not Fear.” L is “Love God & Neighbor,” and today we’re on O, “Other Peoples’ Good.” A British game show in the late 2000s tested whether people would put other peoples’ good before their own. The show was called Golden Balls, which was named after golden balls the size of tennis balls that had money from £10 to…
Life with God | John 15:1-8 (Jesus is the Vine, the Tree of Life)
The actual sermon on Sunday, September 26th, came out much differently than the one written below. Please watch the video of the service here to see how the Spirit moved. This summer I started reading (and am still reading) a book by Skye Jethani called With. In With Skye talks about the four different ways people generally relate to God (pp. 6-7, 169-170): Life Under God — You may relate to God this way if you feel like you never…
Loads of Grace | Galatians 6:1-10
Pastor Sam Kim of the Intercultural Mission Church in North Andover returned to Cornerstone Congregational Church to share a message about bearing one another’s burdens and the grace that allows us to do that. Watch Here