Cornerstone Church Kingston Podcast

Today, Tom shows us one of the most pivotal events in history through Genesis 25: 19-25. In this story, we see the folly of gratifying only the desires of the flesh, the terror of justifying means with ends, and the glory of Christ's inheritance. The event in question: the eating of a bowl of lentil soup.

Tom starts a new series going through the book of Genesis and exclusively focusing on the life of Jacob - a man who struggled with God. We can all take encouragement from the life of Jacob in the midst's of our own struggles, knowing that with faith and the grace of God we will overcome.

Tom continues our series in Matthew’s gospel, preaching from Matthew 16:13-28. In this passage we see Jesus explaining what will happen to him to his disciples, Peter’s reply, Jesus’ response to Peter, and the ultimate choice facing all of us. Tom leads us through thinking about what this means for us today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crkODyInhJ8

In this final stretch of the book of Ezekiel, Tom shows us the exhaustive measurements of the prophesied temple. Only - this temple was never built. So what is it? Could it be that this temple is not a building at all, but an image of something - or someone - far more glorious?

As we continue our series in Matthew’s gospel, Rory preaches from Matthew 16:13-20. In this passage we see Jesus talking with his disciples about one of the most important questions we could ever ask, and Rory poses the same question to us - who do you say Jesus is? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O12qysT3dTs

Behold: Armageddon! The last great conflict between the forces of good and evil...or is it? Today, Pete pulls back the curtain of time through Ezekiel 38, revealing the final battle at the end of days. Who is this fabled Gog? What form will this war take? And how was the battle won before it ever began?

"I'm offended!" Here Tom explores the difficult to parse image of Jesus' conversation with the Canaanite woman. Why did he stay silent? How could he call someone a dog? Observe her lack of offence - her embrace of humility. All she needed was a crumb of faith.

The exiled bones of Israel had been dried up, the land was desolate, but the time had come to return home. Through Ezekiel 36: 1-24, Pete shows us the wonderful story of God's restorative power. Like the exiles, we too have a land prepared for us. Like the exiles, we can come home.

As we return to our series in Matthew’s gospel, Rory preaches from Matthew 15:1-20. In this passage we see Jesus questioned by the Teachers of the Law, who travel from Jerusalem to ask him why his disciples don’t wash their hands before they eat. However, Jesus turns their question back on them, exposing their rejection of God’s law in favour of their own traditions, and teaching us all what true ‘religion’ is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R-otTyHvi0

Christ is risen! In this year's Easter message, taken from Acts 2: 14-39, Pete poses a question: what is the background music of your life? For the world, life is a bleak, sorrowful lament; but for the believer, that lament becomes a joyful celebration of a million hallelujahs. What, do you suppose, makes up the difference?

Tonight in this one-off special, our guest speaker Bart, from Hope Church Tolworth, preaches from Mark 11:12-25. In this passage we see Jesus cursing a fig tree, clearing out the temple courts, and explaining the meaning of all this to his disciples and those who would hear - that something greater than ‘religion’ (trying to gain access to God through our good deeds) is here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQd0R64-mjg

This week's special guest speaker, Stuart Davis, takes a look at the familial image of 1 John 2: 3-11. What does it mean to be a part of God's family? What assurances do we have that we truly are adopted sons and daughters? And how might we spot the impostors who talk holy talk - but don't walk a holy walk?

Tonight we have guest speaker Nathan Veall from Grace Church Leatherhead preaching from Psalm 24:1-10. In this passage we see the Psalmist focussing solely on God’s character - we see him that He is the Creator God who made and owns everything, that He alone is holy, and that the only appropriate response to this saviour-king is to worship him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSzHEEHJOP4

In this special thanksgiving service, Tom shows us the joy of Psalm 100. How often have we coldly turned away from our redeemer and called ourselves "self-made"? How wonderful it is then that we are instead God-made: made intentionally, made to be loved, and made to live in joyful thankfulness with our saviour.

Our series in the book of Matthew coincides with the baptism service of one of our members, Robin. As we celebrate this wonderful occasion, Tom preaches from Matthew 14:13-36, where we see Jesus feeding over five thousand people, walking out to the disciples on the lake in a storm, Peter going out to Jesus before sinking with Jesus catching him, and Jesus healing the sick. We see the great needs of humanity, and how Jesus meets every one of them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PRHhCwa5CM

By the time of Ezekiel 36:24 - 37:14, the exiles are crushed. Today, Rory shows us how their hopes were dashed to the dust like the driest bones: lifeless and futureless. Who could restore life to a nation so dead? But our God can raise the dead. Our God can even raise you.

As we continue in our series in Matthew’s gospel, Pete preaches from Matthew 13:53-14:13. In this passage we see Jesus teaching in his hometown, the townspeople’s response and King Herod’s reaction to hearing this. The very words of the loving God of the Bible are powerful to create, to destroy, to give life and to take it - so we ought to listen! But the reaction of the townspeople and King Herod show a very different response, and we see the consequences of their decisions. How are you doing with listening to the words of God? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v28jPMPrbwo

This week, Tom examines Jerusalem's post-mortem in Ezekiel 34: 1-24. The cause of death: negligence and self-interest on the part of their leaders. In the face of this total leadership breakdown, when apathetic shepherds rule unjustly, we need a Good Shepherd who will never, ever let us down.

Chris continues our series in Matthew’s gospel, preaching from Matthew 12:46-50. In this passage we see Jesus’ family come to speak to him when he’s surrounded by a crowd. We see Jesus’ (re)definition of ‘family’, the amazing contract between an earthly family and God’s family, and what it means for us today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrm_0HQhWkY

Tyre: a beautiful, powerful, influential city-state whose wares could be found on every shore. They were unstoppable - or so they thought. This week, Pete shows us how Ezekiel 28 turns away from bleeding Jerusalem and addresses its scoffing neighbours, beginning with wealthy Tyre. How the mighty shall fall.