Embracing Authenticity, Love, and Community in Christ
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the foundational core values that define our community at Cornerstone Church: authenticity, love, and community. These values are not just words but principles that guide our actions and shape our culture to be more Christlike. We began by acknowledging that this church is not ours but God's, and our mission is to align our work with His will. This alignment starts with prayer and fasting, recognizing that without God's power, our efforts fall short.
Authenticity is our first core value. We are called to be genuine, acknowledging our imperfections and understanding that personal perfection is not God's expectation. The Apostle Paul exemplifies this by admitting his past mistakes and recognizing that his transformation is due to God's grace. We are encouraged to be honest about our struggles, knowing that God uses our brokenness to bring healing and growth.
Love is our second core value, and it is the greatest commandment. Jesus taught us to love God and our neighbors unconditionally. This love transcends cultural, social, and personal differences, and it is through this love that the world will recognize us as His disciples. We are reminded that our love for one another should be evident in our actions, not just our words.
Community is our third core value. We are not just attendees of a church service; we are a family living in gospel-centered community. This community multiplies our joy and divides our sorrow, as demonstrated by the support my family received during my wife's battle with cancer. The local church is a unique place where diverse people come together to serve and love one another, and it is essential for our spiritual growth.
As we continue to live out these values, we are reminded that our church is not about competition or being the trendiest. Instead, we are committed to being a resource for our community and loving people as they are. We invite everyone to join us in this journey of authenticity, love, and community, as we strive to be more like Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
1. Authenticity in Faith: Embrace authenticity by acknowledging your imperfections and understanding that God does not expect personal perfection. Like Paul, recognize that transformation comes through God's grace, and be honest about your struggles to allow God to bring healing and growth. [22:38]
2. Unconditional Love: Love God and your neighbors unconditionally, as Jesus commanded. This love should transcend cultural, social, and personal differences, and it is through this love that the world will recognize us as His disciples. [35:22]
3. Community as Family: Engage in gospel-centered community, which multiplies joy and divides sorrow. The local church is a unique place where diverse people come together to serve and love one another, essential for spiritual growth. [44:13]
4. Living Out Core Values: Our church is not about competition or being the trendiest. We are committed to being a resource for our community and loving people as they are, inviting everyone to join us in this journey of authenticity, love, and community. [50:06]
5. Transformation Through Christ: If you are struggling with past mistakes, remember that in Jesus, your past no longer determines your future. You have been made new, and God uses the church community to shape and transform you into who you are meant to be. [32:54]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [15:59] - Opening Prayer
- [16:54] - Introduction and Personal Reflection
- [17:37] - Aligning with God's Will
- [18:24] - Cornerstone DNA and Core Values
- [19:37] - Creating a Christlike Culture
- [20:29] - Core Value: Authenticity
- [22:38] - Paul's Example of Authenticity
- [25:04] - Embracing Imperfection
- [26:17] - Confession and Healing
- [28:36] - Biblical Examples of Struggle
- [32:54] - Transformation Through Grace
- [34:41] - Core Value: Love
- [37:19] - Love as a Mark of Discipleship
- [44:13] - Core Value: Community
- [46:40] - Celebrating Together
- [50:06] - Commitment to Community
- [51:32] - Living Out Our Values
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Cornerstone Church Core Values
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10
2. Matthew 22:35-40
3. Hebrews 10:23-25
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Observation Questions:
1. In 1 Corinthians 15:9-10, how does Paul describe his past and his transformation? What does he attribute his transformation to? [21:59]
2. According to Matthew 22:35-40, what are the two greatest commandments that Jesus highlights? How do these commandments relate to the core value of love? [34:41]
3. Hebrews 10:23-25 emphasizes the importance of community. What specific actions does this passage encourage believers to take? [43:10]
4. How did the pastor describe the role of the local church in his family's life during his wife's battle with cancer? [45:17]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Paul's acknowledgment of his past mistakes in 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 serve as an example of authenticity for believers today? [22:38]
2. In what ways does the command to love God and love your neighbor in Matthew 22:35-40 challenge cultural and personal biases? [35:22]
3. Hebrews 10:23-25 speaks about not neglecting to meet together. Why might this be particularly important in today's context of digital and often isolated living? [44:13]
4. The pastor mentioned that the church is not about competition or being trendy. How does this perspective align with the core values discussed in the sermon? [50:06]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you struggle to be authentic with others? What steps can you take to embrace authenticity in your faith community? [22:38]
2. Think of a time when you found it difficult to love someone unconditionally. What practical steps can you take to overcome these challenges and love as Jesus commanded? [35:22]
3. How can you actively contribute to building a gospel-centered community in your church? Are there specific actions you can take to support and encourage others? [44:13]
4. The pastor shared a personal story about the church's support during a difficult time. How can you be a source of support and encouragement to someone in your community who is going through a tough time? [45:17]
5. Consider the idea that the church is not about competition. How can you shift your mindset to focus on being a resource for your community rather than competing with other churches? [50:06]
6. Identify one person in your life who may feel isolated or disconnected from the church community. What is one specific action you can take this week to reach out and include them? [44:13]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about transformation through Christ. Is there a past mistake or regret that you need to let go of? How can you embrace the new identity you have in Christ? [32:54]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Imperfection Through Authenticity
Authenticity in faith means acknowledging our imperfections and understanding that God does not expect personal perfection. The Apostle Paul serves as a powerful example of this, as he openly admitted his past mistakes and recognized that his transformation was due to God's grace. By being honest about our struggles, we allow God to use our brokenness to bring healing and growth. This authenticity is not about showcasing our flaws but about being genuine in our walk with God, knowing that His grace is sufficient for us. [22:38]
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle with imperfection? How can you invite God into that space to bring healing and growth today?
Day 2: Unconditional Love as a Mark of Discipleship
Unconditional love is the greatest commandment, as taught by Jesus. This love transcends cultural, social, and personal differences, and it is through this love that the world will recognize us as His disciples. Loving God and our neighbors unconditionally means that our actions should reflect this love, not just our words. It is a call to love others as Christ loves us, with a selfless and sacrificial love that seeks the best for others. [35:22]
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is difficult to love. How can you show them unconditional love in a practical way today?
Day 3: Community as a Source of Joy and Support
Engaging in a gospel-centered community multiplies our joy and divides our sorrow. The local church is a unique place where diverse people come together to serve and love one another, which is essential for spiritual growth. This community acts as a family, providing support in times of need and celebrating together in times of joy. It is a place where we can be vulnerable and find encouragement, knowing that we are not alone in our journey. [44:13]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to your church community this week, either by offering support or by seeking it?
Day 4: Living Out Core Values in Everyday Life
Our church is not about competition or being the trendiest. Instead, we are committed to being a resource for our community and loving people as they are. This commitment involves living out our core values of authenticity, love, and community in our daily lives. It is an invitation to join in a journey of becoming more like Jesus, where our actions reflect our beliefs and where we strive to make a positive impact in the lives of those around us. [50:06]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical way you can live out the core values of your church in your daily interactions this week?
Day 5: Transformation Through Christ's Grace
If you are struggling with past mistakes, remember that in Jesus, your past no longer determines your future. You have been made new, and God uses the church community to shape and transform you into who you are meant to be. This transformation is a process that involves surrendering to God's grace and allowing Him to work in and through you. It is a journey of becoming more like Christ, where your identity is rooted in Him and not in your past. [32:54]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: What past mistake are you holding onto that you need to release to God? How can you embrace your new identity in Christ today?
Quotes
We start by praying and fasting because nothing happens without the power of prayer. See, without the power of prayer, we can only do what we're capable of, and that falls far short of what needs to be done. But God can do anything when his people humble themselves and pray. [00:18:02]
We Are Who We Are by the grace of God, and we're not who we could be by his Mercy. This is quite POS actually not quite possible. He is the most prolific figure in the New Testament Church writing, for I am the least of. That's incredible. [00:22:41]
The Christian life is never about perfection. We're all just a bunch of Hypocrites saying one thing and doing another, but hopefully doing it less the longer we live. The Christian life is always about just making progress, and I know this because of how brutally honest the Bible is. [00:23:45]
The Bible is clear when you're with God's people, you can take off that mask you wear in the world. We want you to walk in here as you are, not as you want us to think you are. Believe it or not, we want to know the real you, not for the made-for-TV version. [00:26:00]
If you're struggling with this, let me just make this clear: if you're in Jesus, your past no longer determines your future. You have been made new. That one thing you can't stop feeling bad about, Jesus died for it on the cross. Leave it there. [00:32:59]
You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments. [00:34:50]
Jesus told his followers in John 13, I give you a new commandment: love each other as I have loved you. Love one another. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. [00:37:21]
Living in gospel-centered Community multiplies our joy and it divides our sorrow. Nobody here, I believe, knows this better than me. This church has carried my family on their back for eight years since the first time we found out that my wife had cancer. [00:44:17]
Where else do you see every culture and every generation represented, loving one another and serving God together? Nowhere else. There's no other place like this. You will never find a replacement for the local church ever. [00:47:15]
We value other Church communities. Our heart grieves when any church on Long Island closes. So if you want to be in competition, some of you have church hurt. This is better than my last Church. Don't ever say that. Don't ever put down another church in this place. [00:49:40]
Cornerstone values are actual community that God has placed Us in. We're going to invite people in, not try to keep people out. We want to be a resource for the families in our community and our school district. [00:50:19]
We believe in authenticity. What you see is what you get. We believe in love, and then without love, all the other stuff we call worship is worthless. And we believe in living in community. Those are the beliefs that guide our behavior. [00:51:32]
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