Embracing Change: A Year of Faith and Love

 

Summary

As we embark on a new year, it's a time for reflection and renewal. This morning, I found myself praying for something extraordinary to happen in our services, and God answered in a remarkable way. A friend of mine, someone I've been praying for and building a relationship with, decided to get baptized. It was a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we share our faith and invest in others. As we look ahead to this year, I encourage you to think about what you want to see happen in your life. Reflect on the past year and identify the most life-changing events, whether they were expected or not. Often, the most significant changes come from unexpected events, and we must be open to the surprises God has in store for us.

Consider this: if you knew this year was your last, what would you do differently? Write down your priorities and start living them out now. At Cornerstone, we want to do things differently this year. We're rethinking our approach to membership, moving to a one-year commitment to ensure accountability and active participation. Membership is not just about attending services; it's about being part of a family, serving, and growing together.

The essence of our faith boils down to two simple commandments: love God and love others. These are not just tasks to check off a list but a way of life that naturally leads to growth, service, and community. As we focus on these two commandments, everything else will fall into place. Imagine if our church was known for its love for God and people, a place where everyone felt cared for and supported.

This year, I challenge you to commit to spending time with God daily. Even a few minutes each day can transform your life. It's not about obligation but about deepening your relationship with Him. As we journey together, let's hold each other accountable and encourage one another to grow in our faith.

Key Takeaways:

- Unexpected events often have the most significant impact on our lives. As we plan for the year, remain open to the surprises God may have in store, trusting that His grace will be sufficient for each day. [05:21]

- Reflect on what truly matters to you and start living as if this year could be your last. Prioritize your relationship with God and others, and don't put off what is most important. [07:47]

- Membership in the church is about commitment and accountability. It's a declaration of your intention to serve, grow, and be part of a community that loves God and others. [15:01]

- The core of our faith is to love God and love others. When we focus on these two commandments, everything else—growth, service, purity—will naturally follow. [19:07]

- Daily time with God is vital for spiritual growth. Commit to spending time in His presence, reading His Word, and praying, as this will be the foundation for a transformative year. [29:50]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - A New Year Begins
- [00:37] - A Baptism Story
- [01:51] - Reflecting on 2004
- [02:44] - Life's Unexpected Events
- [06:37] - If This Year Were Your Last
- [10:34] - Rethinking Membership
- [12:40] - The Purpose of Membership
- [16:16] - Commitments for the Year
- [18:38] - The Greatest Commandments
- [21:07] - A Church Known for Love
- [25:02] - Simplifying the Christian Life
- [29:50] - The Importance of Daily Time with God
- [34:05] - Engaging with Scripture
- [39:31] - A Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 22:36-40
2. Deuteronomy 6:5
3. Revelation 2:4-5

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the two greatest commandments according to Jesus in Matthew 22:36-40, and how do they summarize the law and the prophets? [18:38]

2. In the sermon, the pastor shared a personal story about a friend who decided to get baptized. What impact did this event have on the pastor and the congregation? [01:27]

3. How does the pastor describe the changes being made to church membership at Cornerstone, and what is the intended purpose of these changes? [14:49]

4. What analogy does the pastor use to describe the role of a pastor or elder, and how does it relate to spiritual growth? [28:47]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the command to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind influence a believer's daily life and priorities? [19:07]

2. The pastor challenges the congregation to reflect on what they would do if this year were their last. How does this exercise help in identifying true priorities and values? [07:47]

3. What does the pastor mean when he says that unexpected events often have the most significant impact on our lives, and how should believers respond to such events? [05:21]

4. How does the concept of church membership as a one-year commitment encourage accountability and active participation within the church community? [15:01]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the past year and identify one unexpected event that had a significant impact on your life. How did you respond to it, and what did you learn from the experience? [05:21]

2. If you knew this year was your last, what specific changes would you make in your daily routine to prioritize your relationship with God and others? [07:47]

3. Consider the pastor's story about his friend who got baptized. Is there someone in your life you have been praying for or building a relationship with? How can you take a step to share your faith with them this week? [01:27]

4. The pastor emphasizes the importance of daily time with God. What specific time and place can you set aside each day to spend in prayer and reading the Bible? [29:50]

5. How can you actively participate in your church community this year, whether through serving, giving, or building relationships? What steps will you take to ensure you are accountable to these commitments? [15:01]

6. Reflect on the two greatest commandments: loving God and loving others. What is one practical way you can demonstrate love to someone in your community this week? [19:07]

7. The pastor mentioned the importance of having a church known for its love for God and people. How can you contribute to creating such an environment in your church? [21:07]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace the Unexpected

Life is full of unexpected events that can have a profound impact on our lives. These moments, whether joyful or challenging, often shape us in ways we could never have anticipated. As we plan for the year ahead, it's important to remain open to the surprises that God may have in store for us. Trusting in His grace means believing that He will provide what we need for each day, even when the path is unclear. By embracing the unexpected, we allow God to work in our lives in extraordinary ways, transforming us and those around us. [05:21]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent unexpected event in your life. How can you see God's hand in it, and what might He be teaching you through it?


Day 2: Live with Urgency

Reflecting on the possibility that this year could be your last can bring clarity to what truly matters. It encourages you to prioritize your relationship with God and others, focusing on what is most important. This mindset helps you to live with urgency, not putting off meaningful actions and decisions. By living as if each day is a gift, you can make the most of the time you have, deepening your connections and living out your faith with intention. [07:47]

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12, ESV)

Reflection: If you knew this year was your last, what is one thing you would change about your daily routine to reflect your priorities?


Day 3: Commit to Community

Being part of a church community is about more than just attending services; it's about commitment and accountability. Membership is a declaration of your intention to serve, grow, and be part of a family that loves God and others. This year, consider how you can actively participate in your church community, contributing your gifts and talents to serve others. By committing to community, you create a space where everyone feels cared for and supported, fostering growth and unity. [15:01]

"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: What is one specific way you can contribute to your church community this year, using your unique gifts and talents?


Day 4: Love as a Way of Life

The core of our faith is to love God and love others. These commandments are not just tasks to check off a list but a way of life that naturally leads to growth, service, and community. When we focus on these two commandments, everything else—growth, service, purity—will naturally follow. Imagine if our church was known for its love for God and people, a place where everyone felt cared for and supported. [19:07]

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." (1 John 4:7, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one person in your life who needs to experience God's love through you. How can you intentionally show them love this week?


Day 5: Cultivate Daily Devotion

Spending daily time with God is vital for spiritual growth. It's not about obligation but about deepening your relationship with Him. Even a few minutes each day can transform your life, providing the foundation for a transformative year. By committing to daily devotion, you open yourself to God's guidance and wisdom, allowing Him to shape your heart and mind. [29:50]

"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." (Psalm 1:2, ESV)

Reflection: What specific time and place can you set aside each day to spend with God, ensuring it becomes a consistent and cherished part of your routine?

Quotes



how the most life-changing events are usually things that we don't expect and we don't plan for you know we can sit here and say you know let's let's make 2005 this or let's do this in 2005. but the truth is is that it seems like the things that change our lives the most the things that have the greatest impact are things that are out of our control [00:05:16]

if 2005 if I knew that 2005 was going to be the last year that I would spend on Earth what would I do okay it's a pretty normal question to ask yourself if I knew you know because honestly last year I didn't really think that a whole lot I just thought okay 2004 I lived as though 2005 was going to come I just pretty much assumed that I thought you know I'm 35 I'm in good shape you know whatever you know it's just it's just going to happen [00:06:29]

what I want you to do is is just to start writing down right now if you knew if you knew that 2005 was going to be your last year on this planet what would you do okay just start writing down some things you would do this year if you knew it was your last year on the planet [00:07:45]

you know why why not live it as though it's going to be our last because you really don't know and at that point it's gonna be too late and it's like okay these are things that matter to me in life and yet a lot of times these are the things we put off and other things seem more urgent because we assume we have more time [00:10:15]

one of the things one of the things that we're going to change is this it has to do with this issue of membership okay we started this church almost 11 years ago it was March of 94 that we started this church and uh you know so there was probably like 30 charter members you know that just automatically were in you know and uh and then over the last 11 years you know different people started creeping in and you know joining creeping and that sounds like we didn't want you to you know and people just started joining getting you know becoming members [00:10:34]

and so so hundreds and hundreds of people join over the last 11 years and uh and when you sign up for membership you say you know hey I'm going to commit to you know serving in the church finding my gift you know I'm gonna I'm gonna I'm gonna give I'm gonna you know protect the unity of this place I'm not gonna gossip I'm gonna help create Purity in this place and I'm gonna you know in all these different things that you commit to and it's you know and there's really no end to it it's like this lifelong commitment [00:11:21]

and Jesus replied love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul and with all your mind this is the first and greatest commandment and the second is like it love your neighbor as yourself all the law and the prophets hang on these two Commandments okay here's what I'm trying to do up here I don't want to complicate anything because Jesus made it very clear okay you just love me love me like crazy and love other people just just be madly in love with people be madly in love with me and then he says you got it [00:18:38]

I mean wouldn't it be incredible if Cornerstone was a place where people just went gosh I know people that go to Cornerstone and because they do anything for their God and they do anything for each other and do anything for me you know they're constantly helping me you know caring for me it's like they really love me and it's like if we can get those two things down which Jesus says really everything hangs on then we're sad we're sad that's all that's all we really want to think about [00:21:07]

for you if I could have one wish it'd be that every person in this church would spend time with God Alone every day um not just come to church not talk to other Christians not read books this or that but man if if we would just each commit to saying you know what I love you God so I want to talk to you and I want to know more about you and which at a time where we just even if it's 5-10 minutes at the very minimum gosh it would just be the greatest year of your life if you just committed every day to say I will spend time with him [00:29:50]

you and I we both know these things we know I'll be so much happier if I spend time alone with God reading his word and praying to him today I've been a Christian for 20 years 20 years and if I miss one day of time alone with God I feel it and my life can go in the tank so quickly it's it's almost annoying because you go man after all this year of building this up well 20 years of this committed to this thing I I go a week without spending personal time with the Lord and look out my life can go all sorts of different directions this is so vital so crucial to life of the church and I pray she'll make a commitment to that [00:42:45]

I think about my little girls you know I'm constantly asking them questions like hey what'd you do at school who'd you play with does she bug you you know what you know I want to know what's what's in your head you know what have I been doing that bugs you you know you like this you like that I just want to know them because I'm crazy about them it's the same thing with God the only way we can know him is going okay well what what do you like what what are your priorities what are things that really matter to you it's growing in knowledge [00:40:31]

and uh and and just do that every day this week so you have no you know excuse for a little blue booklet you know that'll guide you through the week next week we'll have all sorts of different helps that'll guide you through the year maybe uh tomorrow you'll want to go to the Christian bookstore and get a one-year Bible where you read the Bible in a year you know and you'll only be two days Behind These you know plow through it tomorrow you know but but you know just to say you know what this is what I want to do I I want to commit to this because there's no way you're going to get to the end of the year and and wish you hadn't spent time alone with God [00:43:47]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?