Cornerstone Church Kingston Podcast

From our human perspective the world appears to be random, even chaotic and so there are two main approaches to life: to be careful or to be care-free. In our sermon today Pete takes us through Ecclesiastes 10:1-3, 20-11:6. In these verses, we see the weaknesses of both these approaches and how the gospel allows us to fully engage with life and avoid either extreme. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKo5-1uK-4M

Tom continues our series in Ecclesiastes, preaching from Ecclesiastes 8:9-9:16. In this passage the writer shares his observations of the wicked and the righteous, and the way their lives seem to go - and he tackles the hard questions of seeming injustice from a place of real life. How are we to understand the hardest parts of life? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwEJ1Nou82s

As we continue our series in the book of Judges, Rory preaches to us from Judges 19:1-30. In this passage we see the story of the Levite and his concubine. We see the horror of sin, the darkness of God’s people, and what this all means for us today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N2acjqOVls

In this special, Ben returns to preach from 1 Peter 2:10-21. In this passage we see the charge on believers to commit their whole selves to a life worthy of the gospel they have received. In terms of living as a Christian, it can be easy to look the part - but are our hearts inclined to Jesus like our actions might profess? Could you be ‘sleepwalking’ through the Christian life?

Throughout history there have been many ideas about about what christianity is about - community, social action, love, ritual, etc. In our special sermon today Bart takes us through Luke 9:18-27 where Jesus reveals his identity and mission to his disciples. Listen in to understand what Jesus tells us about the essentials of christianity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KLXRWI8ZtA

As we continue our series in the book of Judges, Phil preaches from Judges 17:1-18:31. In this section of Judges, we see some notable events that take place amongst God’s people following the death of Samson, a period after the recent cycles of ‘sin-judge-salvation-sin-judge-salvation’ where God’s people are living in unrestrained idolatry. In this passage, we see the events surrounding Micah, his idol and idol-worship, and what it all means for us today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkOyOSs3F80

Today Rory continues our series in Ecclesiastes. In Ecclesiastes 7:15-29, the teacher wrestles with the paradox of the righteous perishing while the wicked prosper. In the face of this paradox, the teacher highlights two responses: legalism and lawlessness. How do we heed to the teacher's advice to avoid these extremes? How does the work of Jesus resolve this paradox for us? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB7qziuuJyo

As we continue our series in the book of Judges, Geraint preaches to us from Judges 16:1-31. In this passage we see the remainder of Samson’s life, and his eventual death - we see his relationship with Delilah, his eventual downfall, God’s mercy throughout it all, and what this all means for us today. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tjFg1J4t4f4

Today Rory continues our series in book of Ecclesiastes. In Ecclesiastes 6:10-7:14, the teacher contrasts death and birth, suggesting that death teaches us more about life than birth. How can embracing wisdom lead us to contentment and a better understanding of life's uncertainties?

As we continue our series in the book of Judges, Tom preaches from Judges 14:1-15:20. In this passage we see some of the major events of Samson’s time as Judge over God’s people - we see his interactions with the Philistines, God’s sovereign hand at work, and what it all means for us today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlONB9wNOCY

In Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12, the teacher reflects on the futility of pursuing utopian dreams grounded in the pursuit of wealth and material possessions. Pete takes us through these verse and we see how we can shift our focus from earthly pursuits to the eternal fulfillment found in knowing and trusting God. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzCPRrpS7zs

Chris continues our series in Judges, preaching from Judges 13:1-25. In this passage we see the birth of Samson against the backdrop of the continued rebellion of God’s people - we see the circumstances of his birth, allusions to a greater story, and what it means for us today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK9YorVPy-s

Today, Pete continues our series in the book of Ecclesiastes. In Ecclesiastes 5:1-7, the teacher reflects on the futility of a religious lifestyle devoid of genuine connection with the Lord. How can we ensure our worship is grounded in authentic connection with the Lord rather than mere religious activity? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry2mY9e917M

As we continue our series in the book of Judges, Pete preaches to us from Judges 10:6-11:40. In this passage we see Jephthah’s time as the Judge of God’s people. We see his upbringing, rejection, his actions as Judge, the consequences they bring, and what it all means for us today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riSqZr7U1t8

Today is our special Easter Service and Tom takes us through the narrative of Jesus' resurrection in the book of Matthew. In Matthew 27:62-28:20, two distinct groups emerge—one seeking to stop the news of Jesus's resurrection and the other eager to spread it. The Pharisees, in their attempt to secure the tomb and suppress the truth, reveal their fear of resurrection power. How can we ensure that we align ourselves with spreading His message of hope and redemption? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9_CfGhCbnw

On Sunday, the teacher of Ecclesiastes in Chapter 4:1-16, continued to unpack his observations as he searched for meaning in all he had seen on his mission to discover the answer to the big question in Chapter 1v3. He saw the plight and distress of those who are trodden-on as others ‘climb up the ladder’ in life, and the utter futility of acquiring wealth without someone to share it with. He also saw the futility of leaders who rise to power but are disliked by later generations. It all seemed like darkness, however he found a glimmer of hope. What is our ultimate hope in a world like this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by3DnYBYLZM

Rory continues our series in the book of Judges, preaching from Judges 8:33-9:57. In this passage we see the reign of Abimelek as king over God’s people - we see the horror in the details, the purpose in the big-picture, and what it all means for us today. There is a Q&A with Rory and Pete on the book of Judges, following this sermon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TC5F621SC0

In the next sermon in our series in the book of Ecclesiastes, Pete preaches from Ecclesiastes 3:1-22. In this passage the teacher reflects on the patterns he perceives in the world, as time ticks on. Though he sees patterns, he cannot perceive meaning to it all. How does the gospel speak into the everyday patterns of life we all experience, as well as our eternity? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-TdSGWgiOU

Ben continues our series in Judges, preaching to us from Judges 8:1-35. In this passage we see the remainder of Gideon’s activities as God’s chosen judge; we see his successes and failures, the key events of his life and his death, and what this all means for us today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-wuMZqUj2k