Cornerstone Church Kingston Podcast

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.

As we continue our series in Matthew’s gospel, Rory preaches from Matthew 12:38-45. In this passage we see the Pharisees asking Jesus for a sign, but Jesus replies that only one sign will be given to them: the sign of Jonah. As Rory unpacks this passage, we see what Jesus means by the sign of Jonah, what it means for the generation he was in at the time, and what it means for us today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbclZnqYRMg

The Christian life is full of ups and downs - rarely in that order. Pete explains in Ezekiel 24 how the prophet became a symbol to the people: a living embodiment of their depravity, deprivation and duplicity. As their hope boils dry, and as despair sets in, the exiles receive a word that changes everything: "until".

As we continue in our series in Matthew’s gospel, Pete preaches from Matthew 12:22-37. In this passage we see Jesus healing a demon-possessed man, the Pharisees’ claim that he uses Satan’s power to drive out demons, and we see Jesus’ response. What is the ‘unforgivable sin’? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZNFvQFQaN0

"The parents eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge." What did the exiles in Babylon mean by this proverb? Through Ezekiel 18, Tom unpacks the terrible error the exiles had made and the corrective response God provided. The sins of the father need not be the sins of the son, so turn and live!

Tom continues our series in Matthew’s Gospel, preaching from Matthew 12:14-21. In this passage we see Jesus’ response to the Pharisee’s plot to kill him - and in doing so, his fulfilling the prophecy spoken through Isaiah. We see his character as God’s chosen servant, his love for the lost and broken, and what it all means for us today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_NEdKPdtEg

Today, Tom guides us through the compelling imagery at the heart of Ezekiel 17. What could have possessed the people of Israel to turn their backs on the God who nurtured them? What was the vision behind that decision? And yet - don't we make the same mistake ourselves?

As we continue our series in Matthew’s gospel, John preaches from Matthew 12:1-14. In this passage, we see Jesus’ encounters with the Pharisees on the Sabbath day - first in a corn field pick corn to eat, and then at the synagogue where Jesus heals a man’s shrivelled hand. We see the Pharisee’s challenge Jesus and his disciples’ rule-keeping of the Sabbath, Jesus’ amazing replies to expose their self-righteousness, and what it all means for us today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_K6vqY-UqI

In the dark yet profound imagery of Ezekiel 16, God's people are portrayed as an adulterous wife, always running after the lusts of her heart. Pete takes us through every terrible aspect of this graphic image, where we see not only the depth of Man's betrayal, but also the depth of God's love that rises to meet it.