The weekly sermon preaching from Cornerstone Gospel Church, Frankston http://cgc.org.au/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Sermon+Podcast&seed=%2Fsermon&seed_title=Sermon+Homepage en-au © 2012 Cornerstone Gospel Church Preaching Jesus Christ: The Firm Foundation Cornerstone Gospel Church Pastor Lionel Letcher of Cornerstone Gospel Church in Frankson, Victoria, Australia preaches through the Bible, verse by verse. Jesus, Exposition, Preaching, Bible, Christ, Teaching, Sermon, Conservative, Theology, God Cornerstone Gospel Church webmaster@cgc.org.au clean Mark 2:18-22 It often seems we try to push our convictions upon others. Whether it is the amount of time we spend in prayer, or the number of chapters of the Bible we read a day, we have a tendency to think others should do at least what we do ourselves. Our life as a Christian is to be joyous. This will not come out of legalistic practices. We should be doing good works, but they should flow from a desire to please God in response to His salvation. This is the Fruit of the Spirit flowing out in our lives. When challenged on the fasting of His disciples, Jesus’ response was to point out that what He was teaching was incompatible with what the Pharisees were teaching. The Pharisees had distorted and reshaped the original teaching of the Torah and had introduced doctrines of man above those of God. Conversely, in the church today, we are not to try and make the church look like Israel. 54:09 clean http://cgc.org.au/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Sermon+Podcast&seed=%2Fsermon%2Fmark%2Fthe-friends-of-the-bridegroom&seed_title=The+Friends+of+The+Bridegroom Sun, 05 Feb 2012 09:50:06 +0000 Mark 2:18-22 Mark 2:17 is one of the key statements around the Gospel. Until we recognize our own need for a savior, we will not want anything to do with the One who came to save us. As Christians we are called to preach the Gospel to all men, and to those who respond we are to train them as disciples of Christ. Fasting is one of the topics in the Bible that gets abused. The world tells us that there are many benefits for your health to encourage fasting. As a Christian, we need to form our understanding about why we should fast from the Bible and not from the world’s opinion. Our fasting is to be to humble ourselves before God so that He could work in our lives to change and mold us. Our fasting should flow from a natural desire to draw closer to Christ and experience His love more. Too many people fast out of ritual and habit, which can lead to it being a pious ritual. This was the attitude that the Pharisees had in their fasting. They would go around looking ashen faced and disheveled to show to the world that they were fasting. Jesus condemned this attitude by stating that these people had their reward already. When Jesus was challenged over why His disciples were not fasting, His response highlights the reason for fasting. He responds that His disciples cannot fast while they are celebrating. But the time will come when the celebration will turn to mourning. At this time fasting will become not only appropriate, but needed. 49:16 clean http://cgc.org.au/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Sermon+Podcast&seed=%2Fsermon%2Fmark%2Fthe-bridegroom&seed_title=The+Bridegroom Sun, 29 Jan 2012 08:54:04 +0000 Mark 2:13-17 Levi was a Jew, but his occupation was very un-Jewish. The office of tax collector was rated around that of a harlot within the Jewish mindset. It was out of is mindset that the Pharisees criticised Jesus for the company that He kept. Today as a church we often look at the Pharisees and laugh at how they were so critical of Jesus’ companions. However the church itself often acts in the same way by refusing to reach out to the sinners of our day. As a church we must demonstrate the love of Christ to the world. This must be done however in balance with our love for God and for our brethren. What are you doing to look out for your fellow Christians? What do you do if you hear of a brother or sister struggling with health or other issues? Jesus commanded the disciples to love each other, in addition to loving God and the world. As the greatest way to show love to the world is to preach the Gospel to them, the greatest way to show love to the Brethren is to serve them by discipling them in the ways of Christ. The calling of Matthew was not to bring him into some exclusive club. It was for him to join the work of Christ in evangelising and reaching the lost, and then to disciple them to be like Christ. So it is in our lives. We are called to go into the world, preach the Gospel and make disciples (Mt 28:19). There is a cost to this however. We must set aside our fleshly desires to do the will of God. We must invest time to disciple others, and in the process we must open our lives to them as well. We must set aside our pride and humble ourselves, preferring their welfare over ours. 42:00 clean http://cgc.org.au/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Sermon+Podcast&seed=%2Fsermon%2Fmark%2Ffor-what-are-you-saved&seed_title=For+What+Are+You+Saved%3F Sun, 22 Jan 2012 08:41:08 +0000 Mark 2:1–12 Of all the things that we need in life, the most important is for the Word of God to enter our lives and transform our lives. It is the truth of God that sets us free. Nothing else will set us free from the bondage that we are in. Too many Christians misunderstand the nature of the bondage that we are in, and out of this we get movements such as social justice. They are busy trying to fix a problem which is not the core issue. Are you called to ministry? Be aware that, as with Jesus, you will not get much time to rest. Ministry is a full time endeavor. Ministry is a long term commitment. You cannot just walk out to rest when you want. Remember, ministry is a calling not a job. The best thing that any ministry can do is be faithful to the Word of God and present it in its fullness. As we look at the example of the paralytic being lowered into Jesus, we need to understand correctly the point that Mark is making. The men were not trying to demonstrate their faith, but were showing their faith in their actions. This is the point that James makes when he tells us that he shows his faith by his works. Faith precedes works: works cannot produce faith. What did they get for their faith? Not the physical healing he was seeking, but the spiritual healing (the forgiveness of his sins) that he needed. It was only after this that he gave him physical healing to prove that he was able to give the physical healing. 45:42 clean http://cgc.org.au/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Sermon+Podcast&seed=%2Fsermon%2Fmark%2Ffaithful-in-ministry&seed_title=Faithful+in+Ministry Sun, 15 Jan 2012 07:37:44 +0000 Mark 1:35-45 If Jesus found it necessary to rise early to pray, how much more should we need to rise for prayer? In order for us to see through the immediate circumstances we need to be in communion with God. Through spending time in prayer, we become more in tune with the will of the Father. So much of Christianity today is built around coming to get a “touch from God.” Some things haven’t changed. We see that many we seeking Christ as He walked on the earth: not for the words that He spoke but for the touch of healing that He could do. Leprosy is commonly used in the Bible as a type of sin. As the leper was placed under the Levitical law, so are we as sinners placed under the law. The purpose of the law is to show us our need of God’s redemption. As the leper who approached Christ knew he needed cleansing, so we should approach Christ knowing that we need cleansing from our sin. 43:51 clean http://cgc.org.au/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Sermon+Podcast&seed=%2Fsermon%2Fmark%2Fif-you-are-willing&seed_title=If+You+Are+Willing Sun, 08 Jan 2012 07:54:14 +0000 Mark 1:12-28 Mark gives a much briefer description of the events in Jesus’ life, but still manages to give us some insights which are not seen in the longer gospels. For example, in verse 12 Mark records that the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness. The emphasis given by Mark is the compulsion that Jesus felt to begin His ministry. It was necessary for Jesus to go into the wildness to begin to undo what Adam had done. By resisting all temptation in the wilderness, Christ succeeded where Adam had failed, so that we can be made right with Him. Nobody has ever spoken or preached with such authority as Christ. Both Mark and Matthew draw the comparison between the authority that Christ spoke with and the the lack of authority which the Scribes had. The Scribes had authority in the community which came from putting the people under a heavy burden. The authority with which Christ spoke lead to the lightening of our burdens. 45:51 clean http://cgc.org.au/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Sermon+Podcast&seed=%2Fsermon%2Fmark%2Fthe-authority-of-christ&seed_title=The+Authority+of+Christ Sun, 18 Dec 2011 07:51:02 +0000 Mark 1:9-11 Why was Jesus baptised? We can immediately rule out the reason that we get baptised. It was not because Jesus had come to faith in Himself, that is believers baptism. Matthew 3:15 gives us the reason for His baptism: “to fulfil all righteousness.” What did Christ mean however? As Jesus walked the earth, he fulfilled all of the law, and therefore His baptism should be looked at in the fulfilment of the law. In Leviticus 8, Moses washed Aaron and His sons before the people, prior to the commencement of their priesthood. Hebrews 4:14 tells us that Christ is our High Priest, so it fits that He should have been publicly washed prior to commencing His ministry. 29:45 clean http://cgc.org.au/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Sermon+Podcast&seed=%2Fsermon%2Fmark%2Fthe-baptism-of-jesus&seed_title=The+Baptism+of+Jesus Sun, 11 Dec 2011 08:28:30 +0000 Mark 1:1-8 Mark gives an account of Jesus that is different to other accounts providing insights into Jesus character which other Gospels do not provide. These details help to dismiss the incorrect ‘effeminate’ picture which we see in so many historical depictions of Him. It is well regarded that the Gospel of Mark is written by John Mark, who has the infamy of being the cause of the division between Paul and Barnabas in Acts. Paul refused to take Mark on a journey because He had left them while they were in Pamphylia (Acts 15). What we see later is the reconciliation between Paul and Mark, showing us the picture of reconciliation which is the heart of the Gospel call. The main message of Mark is of the servant-hood of Christ. Throughout the record the roles of Mark and Peter is minimized, most likely to raise up Christ and His work. And finally Mark wraps up his Gospel with the exhortation to continue the work of preaching the Gospel throughout the whole world. 49:47 clean http://cgc.org.au/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Sermon+Podcast&seed=%2Fsermon%2Fmark%2Fan-introduction-to-mark&seed_title=An+Introduction+to+Mark Sun, 20 Nov 2011 10:25:10 +0000 Genesis 27:1-23 As parents we must ensure that our affections towards our children are not misguided. Children need the affections of both parents equally. When parents start playing favourites the household will divide. Parents must be impartial and treat all the children equally. If there is partiality, the children will learn to play the parents or may act up to get attention. Our actions and affections with our children will have a life long effect. Major issues are not the first sign of problems. Major issue will have a formation in small issues. Often the root of these are partiality. 38:43 clean http://cgc.org.au/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Sermon+Podcast&seed=%2Fsermon%2Fmy-family-under-christ%2Fbiblical-parenting-in-an-unbiblical-nation-part-two&seed_title=Biblical+Parenting+in+an+Unbiblical+Nation+%28Part+Two%29 Sun, 06 Nov 2011 08:36:38 +0000 Psalm 127 How much confusion is there in he to raise your children when even within the Church there are many different views on how to parent. Throw the modern psychology from the world into the mix and it is understandable why so many parents have little to no clue as to how they should be raising their children in a Biblical fashion. One of the major losses in parenting today is the concept of authority. Only a few years ago, there was no question to the authority and rights of the parents over their children. It seems today that child’s have no respect for authority either within the home or outside. Children today seem to be bent on asserting their rights, contrary to the Biblical mandate. Authority though starts with the parents. If they are not under the correct authority of God then how can we expect our children to respect the authority of e parents? Children will model what they see the parents doing. We see this modeled out through David and his sons. Not only do we see Amnon talking his half sister in an inappropriate manner, we also see Absalom dealing with the problem in the same fashion as David dealt with Uriah. Additionally we see Solomon taking multiple wives as his father had. 65:32 clean http://cgc.org.au/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Sermon+Podcast&seed=%2Fsermon%2Fmy-family-under-christ%2Fbiblical-parenting-in-an-unbiblical-nation-part-one&seed_title=Biblical+Parenting+in+an+Unbiblical+Nation+%28Part+One%29 Sun, 30 Oct 2011 11:19:15 +0000 Proverbs 31 The Book of Proverbs contains a large amount of wisdom about and for women. Interestingly one of the main warnings is around nagging women. The exhortation for a wife not to nag is based around the curse of the woman in Genesis 3. Nagging shows a desk for the woman to lead, to usurp the biblical role of the husband. The Bible sets different roles for men and women. This is not done because one is more valuable thank the other. Proverbs 12:4 tells us that the woman is to be the crown of the man. We see from the start of Proverbs 31 that one role of a woman is to teach her children and provide good council. As with any advice we must ensure that we are living the instruction that we are giving. As the advice from King Lemuel’s mother continues, she passes on the qualities that a wife should have. Throughout the list of qualities, we notice that they are not given to be a response to her husband but are exhortations of how to be regardless soy how he may be acting. 59:27 clean http://cgc.org.au/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Sermon+Podcast&seed=%2Fsermon%2Fmy-family-under-christ%2Fthe-blessed-wife&seed_title=The+Blessed+Wife Sun, 23 Oct 2011 11:35:51 +0000 1 Samuel 25:1-44 We need to be careful about drawing our ideas of how a family is to operate from the media, especially television shows. While we can be entertained by some of the portrayals, we should ensure that we are drawing our view of the world from the scriptures. Psychology likes to shift the blame for people’s actions away from their own responsibility and onto their environmental circumstances. What this fails to do however is explain why people who seem to have had the ‘perfect’ upbringing go off the rails and commit heinous acts. This contrasts the Bible which holds man responsible for all that he does, regardless of how he has been raised. Throughout scripture we see that David had a proclivity to be attracted to beautiful women. Some things haven’t changed today. One such example is that of Abigail, the wife of Nabal. At the end of the detail of their interaction we see that David takes another wife, seemingly at the same time. This shows to us a fundamental issue with many men: that the pursuit of a woman is just to win her, and that once won, no more affection is required. Imagine if the love that Christ had for the church was just to die for us so that we can become yoked to Him. Yet this is the out working of the mentality that David exhibits towards his wives. Christ does not have multiple wives. His love is an ongoing union with us, that He commits to continue to love us and grow us, and never to leave us. 50:33 clean http://cgc.org.au/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Sermon+Podcast&seed=%2Fsermon%2Fmy-family-under-christ%2Fthe-biblical-husband&seed_title=The+Biblical+Husband Sun, 16 Oct 2011 03:14:16 +0000 Genesis 1:26-31 There is an underlying presupposition in this sermon series:the Bible is the authoritative source of understanding as to what our family should be. Therefore it does not matter what the experts say is the current understanding of the best way of parenting. What does matter is what the Bible tells us are the roles within the family and how a family is to operate. There Bible is not a parenting manual in that it does not prescribe exactly what to do in every situation. What it does provide is principles to be followed in order to be a Biblical family. Notice in the creation account that man was the only creation of God that was formed by God, and the only creation decreed to be a living creature. This shows us the special place that man holds in the creation, and proves that man is the pinnacle of God’s creative work. Man is the only creation which was given attributes which are attributed to God. Being fashioned in His likeness, we have been made to reflect attributes of the Creator. For example, man has intelligence (being a reflection of God’s omniscience) whereas animals simply have reactions. Man is a moral being. We have an understanding of what is right and wrong. Animals do not have morals, they just react. All that ails marriages today stems out of sin. This is in both Christian and non-Christian marriages. It is sad that the rate of divorce amongst ‘Christians’ is not much better than for the heathen. In Ephesians 5, Paul lays out the interaction between a husband and his wife. The picture that is given is the relationship between Christ and His Church. It should be a relationship of service, each serving the other. 57:50 clean http://cgc.org.au/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Sermon+Podcast&seed=%2Fsermon%2Fmy-family-under-christ%2Fbiblical-roles&seed_title=Biblical+Roles Sun, 09 Oct 2011 04:14:51 +0000 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 Do you know what your spiritual gift is for the church? You don’t have to know, but if you are not doing anything to try to find out then there is a problem. Paul exhorts us to desire spiritual gifts, for our gifts are given primarily so that we can bless the body of Christ. Within the body of Christ there should be a giving of our hearts to one another. This union in relationship is important because we cannot grow effectively on our own. No man is an island. Our growth will come from the conflicts and violations of relationship that will occur as we live our lives in proximity to one another. Iron will sharpen Iron. Sharpening requires that the rough edges are smoothed off. How can our rough edges be tempered if we are not in contact with other rough edges? What is the extent of your fellowship with other believers? Do you just get together on a Sunday at church? Do you spend days or evenings with other believers? God’s solutions to the problems that we are in come from those in the body. The trials that we go through are often used later to encourage others in the same situations. 48:12 clean http://cgc.org.au/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Sermon+Podcast&seed=%2Fsermon%2Ftopical%2Fdesiring-spiritual-gifts&seed_title=Desiring+Spiritual+Gifts Mon, 03 Oct 2011 08:56:07 +0000 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 One of the hallmarks of the Pentecostal church is an emphasis on a baptism in the Spirit separate from salvation. There is no place in scripture where the believer is exhorted to seek a baptism in the Holy Spirit. In Ephesians Paul does exhort us to be filled with the Spirit. His exhortation is about what is in control of our lives, and not about being topped up with the Spirit. A body is constructed of many different parts. A body cannot exist without differences between the parts. A body requires the differences to be able to function correctly. And so it is in the Body of Christ. We are not our own, but are part of the body for one another. We cannot function on our own, but need the other parts of the body in order to function as the Body of Christ. Christianity is not a solitary existence, but an existence of interdependence one to another, and full dependance upon Christ and His atoning work. Every member has their part to play. Every member is important. There should be no one in the local assembly who is not functioning in the body. The biggest challenge for some people is understanding the calling the God has for them in the local assembly. Not every member is in a glamourous position. Like the human body has the eye, the ear and the mouth, so it also has the liver, appendix and colon. Every part plays a vital role, regardless of the perceived glamour of the role. Paul tells us that God esteems higher those who are fulfilling the roles which are not glamourous. The parallels between the human body and the body of Christ run deeper. As within our bodies, when one thing is wrong it can effect the rest of the body. Conversely when something is running well, that is reflected throughout the whole body. This is how it is in the body of Christ. When something is not right, if there is division between members of the body, then the whole body is suffering. 51:22 clean http://cgc.org.au/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=Sermon+Podcast&seed=%2Fsermon%2Ftopical%2Fthe-eye-cannot-say&seed_title=The+Eye+Cannot+Say Sun, 25 Sep 2011 09:26:14 +0000