Cornerstone Church – Page 12 – Cornerstone Church of Silicon Valley- CCSV

March 17: “The Golden Rule for Personal Relationships” (Matthew 7:1-12)

Matthew 7 appears to be a series of unrelated paragraphs, but there is a connecting thread: personal relationships. We are not to judge others. Before we condemn others, we are to examine our own sins first. But Jesus is not asking us to suspend all judgments. For church discipline, Christians have to exercise judgment. Jesus’ […]

March 10: “The Priorities of a Kingdom Colony” (Matthew 6:19-34)

The Sermon on the Mount describes what a human community looks like when they come under the gracious rule of God. A kingdom colony does not take cues from the world, but from God, proving that they are God’s children. The priorities of a kingdom community are different from those of this world. God’s children […]

March 3: “For the Audience of One” (Matthew 6:1-18)

Jesus tells his followers not to perform righteous acts to be seen by others. We are to seek the approval of our heavenly Father, not the approval of others. Philosophers like Kant urged people to do good for its own sake, without seeking rewards. But Jesus knows the human heart. Jesus tells us we should […]

February 25: “Church that Completes the Law” (Matthew 5:17-48)

Jesus said that he came to fulfill the law. But how? We see it in his authoritative interpretation of the law. When he says, “But I say to you,” Jesus is not contradicting the law, but going deeper into it to clarify the original intent of the law. The Torah becomes “complete” when it goes […]

February 18: “God’s Blessings for the Church” (Matthew 5:1-16)

When we think of the Sermon on the Mount, we think of seemingly impossible commands, like loving our enemies. But we must remember that Jesus’ sermon begins with blessings for the church. The heavy burden of Jesus’ commands are made lighter by these blessings. In kingdom ethics, commands are always preceded by grace for empowerment. […]