Cornerstone EV Free Church

No More Sermons - (for awhile)

2008-02-11T08:39:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! Thanks for your interest in the blog, it is great to see a growing number of people downloading sermons here. Unfortunately there are some software and hardware issues that need to be resolved on my end before I can post anymore sermons. If you want to know how you can help feel free to ask.

You can call me on my cell at 262_9460, or email me at justinh@ rockymtnfire .com ( I added the spaces to fool spammers from stealing this email address, don't include them or it will not go through)

The Eternal Fountain

2008-02-05T12:23:00.000-08:00

(click here to listen)

(Sorry everyone if the title of this sermon is not correct. Let me know what the correct one is if you happen to know.)

Update On Some Stuff

2008-01-31T08:08:00.000-08:00

Sorry the sermon for last week isn't up yet, the disk from the second service was corrupted and not usable. I'll try and get it online ASAP.

True Freedom?

2008-01-30T06:10:00.000-08:00

Know What You Know

2008-01-27T14:58:00.000-08:00

(click here to listen)

Bread-The Staff of Eternal Life

2008-01-23T18:39:00.000-08:00

(click here to listen)

Jesus In 3-D

2008-01-22T17:46:00.001-08:00

(click here to listen)

Storms

2008-01-22T11:23:00.000-08:00

Casting Crowns song Praise you in this storm. " As the thunder rolls I barely hear Your whisper through the rain "I'm with you" And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives And takes away And I'll praise You in this storm And I will lift my hands For You are who You are No matter where I am And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand You never left my side And though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm"The year 2008 quickly hit a stormy season as we all faced the loss of two little girls. This was a major storm in the life of the family and in the life of our church yet they stood tall and focused on Jesus Christ. They showed hope and peace in the midst of the worst of circumstances. Their example and the examples of others brought these two verses to light in my mind.Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of we do not see.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.These verses have come to life this past year as I have seen people come to Christ for the first time, seen Christians face the loss of a child, and seen many others face trials everyday in their lives whether big or small. So what is it that enables them to continue in their faith? To even exhibit joy? The answer is to look at the last line of Galatians 2:20 “gave himself for me.” By focusing on the Gospel and the cross of Jesus Christ we are reminded of our faith which inevitably leads us to our hope. Sounds much like Romans 5:3- Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

CJ Mahaney, a pastor, puts it this way, “The inevitable result of preaching the Gospel to your self will be a pronounced joy, an infections joy, a consistent joy. Like nothing else the gospel creates joy; it’s the source and the object of our joy.
We have sure and certain promises in the Bible yet there is so much that we will not see. I am challenged to rely more on the promises of God's words than the temporal situations of this life which are constantly changing. My focus is on what Christ has done for me eternally when He was crucified and not on what I want Christ to do for me now.
Try this focus out this week as you pray. It has challenged me in the midst of these storms. “though my heart is torn, I will praise you in this storm.”

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Q8wmHiXpClk

Who is Jesus Christ?

2008-01-09T10:39:00.000-08:00

This question is posed to anyone who would like to answer. Believer, agnostic, casual observer.....anyone.
WHo is Jesus Christ?
For believers add what does this mean to you and how do you relate to Him.

Less Than or Equal To

2008-01-06T14:03:00.000-08:00

John 5:19-47
(click here to listen)

The Cured And The Cursed

2008-01-06T14:02:00.000-08:00

(click here to listen)

Wise Men Still Seek Him

2008-01-06T14:01:00.000-08:00

(click here to listen)

Falling In Love With Christmas

2007-12-22T10:43:00.000-08:00

(click here to listen)

Refreshing

2007-12-19T12:23:00.000-08:00

This past summer at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit thier leader Bill Hybels gave what many consider as a stunning admission. He admitted that his model of church is not growing mature Christians who can self feed. Read this article www.breakpoint.org/listingarticle.asp?ID=1435 and check out the website http://revealnow.com/index.asp for more.

Although I still have doctrinal issues with Willow Creek I found it refreshing to see that Bill Hybels was willing to admit areas they are weak in and thier intent to improve. All churches have weaknesses and all models of church are stronger in some areas and weaker in others. So are you willing to be honest in order to further the kingdom of God?

Perhaps we all should take stock as Christmas and New Year's approach and make sure that we are living our lives for Christ in all areas. What are your weaknesses? How will you address those in 2008?

Merry Christmas to all......

Uh oh....

2007-12-10T07:16:00.000-08:00

There was a technical difficulty that prevented the recording of the most recent Sunday sermon, December 9, 2007.

We are going through the archives in an effort to find one of the older sermons you may not remember hearing, when we find one we'll post it here and you can thus get your weekly fix.

In the meantime you can go here for a bit of easy listening enjoyment.

O.K. Here is one you may not have heard, or if you did it will probably not hurt you to hear it again.
(click here to listen)

Miracles Happen

2007-12-03T22:36:00.000-08:00

(click here to listen)
John 4:43-54

International Harvester

2007-11-27T18:58:00.001-08:00

(click here to listen)

Blessings Blog

2007-11-27T09:44:00.000-08:00

I would love to see some posts this month from anyone sharing thier experiences in 2007.
Here are some prompting questions.....
1. How did you grow spiritually in 2007?
2. WHat blessings has God given you this past year?
3. How have you seen God reach the lost this year?
4. How has your T-Group challenged your growth.

In Pastor Jack's latest Sermon the International Harvester he challenged us to pray for 5 weeks for 5 mintues a day for 5 people. We were called to pray a BLESSing on them.
B- PRay for thier body and health
L- Labor or work
E-Emotional health, for joy in thier life.
S-ocial for good relationships within family and friends
S-Spiritual for salvation and growth

Share any fruit that comes from this exercise. Please keep names anonymous of course:)

Every Day Thanksgiving Day

2007-11-21T07:15:00.000-08:00

(click here to listen)

T-Giving

2007-11-15T09:15:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all. We are headed out to be at my wife's grandmother's funeral. Keep our family and travels in your prayers. Take time to be thankful throughout this next month as you think of what God has done for you in your life and for eternity.

The Thirst-Quencher

2007-11-12T19:00:00.000-08:00

(click here to listen)

The Star Of The Show

2007-11-08T11:34:00.000-08:00

(click here to listen)

Church Shopping 101

2007-11-08T07:32:00.000-08:00

Read over John 3:22-36.

If you are a person that lives in a town with more than one option for a solid Bible teaching church then you have been exposed to church shopping. This is the phenomenon in the United States where believers get to go out and try on churches to find the best fit, most stylish, or just to keep up with the latest trends in church going. You may sometimes hear of a church that is growing and wonder what they are doing right. A closer look often shows that the growth is simply a transferring of Christians and not outreach based. Often this church shopping takes on the form of finding a pastor one connects with who preaches at his or her level. When your pastor leaves you shop again to find another pastor to latch on to. Some of you may be saying what is the problem here? I am just trying to find a church that meets my needs!

John the Baptist was facing a little bit of church shopping in John 3 as his disciples began to debate which leader essentially was best. John set the record straight by clarifying who he was not. He was not the Christ, Jesus is the Christ. John's job was simply to point people toward Christ yet these disciples still were following John. The job of the church and of the pastor today is to point people toward Christ yet Christians are caught up in following a Pastor or focusing on their own needs. Sometimes Pastors begin to think they deserve the big crowds because of their skills, we all have seen what happens next as they fall from Grace. Christ is to be the center of all ministry and all the results must be credited to Him alone.

Take a look at I Corinthians 1 as Paul scolds the church for following men over and above Christ.

Are you beginning to see the sickness in church shopping, in our "me" centered world? The believer is to commit to the body of Christ and that occurs best in a church setting because that is the vehicle God has chosen for us to share our gifts in ministry to one another and to reach the lost. Yes, yes there are times when truth is being compromised and one must leave a church to cling to truth, but those are few and far between. There is a proper time and a proper way to change churches, but I am focusing on the general public who are trending toward shopping.

I am currently in a small town where this is less of an issue but I came from a home of some mega giants in teaching and preaching. Home of church hoppers and shoppers yet it is still a targeted area for church plants because believers are not committing their gifts to one body therefore Christianity is cultural and ineffective.
So the next time you think of shopping for a church or hear a friend who is doing so remember John the Baptists and Paul and make sure you are keeping Christ first and connecting to use your gifts.

Which Way The Wind Blows

2007-11-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

(click here to listen)

Born Twice

2007-10-25T20:31:00.000-07:00

(click here to listen)

What did Jesus mean about the Spirit of God being like the wind? Pastor Jack talks about this and what it means to be born again.

Windy city to windy state!

2007-10-19T11:05:00.001-07:00

Today I met with a 32 year old man with a wife and 4 kids. He is currently pastoring by Chicago and was actually in line to replace a longstanding pastor at his current church. This church is healthy stable and having solid ministry yet God gave this pastor a sense of unrest. Through several God-Sized situations, conversations, and open doors this pastor is heading to Gillette Wyoming to plant a church.

For the typical person reading this allow me to fill in the blanks here. This means leaving a stable salary, home life, and ministry to step out into the unknown. This means raising money ugh! This means no church building, people, nothing. Starting from Scratch. Starting a new ministry. I got to thinking on my drive back across the vast WYoming prarie with wind whipping my car and my praise music on high. I thought that there is no way any man can do this task successfully. In fact I would dare say planting a church from a urban and suburban area to a rural booming mining town is border line insane in human terms. Then it hit me.
"GOD IS AT HIS BEST WHEN WE COME TO THE END OF OURSELF."

When I come to the point that "I" am no longer able to do things on my own and the "only" way ministry or life will happen is through God then I am truly trusting in Jesus Christ.

How many times have you come to the end of yourself and had to rely on God for the impossible. This could apply to your marriage, parenting a strong willed child, seeking employment, or dealing with relationships.

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Ah now I am begining to see what this verse truly means. Keep this man in your prayers and be willing to allow God to make you step out of your comfort zone so that HE can make a impact on the world!

An Inconvenient Truth

2007-10-17T18:26:00.000-07:00

(click here to listen)

Whether it's the debate about abortion, evolution, or any other big issue there is a wrong way and a right way to engage others. This sermon was preceded by a clip from a well-known movie where a frustrated motorist rams her car into someone else's car in a fit of road rage.

For The Glory

2007-10-13T16:27:00.000-07:00

(click here to listen)

Pastor Jack explains the miracle of Jesus turning water to wine in John, Chapter 2.

Wyoming Crescent

2007-10-09T11:10:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday I was out on my inaugural hunt. Not a wild excursion into the forest but none the less hunting for antelope on the Wyoming plane. After a long morning and lunch a stray buck finally emerged chasing down a female and goading her to show his authority. He was about 300 or so yards away when I settled in to take my first ever shot at a game animal. The wind and rain were just beginning so I removed my sunglasses. In the heat of the moment I leaned into the scope on the 323 wind mag and pulled the trigger. The shot rang out as I called out to my partner "It's bleeding, where is it bleeding" He replied there is no blood you missed low." Turning to see me he flew toward me with a rag. In my excitement I had leaned in so close that the recoil of the telescope nailed my forehead. To make a long story short 4 stitches and a (hopefully) minor head injury later I had a Wyoming Crescent.

The Wyoming Crescent I would soon learn happens to many hunters to varying degrees throughout their lives. Some solace for a novice trying to find his way in Wyoming life. This mark was one of a hunter or attempted one anyway. I began to think that in many ways the Gospel of John helps one to identify the marks of a true disciple of Christ. So many people were attracted to Jesus and his miracles yet he knew their hearts were not committed to him. John 3:16 tells of a key mark for a disciple of Christ. The key word "believe" this is not the same as our word believe in American culture. This word indicates complete confidence and trust. This word indicates actions tied to ones thoughts and words and beliefs.

If Jesus were around today he would have no problem identifying who is in church because they believe in Him and who is just there to socialize, cover their bases, or follow a man in a pulpit.

I ask you do you have the marks of a true believer?

If a blogger posts........

2007-10-04T11:52:00.000-07:00

Does anyone recall the statement "IF a tree were to fall in the forest and no one was there to hear it would it make any noise?" I ask this if a blogger post and only one person responds is there anyone one else reading it?

Oh well, here I go anyway....
Our most recent sermon deals with Witnessing for Ordinary People. Witnessing in a worldly sense means testifying to what one believes is true, sharing one's own experience, verifying the facts in a legal sense, and even giving ones personal views. In the religious world it is focused on bringing other people into one's system of beliefs. In the Bible it is sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, his life, death and resurrection. Sharing the opportunity for eternity in heaven not by works but by Grace.

The motivation for most other religions to witness is to gain entrance into favor with God, or to somehow earn one's way into a better destiny. To me this works the same as the advertisement that has the witness of a millionaire who made her money sitting at home! You too can make your money sitting at home. You mail in the slip sign up and then soon realize despite your best efforts you will never make a million dollars unless you convince others that they too can make a million dollars. It is a never ending circle in which no one really ever gets to that ultimate destination. It is a futile chasing after the wind.

The motivation for the follower of Jesus Christ if taken from the teaching of the Bible should be one of selfless love. No believer should be motivated by numbers because our salvation does not rest on how many people we convince or sign up. The question thus becomes why aren't more believers sharing their beliefs with other lost people?

If Jesus Christ controls the results then we are guaranteed positive responses; therefore we should gladly participate in this joyous activity--yet many dread it!

Where do you stand on witnessing?

Witnessing For Ordinary People

2007-10-01T20:15:00.000-07:00

(click here to listen)

Anyone can be an effective witness for Christ.

The Power of 1

2007-09-25T10:40:00.000-07:00

The first chapter of the book of John is one of the most amazing literary works in the Bible. Yes, I know that chapters are not how the book was written, but the beginning of the book remains the same. If one were to think from the point of view of the first century audience this Gospel develops even greater depth.

John begins with the Word which connects Jesus with the OT and with eternity. John also cuts to the chase in verses 11-12 as he lays out the purpose of Jesus' life and mission. John the baptist confirms the testimony of who Jesus is and what his role will ultimately be as a sacrifice for sins. Then John concludes with the beginning of response to this message as the disciples are called. Throughout these verses connection can be made with many OT passages and 1 st Century thoughts so that there is no mistaking that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God.

I am blown away by the progression from the Old Testament, the Law, the tabernacle, and relationship of God with Israel to Jesus Christ living amongst us. Not only did he set aside his deity he came to suffer and die so that we may live.

As one goes forward in John it should be noted that Jesus refers to a time greater than this. A time greater than His being present on the earth. That time is the age we live in now. I often had thought that living with Jesus in his time would be the best but through his plan he prepared the way for "greater things"

Just some food for thought.

The Witness To The Word

2007-09-23T18:17:00.000-07:00

(click here to listen)

Learn about John the baptizer and what he said about Jesus Christ.

Word of God Speak

2007-09-18T07:01:00.000-07:00

(click here to listen)

Note: This sermon has extreme technical recording problems, so not all of is available for listening.

Validity of Scripture

2007-09-11T14:29:00.000-07:00

WHy is the Bible true? How do we know it is God's Word? How did its truthfulness survey time and translation? Does it matter if John wrote the Gospel of John?

These are all valid quesitons which beg for discussion. It is true that no one is ever argued into a relationship with Jesus Christ, but God has given plenty of verifiable evidence that the Bible is a truthful and reliable book. Here are 3 simple responses to what is know in the scholarly world as source criticism. Please read and interact with them. I will post my views later in the week.

1. THE BIBLE IS A GOOD BOOK WITH SOME FACTS MIXED WITH SOME STORY TELLING. THE OVERALL IDEAS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAT THE CORRECTNESS OF FACTS, PEOPLE, STORIES, OR TRANSLATIONS.

2. THE BIBLE IS SIMPLY A STORY BOOK.

3. THE BIBLE IS GOD'S WORD AND IS WITH OUT ERROR IN ITS ORIGINAL LANGUAGE. THE STORIES ARE FACTUAL, HISTORICAL, AND RELIABLE TRUTHS.

A popular Christian magazine had a article a few years ago which showed that many "evangelicals" in the U.S. hold to view #1 are they right? If so why. If not why.

Here is a recent Gallup poll that you may find interesting. (courtesy of the webmaster)

The Gospel of John, Introduction

2007-09-09T14:48:00.000-07:00

Who Do You Say I Am? (click here)
In this introduction to the Gospel of John, Pastor Jack gives a great outline to the book and it's topics. We find out a few interesting things about the apostle John, as well as a historic view of the time in which his gospel was written.

Gospel of John Posts Coming

2007-08-23T08:48:00.001-07:00

Welcome to our bLog. On September 7th we will begin a weekly post based on the sermon downloads from the Gospel of John. Post will have thought provoking questions and topics from the book and from contemporary issues. Some post will be on controversial topics. Feel free to jump in by getting a google ID set up. Stay tuned for more!