Pastoral Blog Posts https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au Tue, 19 Mar 2024 13:00:38 +1100 http://churchplantmedia.com/ Homebush Bay Sermon Series - Isaiah https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/homebush-bay-sermon-series---isaiah https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/homebush-bay-sermon-series---isaiah#comments Wed, 20 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +1100 https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/homebush-bay-sermon-series---isaiah WhatsApp Image 2021-01-20 at 10.51.24 AM

The Book of Isaiah seems as daunting as it is grand! That's
because Isaiah's ministry as a prophet spans across the reigns
of four Kings of Judah - from around 740 B.C to 681 B.C.
But its message is even grander. Isaiah's vision spans from
creation to new creation. It centres on the city of God's
people, Zion, during years of unrest from the threat of the
mighty Assyrians approaching from the north to its besieging
of Jerusalem. It details the sin, idolatry, and injustice which
has cut Israel from God and led the nation to this despair.
But all not lost, for the holy God also saves. He does so by
redeeming a remnant of people from Israel and the nations.
He will achieve this redemption by the work of a mysterious
yet wonderful figure called the 'Suffering Servant', ushering in
an reign of peace in a renewed creation. What begins as a
story of sinful, ruined Zion becomes a glorious vision of a New
Jerusalem including people of every race - a grand vision
indeed!
Because of its sweeping scope and many themes, Isaiah is
often known as the prince of Prophets and the 'Romans' of
the Old Testament. Every major doctrine is found in Isaiah
and fulfilled by Jesus and developed in the New Testament:
sin, judgement, grace, the church, renewal of all things, even
ministry, and mission! The book of Isaiah also reads like a
patchwork of different kinds of writing: sometimes Isaiah
speaks like an ambassador from God, sometimes he's spoken
about in the third person (probably by a disciple). There are
sections of poetry and sections of preaching. Ultimately it's
the one word from the one true God. He is the sovereign
author of history. He restores and transforms His people to
glory, according to His unfailing love, against all worldly
threats and fears. It truly is a wondrous message for us.
This is a reading guide to help you make sense of the entire
book. It's designed to be used for individuals or families and
to work through the text of Isaiah for themselves.
There's a Daily Reading plan included here, which will take
you through a section of Isaiah each day . Try to set a few
minutes to read and take notes on a journal. Don't worry
about not being able to understand everything. But try to
draw out one main idea from the text and how it might apply
to your life. Use the overview diagrams below to track where
you're at in the book, as well as get a sense of the historical
context.
Each week till we end on Easter Sunday, I will preach through
one significant passage which will move us along the book.
By familiarizing yourself with Isaiah through the Reading
plan the sermons on Sunday will hopefully make more sense.
Our world has grown more uncertain than ever and on many
fronts: politically, culturally, and biologically to name a few.
The fears Israel faced resonate with us deeply. Yet the word of
God is timeless: confronting us of our fears and failures, and
comforting us in its saving hope. I look forward to journeying
with you in this magnificent part of the Scriptures, and to
marvel at the riches of Christ all the more beautifully.

Your servant in love,
Dan

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WhatsApp Image 2021-01-20 at 10.51.24 AM

The Book of Isaiah seems as daunting as it is grand! That's
because Isaiah's ministry as a prophet spans across the reigns
of four Kings of Judah - from around 740 B.C to 681 B.C.
But its message is even grander. Isaiah's vision spans from
creation to new creation. It centres on the city of God's
people, Zion, during years of unrest from the threat of the
mighty Assyrians approaching from the north to its besieging
of Jerusalem. It details the sin, idolatry, and injustice which
has cut Israel from God and led the nation to this despair.
But all not lost, for the holy God also saves. He does so by
redeeming a remnant of people from Israel and the nations.
He will achieve this redemption by the work of a mysterious
yet wonderful figure called the 'Suffering Servant', ushering in
an reign of peace in a renewed creation. What begins as a
story of sinful, ruined Zion becomes a glorious vision of a New
Jerusalem including people of every race - a grand vision
indeed!
Because of its sweeping scope and many themes, Isaiah is
often known as the prince of Prophets and the 'Romans' of
the Old Testament. Every major doctrine is found in Isaiah
and fulfilled by Jesus and developed in the New Testament:
sin, judgement, grace, the church, renewal of all things, even
ministry, and mission! The book of Isaiah also reads like a
patchwork of different kinds of writing: sometimes Isaiah
speaks like an ambassador from God, sometimes he's spoken
about in the third person (probably by a disciple). There are
sections of poetry and sections of preaching. Ultimately it's
the one word from the one true God. He is the sovereign
author of history. He restores and transforms His people to
glory, according to His unfailing love, against all worldly
threats and fears. It truly is a wondrous message for us.
This is a reading guide to help you make sense of the entire
book. It's designed to be used for individuals or families and
to work through the text of Isaiah for themselves.
There's a Daily Reading plan included here, which will take
you through a section of Isaiah each day . Try to set a few
minutes to read and take notes on a journal. Don't worry
about not being able to understand everything. But try to
draw out one main idea from the text and how it might apply
to your life. Use the overview diagrams below to track where
you're at in the book, as well as get a sense of the historical
context.
Each week till we end on Easter Sunday, I will preach through
one significant passage which will move us along the book.
By familiarizing yourself with Isaiah through the Reading
plan the sermons on Sunday will hopefully make more sense.
Our world has grown more uncertain than ever and on many
fronts: politically, culturally, and biologically to name a few.
The fears Israel faced resonate with us deeply. Yet the word of
God is timeless: confronting us of our fears and failures, and
comforting us in its saving hope. I look forward to journeying
with you in this magnificent part of the Scriptures, and to
marvel at the riches of Christ all the more beautifully.

Your servant in love,
Dan

]]>
Rhodes Sermon Series - Confronting Christianity https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/rhodes-sermon-series---confronting-christianity https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/rhodes-sermon-series---confronting-christianity#comments Thu, 29 Oct 2020 10:00:00 +1100 https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/rhodes-sermon-series---confronting-christianity Rhodes Confronting Christianity

Christianity claims there is an objective truth about life and God, but can that statement be defended?

Over the next four weeks we will challenge that statement by asking the following questions: 

  1. What is Christianity and what are the arguments against it?
  2. Doesn’t Christianity crush diversity?
  3. How can you trust the church and its leadership in light of its profound moral failure?
  4. Can you really trust what the bible says?

This series aims to help all of us wrestle with some of the confronting questions that come up when we consider humanity’s existential crisis in the context of Christianity. 

For some of us who are searching for meaning and purpose and the possibility of God, this series is designed for you. 

For those that are Christian - this is an opportunity to think about your faith. It should be unsettling; challenging even. But, you should come out having a firm understanding of what you believe and why you believe it. 

Join us in-person at Rhodes or online each Sunday at 9AM from the 1st Nov - 22nd Nov as we delve in to these questions! 

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Rhodes Confronting Christianity

Christianity claims there is an objective truth about life and God, but can that statement be defended?

Over the next four weeks we will challenge that statement by asking the following questions: 

  1. What is Christianity and what are the arguments against it?
  2. Doesn’t Christianity crush diversity?
  3. How can you trust the church and its leadership in light of its profound moral failure?
  4. Can you really trust what the bible says?

This series aims to help all of us wrestle with some of the confronting questions that come up when we consider humanity’s existential crisis in the context of Christianity. 

For some of us who are searching for meaning and purpose and the possibility of God, this series is designed for you. 

For those that are Christian - this is an opportunity to think about your faith. It should be unsettling; challenging even. But, you should come out having a firm understanding of what you believe and why you believe it. 

Join us in-person at Rhodes or online each Sunday at 9AM from the 1st Nov - 22nd Nov as we delve in to these questions! 

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Eastwood Sermon Series - Hebrews https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/eastwood-sermon-series---hebrews https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/eastwood-sermon-series---hebrews#comments Fri, 14 Aug 2020 10:00:00 +1000 https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/eastwood-sermon-series---hebrews Hebrews E and W

Christ is God’s final revelation: he is superior, he is sufficient, he is the only one able to bring you to a perfect relationship with God. There is in Christ a final destination worth hanging on to and waiting for. These great themes of Hebrews do not sit comfortably in today’s pluralistic worldview. And like the first readers, Christians today are under immense pressure from a hostile culture to give up on the gospel, to drift away through worldly carelessness or to be deceived by sin and fall away. This series will explore these major themes and apply them to our situation today.

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Hebrews E and W

Christ is God’s final revelation: he is superior, he is sufficient, he is the only one able to bring you to a perfect relationship with God. There is in Christ a final destination worth hanging on to and waiting for. These great themes of Hebrews do not sit comfortably in today’s pluralistic worldview. And like the first readers, Christians today are under immense pressure from a hostile culture to give up on the gospel, to drift away through worldly carelessness or to be deceived by sin and fall away. This series will explore these major themes and apply them to our situation today.

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Strathfield Sermon Series - Joseph https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/strathfield-sermon-series---joseph https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/strathfield-sermon-series---joseph#comments Fri, 14 Aug 2020 09:00:00 +1000 https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/strathfield-sermon-series---joseph Joseph Strathfield

The life and time of Joseph is one of the most memorable sections of not only Genesis, but the entire Bible. Come with us on a journey exploring God’s faithfulness in the midst of tremendous trial.

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Joseph Strathfield

The life and time of Joseph is one of the most memorable sections of not only Genesis, but the entire Bible. Come with us on a journey exploring God’s faithfulness in the midst of tremendous trial.

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Rhodes Sermon Series - Galatians https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/rhodes-sermon-series https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/rhodes-sermon-series#comments Wed, 05 Aug 2020 14:00:00 +1000 https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/rhodes-sermon-series Galations rhodes

Do you feel pessimistic about the the nature of the world and even our own inability to do what is right? Well, there is good reason to feel pessimistic. God says that our human nature is enslaved to sin - that is not trusting God and his way and making it up as we go. As a result, the world in which we live is perverse and unhappy. What is worse, God says a day of his justice is coming. This is only one solution to our unhappiness, our perversion and our guilt before God. The only answer is the gospel of the LORD Jesus Christ. In this letter Paul sets out what is perhaps the most passionate defense of the gospel found in all the New Testament.

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Galations rhodes

Do you feel pessimistic about the the nature of the world and even our own inability to do what is right? Well, there is good reason to feel pessimistic. God says that our human nature is enslaved to sin - that is not trusting God and his way and making it up as we go. As a result, the world in which we live is perverse and unhappy. What is worse, God says a day of his justice is coming. This is only one solution to our unhappiness, our perversion and our guilt before God. The only answer is the gospel of the LORD Jesus Christ. In this letter Paul sets out what is perhaps the most passionate defense of the gospel found in all the New Testament.

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Rhodes Sermon Series - Jonah https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/rhodes-sermon-series---jonah https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/rhodes-sermon-series---jonah#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2020 12:00:00 +1000 https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/rhodes-sermon-series---jonah jonah Rhodes

Does life take you where you don’t want to go? Does God push your buttons in ways that you just want to say “just let me be”; or is the pressure of following Jesus just getting a bit much! Well, join the Jonah club. Of all the Old Testament prophets, Jonah is the most reluctant, macabre and bitter of the servants of God. As New Testament prophets (Acts 2.1-21), the church feels the pressure to fulfil our commission to preach the gospel. We too are tempted to become reluctant, bitter and even macabre about our calling. But because Jesus reigns at the Fathers side, we can expect God to to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or imagine!

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jonah Rhodes

Does life take you where you don’t want to go? Does God push your buttons in ways that you just want to say “just let me be”; or is the pressure of following Jesus just getting a bit much! Well, join the Jonah club. Of all the Old Testament prophets, Jonah is the most reluctant, macabre and bitter of the servants of God. As New Testament prophets (Acts 2.1-21), the church feels the pressure to fulfil our commission to preach the gospel. We too are tempted to become reluctant, bitter and even macabre about our calling. But because Jesus reigns at the Fathers side, we can expect God to to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or imagine!

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Willoughby Prayer Letter Dec 2019 https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/willoughby-prayer-n https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/willoughby-prayer-n#comments Wed, 05 Feb 2020 14:00:00 +1100 https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/willoughby-prayer-n Banner
And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. - Luke 14:23 December, 2019

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Welcome to the prayer letter for our new church plant, Cornerstone Willoughby. Our Pastor CS Tang has said that within our denomination many churches are closing down, however God has opened these doors to us and has graciously given us this church building in Willoughby. Our core members consist of people from current Cornerstone congregations, with the majority from Cornerstone Eastwood. Our first meeting took place in October this year and praise God, there has been significant progress since. Our launch date is currently set for March 2020, and there is much preparation work to be done till then!

Church building and renovations: The site itself requires renovations and maintenance and praise God for the gifted people who have contributed in this area. There is now a nicely developed floor plan for the church which will take place over the next year in various stages. Painting has already commenced in parts of the site!

Ministries: We have formed several teams for ministry areas including music, welcoming and children’s ministries and we have started dividing up the roles between us.

Future meetings and bible studies: We will take a break over the Christmas period and will meet again in early February with a working bee & social kick off! This will be followed by weekly meetings in the form of bible studies prior to an official launch of church services. 

Prayer Points: As always, we remember to rely on God to help us grow. Please partner in prayer with us.

· THANK God for providing us land, buildings and property to plant a church

· THANK God for the core team of people He has called to start the new plant and the different spiritual gifts he has granted us

· PRAY for the local churches in Willoughby, that they would preach the gospel and live it out faithfully

· PRAY for more gospel workers to join the Willoughby Church Plant

· PRAY for all involved in property and building planning, that God would give the wisdom to figure out the best way forward

Other things you can do to help!

· Talk to your friends about our church plant!

Like us on Facebook “Cornerstone Willoughby” and invite your friends to like it too, especially those that might be looking for a church around the area. 

team

At one of the meetings. What a great team! Please contact us if you are interested in joining us. There is always room for more.

piano

Have we found a pianist?

 

In the weeks ahead:

· We will re-group after the holiday period on 8th of February with a working bee & social gathering, everyone is welcome to come, further details soon. 

· There will be further prayer letters throughout January, please subscribe and pray with us.

 

In Christ,

The team at Cornerstone Willoughby.

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Banner
And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. - Luke 14:23 December, 2019

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Welcome to the prayer letter for our new church plant, Cornerstone Willoughby. Our Pastor CS Tang has said that within our denomination many churches are closing down, however God has opened these doors to us and has graciously given us this church building in Willoughby. Our core members consist of people from current Cornerstone congregations, with the majority from Cornerstone Eastwood. Our first meeting took place in October this year and praise God, there has been significant progress since. Our launch date is currently set for March 2020, and there is much preparation work to be done till then!

Church building and renovations: The site itself requires renovations and maintenance and praise God for the gifted people who have contributed in this area. There is now a nicely developed floor plan for the church which will take place over the next year in various stages. Painting has already commenced in parts of the site!

Ministries: We have formed several teams for ministry areas including music, welcoming and children’s ministries and we have started dividing up the roles between us.

Future meetings and bible studies: We will take a break over the Christmas period and will meet again in early February with a working bee & social kick off! This will be followed by weekly meetings in the form of bible studies prior to an official launch of church services. 

Prayer Points: As always, we remember to rely on God to help us grow. Please partner in prayer with us.

· THANK God for providing us land, buildings and property to plant a church

· THANK God for the core team of people He has called to start the new plant and the different spiritual gifts he has granted us

· PRAY for the local churches in Willoughby, that they would preach the gospel and live it out faithfully

· PRAY for more gospel workers to join the Willoughby Church Plant

· PRAY for all involved in property and building planning, that God would give the wisdom to figure out the best way forward

Other things you can do to help!

· Talk to your friends about our church plant!

Like us on Facebook “Cornerstone Willoughby” and invite your friends to like it too, especially those that might be looking for a church around the area. 

team

At one of the meetings. What a great team! Please contact us if you are interested in joining us. There is always room for more.

piano

Have we found a pianist?

 

In the weeks ahead:

· We will re-group after the holiday period on 8th of February with a working bee & social gathering, everyone is welcome to come, further details soon. 

· There will be further prayer letters throughout January, please subscribe and pray with us.

 

In Christ,

The team at Cornerstone Willoughby.

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Concord Sermon Series - 1 Thessalonians https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/concord-sermon-series---1-thessalonians https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/concord-sermon-series---1-thessalonians#comments Wed, 05 Feb 2020 09:00:00 +1100 https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/concord-sermon-series---1-thessalonians 1th

Of all the letters written by Paul, few are as warm and affectionate as 1 Thessalonians. Acts 17 tells us that Paul spent a mere 3 weeks there proclaiming the Gospel, and yet it gave birth to a church of people that were willing to suffer and pursue godliness. What does one say to a church that become such a model to all others? Paul exhorts them to continue and excel in a life under the true and living God who saved them in Jesus. In the same way, 1 Thessalonians exhorts us to never settle in the Christian life and to pursue excellence as we see the Day draw nearer. "Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more." (4: 1)

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1th

Of all the letters written by Paul, few are as warm and affectionate as 1 Thessalonians. Acts 17 tells us that Paul spent a mere 3 weeks there proclaiming the Gospel, and yet it gave birth to a church of people that were willing to suffer and pursue godliness. What does one say to a church that become such a model to all others? Paul exhorts them to continue and excel in a life under the true and living God who saved them in Jesus. In the same way, 1 Thessalonians exhorts us to never settle in the Christian life and to pursue excellence as we see the Day draw nearer. "Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more." (4: 1)

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Strathfield Sermon Series - Lamentations https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/strathfield-sermon-series---lamentations https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/strathfield-sermon-series---lamentations#comments Thu, 30 Jan 2020 09:00:00 +1100 https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/strathfield-sermon-series---lamentations Lamentations

The book of Lamentations is one of the most neglected books of the OT and probably even the entire Bible. But this tightly structured section of God's Word helps us more than any other to understand the righteous justice of God. What's more, it helps us to entering into the suffering of God's people and leads us back to God through humble repentance.

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Lamentations

The book of Lamentations is one of the most neglected books of the OT and probably even the entire Bible. But this tightly structured section of God's Word helps us more than any other to understand the righteous justice of God. What's more, it helps us to entering into the suffering of God's people and leads us back to God through humble repentance.

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Homebush Bay Sermon Series - Ephesians https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/homebush-bay-sermon-series---ephesians https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/homebush-bay-sermon-series---ephesians#comments Tue, 28 Jan 2020 10:00:00 +1100 https://www.cornerstonechurch.com.au/pastoral-blog-posts/post/homebush-bay-sermon-series---ephesians \FB Ephesians Sermon Series

It's been called "the divinest composition of man", "The greatest piece of writing in all of history", and "The Queen of the Epistles". Anyone who's been a Christian for any length of time would have tasted something of the sweeping grandeur of Paul's Letter to the Ephesians. At its heart it's God's Word for us about His glorious purpose to bring everything together in Christ - 'both things in heaven and things on earth'. In a year where we are looking at restoration and renewal, this letter has much to teach us. If you're looking for a church join us as we begin our new series! We meet at Victoria Ave Public School at 10am.

 

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\FB Ephesians Sermon Series

It's been called "the divinest composition of man", "The greatest piece of writing in all of history", and "The Queen of the Epistles". Anyone who's been a Christian for any length of time would have tasted something of the sweeping grandeur of Paul's Letter to the Ephesians. At its heart it's God's Word for us about His glorious purpose to bring everything together in Christ - 'both things in heaven and things on earth'. In a year where we are looking at restoration and renewal, this letter has much to teach us. If you're looking for a church join us as we begin our new series! We meet at Victoria Ave Public School at 10am.

 

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