Sermons
Feb 22, 2026
In this message from John 15, we explore the essential core value of Growth. Discover how the imagery of the vine and the branches illustrates our need to individually abide in Christ to bear fruit that brings glory to God and impacts those around us.
Key Moments & Time Stamps
[21:36] — Introduction & Scripture Reading: Turning to John 15 and the section on "Growth" in the church core values booklet.
[22:34] — What is the Church? Understanding that the church is a family and a gathering of people, not just an address or a building.
[23:48] — The Design for Growth: Why God designed believers to be part of a family and why we are not meant to live the Christian life alone.
[24:41] — Context of John 15: Jesus’ final words to His disciples in the upper room and on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane.
[28:21] — Reading the Word: John 15:1-11 — The Vine, the Branches, and the Father as the Husbandman.
[31:47] — Individual Growth: "What is God's desire for me?" The call to abide (be near) and abound in fruit.
[41:42] — What is the Fruit? A look at Galatians 5:22 and the "Fruit of the Spirit" (Love, Joy, Peace, etc.) as the litmus test of a Christlike life.
[49:12] — Why Must I Grow? Understanding that your life was created for God's glory and has eternal purpose.
[54:04] — Fishers of Men: Lessons from Matthew 4:19 and how following Christ makes us effective in impacting others.
[1:02:45] — Corporate Growth: How the church grows together through application, accountability, and affirmation.
[1:10:37] — Affirmation in Action: A testimony of the church’s impact in helping provide Bibles to the Rian Core people of Uganda.
[1:17:03] — Closing Prayer & Call to Abide: A final invitation to move from knowledge to application and walk closely with the Lord.
Feb 15, 2026
Message starts at 25:34
In this sermon titled "The Value of Prayer," we explore the teachings of Luke 11. The message emphasizes the essential nature of prayer in the life of a believer, moving beyond routine to a deeper, more persistent relationship with God.
Below are the key chapters of the message:
00:25:34 - Introduction to the Value of Prayer
00:27:15 - The Disciples' Request: "Lord, Teach Us to Pray"
00:32:40 - Breaking Down the Lord's Prayer
00:41:10 - The Importance of Hallowing God's Name
00:48:25 - Seeking Daily Bread and Spiritual Sustenance
00:55:50 - The Parable of the Persistent Friend
01:03:15 - Persistence in Prayer: Ask, Seek, and Knock
01:12:40 - God’s Goodness as a Father in Answering Prayer
01:21:05 - Closing Prayer and Final Thoughts
Feb 8, 2026
Message starts at 29:04
In this message, we continue our series on the core values of our church by looking at the vital principle of Preaching. While many view preaching as the responsibility of a single person behind a pulpit, the Bible shows us that the proclamation of God's Word is a calling that involves the entire body of Christ through the lives we live and the truths we share.
Using Paul’s final encouragement to Timothy, we explore the "What, So What, and Now What" of biblical preaching and why the message must always remain centered on the inspired Word of God rather than human opinion.
Key Highlights:
The Command to Preach: Understanding why we evangelize the lost, edify the believer, and equip the church for ministry.
The Power of Scripture: A breakdown of 2 Timothy 3:16-17—how the Bible is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.
The Message: Why we preach Christ crucified as the full and final payment for sin, regardless of whether the world sees it as "foolishness."
Application: Moving beyond the "head knowledge" of teaching to the "heart response" of preaching—challenging the human will to act on the truth.
"Preaching is communicating God's word in its context to listeners for their application. It connects the truth about Jesus to people."
Timestamps
29:12 – Opening & Welcome to 2nd Timothy
29:29 – A Lighthearted Moment: The "Guest" Fly in the Sanctuary
30:29 – Church Core Value Booklets & Purpose
32:22 – Review: Our Purpose & The Principle of Love
33:08 – Summary of Core Values: Pray, Grow, Give, Serve, Sing
35:22 – Introduction to Preaching: Why We All "Preach" with Our Lives
37:08 – The Authority of the Message: It Must Come from the Word
37:46 – Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14 – 4:5
39:20 – Exploring the Text: "Preach the Word" in Context
40:50 – Four Vital Questions: Why, What, Who, and Where?
41:22 – Why Do We Preach? Command, Calling, and Edification
42:56 – Why Truth is Always Relevant in Every Society
46:16 – How to Study Scripture: The "What, So What, and Now What?" Method
48:00 – The Danger of "What does this mean to you?" vs. "What has God said?"
53:48 – What Do We Preach? Doctrine, Reproof, Correction, & Instruction
1:01:23 – Becoming "Thoroughly Furnished": The Goal of Maturity
1:02:03 – Preaching Christ: 1 Corinthians 1 and the "Foolishness" of the Gospel
1:07:33 – Who and Where Do We Preach? Reaching All People Everywhere
1:09:40 – Preaching vs. Teaching: Reaching the Will vs. Reaching the Mind
February 1, 2026
Sermon Message Begins at 9:25
In this teaching, we explore the biblical foundations for the two ordinances given to the local church: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Drawing from Acts 2, Acts 8, and Matthew 26, we examine why these practices are vital for every believer’s walk.
The message clarifies that baptism is a public "identification" with Christ—much like a wedding ring symbolizes a marriage—and explains why the Lord’s Supper is a memorial intended to keep our focus on the Gospel. We also discuss the danger of the church becoming distracted by social or political "fires," emphasizing that our primary mission is the proclamation of Jesus Christ.
Key Themes: Ordinance vs. Salvation: Understanding that these are acts of obedience, not requirements to enter heaven.
Public Identification: Why baptism is a declaration to the world of a personal transformation.
The Priority of the Gospel: How to keep "the main thing the main thing" in a world of distractions.
Unity at the Table: How the Lord’s Supper removes societal barriers and unites believers.
Timestamps
11:21 – Transition to the core lesson: Things we should remember.
11:40 – Defining an "ordinance" as something ordered by the Lord.
12:12 – Why baptism is a local church function, not an individual act.
12:53 – The frequency and purpose of the Lord’s Supper.
13:54 – Acts 2:37: The response to Peter’s preaching.
15:10 – Repentance: Changing your mind about where salvation is found.
16:55 – The Great Commission and the start of the Church.
18:13 – Faith vs. Works: Identifying what you are truly trusting in.
20:44 – "Because of" vs. "In order to": Correcting misconceptions about baptism.
23:14 – The "Wanted for Murder" illustration for scriptural interpretation.
24:54 – Baptism as identification with Christ's death and resurrection.
25:50 – Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch: Belief must precede baptism.
31:41 – The Institution of the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26).
33:59 – Symbols of Remembrance: Why the bread and cup are representative.
35:38 – Avoiding the Tool of Distraction: Politics vs. Proclamation.
38:40 – Missions and Humanitarian Aid: Keeping the Gospel central.
44:18 – The Lord’s Supper as a "Class System Remover" and Uniter.
48:13 – Why we need tangible pictures to remember Christ.
51:41 – Closing Prayer: Staying focused on the Savior.
January 18, 2026
Sermon Message Begins at 26:25 - 1 John 4
Magnifying Jesus: The Biblical Principle of Love | 1 John 4
What is the true purpose of the church? In this message, we dive into 1 John chapter 4 to explore why we exist to magnify Jesus, make disciples, and multiply churches. We often hear the phrase "love is love," but what does the Bible actually say about the nature of God’s love?
Join us as we break down why the only thing of eternal value we can take to heaven is another person, and how God’s perfect love is proven through the cross and perfected in our lives through service to others.
Key Takeaways from this Message:
Our Core Purpose: Why magnifying Jesus must lead to the multiplication of the local church.
The Definition of Love: Why love is a deed, not just a feeling, and how it was personified in Jesus Christ.
Because Of vs. In Order To: Understanding that we serve God because He first loved us, not to earn His favor.
The 10 Action Principles: A look at the practical ways we live out our faith through loving, preaching, praying, and witnessing.
Video Timestamps:
27:24 - Turning to 1 John 4: Our Purpose Statement
28:20 - The Only Thing of Eternal Value: People
29:15 - Breaking Down the Great Commission
30:52 - The 10 Principles of the Christian Life
33:32 - Context: Who is "The Beloved"?
34:38 - God is Love: The Propitiation for Our Sins
37:02 - "Because Of" vs. "In Order To"
41:15 - Point 1: God’s Love is Perfect
44:48 - Why Love is Not the Affirmation of Feelings
51:15 - Love Proven on the Cross
55:10 - Point 2: God’s Love Perfected in Us
January 11, 2026
Sermon Message Begins at 24:45 - (Matthew 16)
What does the Bible really say about the church—and who we are as God’s people? In this message from Matthew chapter 16, we continue our study on the identity of the local church and answer important questions like:
What is the church?
Why does church identity matter?
What does it mean to be an independent Baptist church?
Where does our authority come from?
This teaching walks through Scripture to show that the church is a local assembly of baptized believers whose purpose is to magnify Christ, make disciples, and multiply churches. We explore why biblical authority—not denominations, councils, or traditions—must guide the church, and why Christ alone is the head of the church.
You’ll also learn the biblical foundations behind the Baptist distinctives using the familiar BAPTISTS acrostic, including:
Biblical Authority
Autonomy of the Local Church
Priesthood of the Believer
Two Ordinances (Baptism & the Lord’s Supper)
Individual Soul Liberty
Saved Church Membership
Two Offices (Pastor & Deacons)
Separation
This message emphasizes simplicity, faithfulness to God’s Word, and the freedom believers have in Christ to serve Him according to Scripture—not man-made systems.
📖 Scripture Focus: Matthew 16, Matthew 18, Ephesians 2, 1 Corinthians 12
🏛 Church: Cornerstone Baptist Church
✝️ Theme: Church Identity | Biblical Authority | The Body of Christ
January 4, 2026
Join us for this powerful worship service as we begin the new year by focusing on what the church truly is and why it exists. Through heartfelt congregational singing and the preaching of God’s Word, we are reminded that the church is not a building—but a called-out assembly of believers with a clear biblical mission.
Message Highlights:
What does the Bible say the church is?
Why Jesus is the foundation of the church
The meaning of ecclesia — a called-out assembly
Our church purpose: Magnify Jesus, Make Disciples, Multiply Churches
The importance of worship, discipleship, and mission
Why the local church matters today
This message serves as an introduction to an upcoming study on the biblical purpose and mission of the church and challenges every believer to reflect on who Jesus is and how we are called to follow Him.
December 21, 2025
Join us for this special Christmas worship service as we gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Emmanuel—God with us. In this message, we reflect on the beauty and depth of the Christmas story through Scripture, song, and prayer, focusing especially on the often-overlooked faith and obedience of Joseph.
This service includes heartfelt worship with beloved Christmas hymns such as “Adore,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” and “The First Noel,” followed by a powerful message from Matthew chapter 1. We explore how Joseph adored Christ not merely with words, but through obedient action, even in the face of difficult decisions, heavy responsibility, and painful delay.
✨ In this message, you’ll discover: Why Christmas is about more than tradition—it’s about the incarnation of Christ How Joseph’s obedience was rooted in God’s Word, not feelings What it means to trust God when the path forward is unclear How the facts of Scripture transform our faith and our daily walk Why Emmanuel—God with us—changes everything As the busyness of the season surrounds us, this message calls us to pause, reflect, and truly adore Christ—not just at Christmas, but every day. 📖
Scripture Focus: Matthew 1:18–25 🙏 Theme: Adoring Christ Through Obedient Faith 🎶 Worship | Prayer | Biblical Teaching
December 14, 2025
Join us for a Christ-centered worship service as we gather to adore Christ the Lord during this special Christmas season .
Through prayer, Scripture, and beloved hymns like
Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery,
Angels We Have Heard on High, and
O Come All Ye Faithful, we are reminded why Jesus came—to save the world 🌍✝️.
In today’s message from Luke chapter 2, we continue our series “Adoring Him: The Christ of Christmas” by looking at the birth of Jesus through the eyes of Mary. While the shepherds proclaimed Christ publicly, Mary kept these things and pondered them in her heart ❤️.
This message encourages us to cultivate a personal, daily walk with the Lord, trusting His promises, resting in His truth, and responding in faithful obedience.
November 30, 2025
📖 Message Title: “Thanksgiving Is the Doorway to God’s Presence” Psalm 100 teaches us that gratitude is not just a holiday theme—it’s a daily walk with God. In this message we explore:
• The danger of an ungrateful heart
• Why gratitude must be intentionally cultivated
• Biblical commands to give thanks in all things
• How thankfulness shapes our posture, peace, and spiritual stability
• The importance of remembering God’s blessings in every season of life
November 23, 2025
In this sermon, we look at:
📖 Psalm 75:1 — “Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks…”
🙏 The danger of an unthankful heart
🏛 How Israel’s history shows the importance of remembering God
❤️ Why gratitude is more than a feeling—it's an intentional act
🙌 What it truly means to acknowledge God in all our ways (Proverbs 3:5–6) 💡 Why giving thanks is central to worship, obedience, and spiritual health
You’ll also see how:
• Gratitude protects us from pride
• Acknowledgment is the biblical expression of thankfulness
• God desires our hearts more than our possessions
• Thanksgiving is not a holiday event—it’s a lifestyle of worship
Whether you're preparing for Thanksgiving or simply wanting to grow spiritually, this message reminds us that everything we are and everything we have is from the Lord.
November 16, 2025
In today’s message, we walk with the Apostle John into one of the most powerful and awe-inspiring sections of Scripture: the heavenly vision beginning in Revelation chapter 4. Here, John is called up to witness “things which must be hereafter,” giving us a breathtaking glimpse of God’s throne room, the worthiness of the Lamb, and the unfolding of God’s final plan for humanity.
We explore:
✨ The transition from the Church Age to the Hereafter
✨ Why Revelation isn’t always chronological—and how to read it
✨ The biblical basis for a pre-tribulational rapture
✨ The promise believers have of being kept from the coming wrath (1 Thess. 4–5)
✨ The throne of God, heavenly worship, and the purpose of all creation
✨ The sealed book in God’s right hand and the only One worthy to open it—Jesus, the Lamb of God
✨ How God’s justice, holiness, love, and judgment are perfectly balanced
Stephen & Rachel Stewart
Stephen and Rachel have one main passion - to see people enter into a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ. They love the people of Smyrna and desire to see them changed by the grace of Jesus. You can reach Stephen at [email protected]
