Cornerstone Blog

Three Encouragements for the Christian Journey (Rev. Isaac Lee)
Scripture Reading: James 1:12-18
Week of November 15, 2026

Sermon Summary:
The Christian life is a difficult journey filled with trials and temptations. In James 1:12–18, we are given three encouragements to remain faithful as we journey toward our heavenly home.

First, remember the end prize. Those who persevere through trials will receive the crown of life, the promise of eternal life secured through Christ. Second, do not be deceived. God is not the source of our temptations; rather, we are lured by our own sinful desires, which ultimately lead to death. Therefore, we must recognize the danger of sin and take responsibility for our hearts. Third, remember God’s goodness. Unlike the changing world around us, God is good and unchanging. He is the source of every good gift, and the greatest demonstration of His goodness is giving us new life through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As we face trials and temptations, may we remain faithful by fixing our eyes on eternity, resisting sin, and trusting in God’s goodness.

Sermon Discussion Questions
Getting Started:

1. What was most challenging, helpful, or troubling in the sermon?

Digging Deeper:

2. James reminds us that those who remain steadfast under trial will receive the crown of life. How does keeping the promise of eternal life in view change the way we approach the trials and hardships we face today?
3. In verses 13–15, James makes it clear that God does not tempt anyone, but that we are tempted by our own desires. Why is it important to recognize the source of our temptations? How might we sometimes blame God or our circumstances rather than examine our own hearts?
4. When you face temptation, what are some practical ways you can fight against it? How can we encourage and help one another in this struggle?
5. James reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from God, who never changes. How does remembering God’s unchanging goodness help us when our circumstances are difficult or when we struggle to understand what He is doing?

Prayer:

6. Pray for one another.

Relationship with the Lord (Rev. Isaac Lee)
Scripture Reading: Exodus 24:1-11
Week of May 10, 2026

Sermon Summary:
In Book of Exodus 24:1–11, we see Israel’s covenant ceremony with God, where God brings His people into relationship with Himself. Like wedding vows that establish a covenant between husband and wife, this passage shows Israel publicly committing themselves to the Lord. First, God speaks: He initiates the relationship and reveals His Word through Moses, showing that covenant begins with God’s gracious self-revelation. Second, God cleanses: through sacrifice and the blood of the covenant, Israel is atoned for and their relationship with God is secured and maintained, pointing ultimately to the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Third, God welcomes: after being cleansed, Israel’s leaders ascend the mountain, behold God, and eat in His presence—a picture of restored fellowship. This covenant ceremony ultimately points to Christ, our greater mediator, whose blood brings us near and welcomes us into communion with God.

Sermon Discussion Questions
Looking at the text:

1. What did Moses speak to the people at the foot of the mountain?
2. How did the people respond to God’s law?
3. What did Moses sprinkle the altar and people with? Why does God’s covenant with Israel need blood?

Applying the Sermon:

4. What is one encouragement, challenge, or truth that spoke to you as you listened to the sermon?
5. Do you truly approach the Bible as God speaking to you, or more as information to learn? If God’s Word establishes our relationship with Him, what would it look like for you to prioritize it this week?
6. When you sin against God, where do you run first—toward Him or away from Him? How does understanding that Jesus’ blood both secures and sustains your relationship with God change how you deal with failure?
7. In what ways does knowing you will one day feast with Christ give you hope today?

Prayer:

8. Pray for one another.

Food for Our Journeys (Rev. Eddie Pyun)
Scripture Reading: Exodus 16
Week of April 26, 2026

Sermon Discussion Questions
Getting Started:

1. What is one encouragement, challenge, or truth that spoke to you as you listened to the sermon?
2. What did Israel do when they were hungry in the wilderness of Sin?detour?
3. How did the Lord respond to Israel’s need and their complaining?

Digging Deeper:

4. Exodus 16 shows that grumbling against circumstances or leaders is ultimately grumbling against God. Where are you most tempted to grumble right now, and what might that reveal about your trust in God?
5. When life becomes difficult, what are you most tempted to believe about God (e.g., that He has forgotten you, is withholding from you, or is not good)?
6. What would it look like this week to trust God for “daily bread” in your life?

Prayer:

7. Pray for one another.

Into the Unknown (Rev. Isaac Lee)
Scripture Reading: Exodus 13:17-22
Week of April 12, 2026

Sermon Summary:
Today, we reflect on Israel’s journey in Exodus 13:17–22 as a picture of the Christian life. Just as God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt yet led them through the wilderness before reaching the Promised Land, believers today live in an “in-between” season: saved by Christ but still awaiting the fullness of the new heavens and new earth. First, the detour reminds us that God’s guidance may seem inconvenient, yet it is always wise and loving, leading us in the path best for our growth and protection. Second, Joseph’s bones serve as a testimony to God’s faithfulness, reminding us that His promises never fail even in seasons of uncertainty. Third, the pillar of cloud and fire reveals God’s abiding presence with His people. For Christians, this presence is now known more fully in Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the call is to trust God in life’s detours, cling to His promises, and rest in His presence.

Sermon Discussion Questions
Getting Started:

1. What is one encouragement, challenge, or truth that spoke to you as you listened to the sermon?
2. According to verses 17–18, who is leading Israel? What reason does the text explicitly give for God’s detour?

Digging Deeper:

3. Can you think of a “detour” season in your life where God’s path seemed confusing or inconvenient? Why is it often difficult to trust God when His leading does not match our plans?
4. What does Joseph’s faith teach us about trusting God’s promises before we see their fulfillment?
5. How does knowing Christ is with you change the way you face uncertainty?
6. What is one area of your life where God may be calling you to trust Him more this week?

Prayer:

7. Pray for one another.

Mercy in Action (Rev. Isaac Lee)
Scripture Reading: 1 John 3:16-18
Week of March 15, 2026

Sermon Summary:
Today, all Christians are called to love one another. Love is not merely a feeling but a self-giving commitment that seeks the good of others, even at personal cost. Scripture consistently teaches this—from the command in Leviticus 19:18 to Jesus’ words in John 13:34–35. The clearest example of love is Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for us. Because Christ loved us sacrificially, believers are called to imitate that love in everyday life. Practically, this means caring for fellow believers who are in need and refusing to “close our hearts” to them. Reluctance to show mercy often reveals deeper heart issues such as trusting in money, comfort, or control. The solution is to look again to Christ’s sacrificial love, which transforms our hearts and moves us to acts of mercy, generosity, and service toward others.

Sermon Discussion Questions
Getting Started:

1. What is one encouragement, challenge, or truth that spoke to you as you listened to the sermon?
2. What does John use as the example to define love? What action did Jesus take that demonstrates love?

Digging Deeper:

3. Do you struggle with helping others in need? Why do you sometimes struggle to help others even when they clearly see a need? What are the excuses that you make? And what does it reveal about your heart?
4. How does Jesus’ example shape our understanding of what it means to “lay down our lives” for others?
5. What are is one practical way you can show mercy to someone this week?

Prayer:

6. Pray for one another.

The Gospel is on the Move! (Rev. Isaac Lee)
Scripture Reading: Acts 8:1-8
Week of March 1, 2026

Sermon Summary:
Acts 8:1-8 shows how God advances His gospel through tragedy and persecution. The martyrdom of Stephen appeared to be a devastating loss for the early church, yet it became the catalyst for gospel expansion. A great persecution arose, led in part by Saul, and believers were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. This dispersion fulfilled Jesus’ promise in Acts 1:8 that His witnesses would go beyond Jerusalem. As they scattered, ordinary believers preached the word, demonstrating that gospel proclamation is not limited to apostles or leaders but belongs to all Christians. Philip’s ministry in Samaria further revealed that the gospel crosses ethnic and cultural barriers, bringing deliverance and great joy. From this passage come two central truths: nothing can stop God’s sovereign plan, and every believer is called to participate in it. What appears to be a setback may be God’s means of spreading His saving purposes to the world.

Sermon Discussion Questions
Getting Started:

1. What is one encouragement, challenge, or truth that spoke to you as you listened to the sermon?
2. If Christ used persecution to advance His mission, what does that tell us about His sovereignty?

Digging Deeper:

3. Acts 8 shows that ordinary believers—not just apostles—preached the word. How does this challenge common assumptions about who is responsible for evangelism today?
4. Philip went to Samaria despite the tension between Israel and Samaria. Who might be the “unlikely” people in our lives that we hesitate to share the gospel with?
5. The scattered believers shared the word wherever they went. What would it look like for us to participate in that this week? What is one specific, practical step you could take this week to begin sharing Christ with someone God has placed in your life?

Prayer:

6. Pray for one another.

The Habit of Hosting (Rev. Eddie Pyun)
Scripture Reading: Luke 14:12-14
Week of February 15, 2026

Sermon Discussion Questions
Getting Started:

1. What is one encouragement, challenge, or truth that spoke to you as you listened to the sermon?
2. What specific instructions does Jesus give about whom to invite to a meal? What kinds of people does Jesus say not to prioritize inviting, and what kinds of people does Jesus say should be invited instead?
3. What specifically does Jesus highlight about the poor, crippled, lame, and blind as the reason to invite them?

Digging Deeper:

4. Who are the people we tend to “invite” into our lives, activities, and homes? What are some of the “benefits” that we get from them?
5. What are some practical ways we can show hospitality and welcome to strangers, newcomers, or people who cannot “repay” us?
6. How does Jesus’ grace toward us motivate us to extend grace to others?

Prayer:

7. Pray for the pastoral search.
   • Pray for the church that we would wait well upon the Lord, grow in grace and unity, trust in His perfect timing, and use this season intentionally to be a blessing and encouragement to the pastor the Lord is preparing for us.
   • Pray for the candidate the Lord is preparing that he would be a man of godly character, faithful in ministry, and rich in wisdom and humility. That he would love Christ deeply and shepherd God’s people well—as a pastor, and, if applicable, as a husband, father, and friend.
   • Pray for the leadership of Cornerstone that they would be sustained by the Lord, seek His wisdom in every decision, and be discerning and faithful as they lead the church through this season.
   • Pray for our current pastors thankfulness for their efforts, time and devotion to the church, for their continued growth and flourishing—personally and vocationally—and that they would be strengthened and encouraged in the work the Lord has set before them.
8. Pray for one another.

The Habit of Giving (Rev. Eddie Pyun)
Scripture Reading: Mark 12:41-44
Week of February 1, 2026

Sermon Discussion Questions
Getting Started:

1. What is one encouragement, challenge, or truth that spoke to you as you listened to the sermon?
2. How much does the poor widow give compared to the many rich people? What does this tell you about the widow?
3. Why do you think Jesus calls this widow’s gift “more” when it is clearly less in amount?

Digging Deeper:

4. What makes it hard to be consistent in giving month to month or week to week? What emotions tend to surface when you think about giving—joy, fear, hesitation, excitement, something else? Why?
5. Can you share a time when giving required you to trust God in a tangible way?
6. How does Jesus becoming poor for our sake reshape the way you think about tithing? How does reflecting on what Christ has given you shape the way you think about money?

Prayer:

7. Pray for the pastoral search.
   • Pray for the church that we would wait well upon the Lord, grow in grace and unity, trust in His perfect timing, and use this season intentionally to be a blessing and encouragement to the pastor the Lord is preparing for us.
   • Pray for the candidate the Lord is preparing that he would be a man of godly character, faithful in ministry, and rich in wisdom and humility. That he would love Christ deeply and shepherd God’s people well—as a pastor, and, if applicable, as a husband, father, and friend.
   • Pray for the leadership of Cornerstone that they would be sustained by the Lord, seek His wisdom in every decision, and be discerning and faithful as they lead the church through this season.
   • Pray for our current pastors thankfulness for their efforts, time and devotion to the church, for their continued growth and flourishing—personally and vocationally—and that they would be strengthened and encouraged in the work the Lord has set before them.
8. Pray for one another.