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The weekly sermons of Cornerstone Community Bible Church in Rosenberg, Texas. Features regular preaching from our pastor as well as local and guest speakers.
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Jesus specializes in calling unlikely disciples, as demonstrated when He called Levi, a despised tax collector, to follow Him. Tax collectors were hated as traitors who got rich by extorting their own people, yet Jesus saw past Levi's reputation to his potential. When Jesus said Follow me, Levi immediately left his lucrative position and threw a dinner party to introduce his friends to Jesus. The religious leaders were scandalized that Jesus would eat with sinners, but Jesus explained that He came to call sinners, not the righteous. Every follower of Jesus is an unlikely disciple because we all fall short of God's glory, yet Jesus calls us while we're still sinners and offers transformation.
Jesus began His ministry by proclaiming that God's kingdom had arrived and calling ordinary fishermen to follow Him. Unlike traditional rabbis who waited for students to approach them, Jesus actively sought out Simon, Andrew, James, and John, inviting them to abandon their fishing careers and become fishers of men. Their immediate response demonstrates that faith often requires acting on what we know about Christ, even without having all our questions answered. When Jesus taught in the synagogue and cast out demons with simple commands, the disciples discovered His unique authority over both spiritual and earthly realms. This same invitation to follow Jesus remains open today, calling us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and join Him in inviting others into life-transforming relationship with God.
Jonah's anger at God's mercy toward Nineveh reveals a heart problem we all share - wanting justice for others but mercy for ourselves. When God spared the city, Jonah became furious because he knew God was gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Through the object lesson of a plant that brought Jonah comfort before being destroyed, God showed that Jonah cared more about his temporary comfort than the eternal souls of 120,000 people. This story challenges us to examine our own hearts for times when we've been angry at God's grace toward people we think don't deserve it. God's heart is radically different from ours - and that's the best news we could receive.
The story of Jonah chapter 3 reveals a God who refuses to give up on failed prophets or doomed cities. When God called Jonah a second time after his spectacular failure, there was no lecture or firing - just another opportunity to obey. This time, humbled by his experience in the fish, Jonah simply went to Nineveh and delivered God's warning. Amazingly, the entire violent city repented, from the king to the common people. God's character never changes, but He responds with mercy when people turn from evil. Your past mistakes don't disqualify you from God's calling - failure is often the beginning of your story, not the end.
When life feels overwhelming and you've exhausted every option, you're not alone in your desperation. Even biblical heroes like Jonah, David, and Paul experienced deep despair and felt at the end of their rope. Jonah's story from the belly of a great fish teaches us that we are never too far gone for God to reach us. Even in our darkest moments, God is working behind the scenes in ways we cannot see. Just as God appointed a fish to rescue Jonah, He prepares circumstances and people to reach us when we cry out to Him. The key is remembering God's character - He is merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
Fear is growing in America, but not all fear is created equal. The story of Jonah reveals the difference between healthy and unhealthy fear. Healthy fear moves us toward good decisions and keeps us safe, while unhealthy fear paralyzes us or drives us toward wrong choices. When God called Jonah to preach to the brutal Assyrians in Nineveh, Jonah's understandable fear of death led to an unhealthy fear of God - he ran in the opposite direction. Meanwhile, the pagan sailors on his ship demonstrated healthy fear when they recognized God's power and responded with worship. God pursued Jonah with a storm and a great fish, not to punish but to redirect him back to his calling.
Moses instructed God's people to bind His word on their hands, between their eyes, and on their doorposts and gates. These commands represent three levels of faith commitment: personal reminders for our actions, allowing God's word to shape our worldview, and public testimony through our homes and community involvement. The goal isn't empty religious symbols but authentic integrity where private commitment aligns with public witness. Modern believers need practical reminders to help them live out their faith genuinely, ensuring their actions match their beliefs and draw others to ask about the hope they carry.
Spiritual growth isn't about having the right skills or education - it's about proximity to God's Word. When Scripture shapes our thoughts, emotions, and actions, it naturally overflows into our relationships and conversations. King Josiah exemplified this transformation when he allowed God's Word to completely reshape his life at age 26. Research shows that people who engage with Scripture four or more times per week experience dramatically different thinking and living patterns. The goal isn't perfection or expertise, but consistent daily immersion in God's Word and intentional community with His people.
True love for God requires complete commitment, not partial dedication. The Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 calls us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and might. This isn't about admiring God from a distance, but entering into genuine relationship with Him as your personal God. Just as athletes give everything to their sport, we're called to hold nothing back in our relationship with God. Through Jesus Christ, God has made this relationship possible by addressing our spiritual heart defect and removing the barrier of sin. The question isn't whether God loves us, but whether we'll be all in with Him.
Starting each day with the right foundation matters more than New Year's resolutions. The ancient Jewish practice of reciting the Shema - declaring that the Lord our God is one - provides a powerful daily rhythm for believers. This declaration from Deuteronomy 6:4 reminds us that God is uniquely different from all other gods because He speaks directly to His people, rescues through mighty acts, and pursues us with love. Unlike other religions that require earning divine favor through good works, Christianity is unique because God has already done everything for us. Beginning each morning by acknowledging God as Lord and King, and ending each day by examining whether we lived under His lordship, transforms our purpose, challenges, and decisions throughout the day.
All religions fall into two categories: self-righteousness and God's righteousness. Most religions require human effort to earn divine favor, while Christianity operates on God removing our sin so His goodness can remain in us. This distinction appears in Genesis with Cain and Abel's offerings. Cain brought produce from his garden representing human effort, while Abel brought sacrifice representing what God provides. Jesus came as the promised Branch from Nazareth, whose name means salvation. Through His death and resurrection, He became our Tree of Life, inviting us to find our righteousness in Him rather than our own works.
Christmas lights remind us of the true Light of the World who came to earth over 2,000 years ago. Just as God spoke light into existence at creation, He stepped into our world as Jesus Christ to pierce through spiritual darkness. The prophet Isaiah foretold that people walking in darkness would see a great light, fulfilled when Jesus declared Himself the light of the world. Unlike physical darkness, spiritual darkness isn't overcome by adding good or removing bad, but by the presence of Christ's light. Jesus came not to condemn but to save, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him. This Christmas, let the lights around you serve as reminders of Christ's light and consider how you can share that light with others who are still walking in darkness.
The Christmas story in Luke 2:8-20 reveals the fulfillment of God's first promise made in Genesis 3:15 - that He would send a Savior through the seed of a woman. When Jesus was born, God chose to announce this world-changing event to shepherds, society's outcasts who were essential yet despised. An angel appeared to them with incredible news: a Savior, Christ the Lord, had been born in Bethlehem. After finding the baby exactly as described, the shepherds became the first evangelists, spreading the good news everywhere. Christmas represents the great exchange where we give God our sin and shame, and He gives us His righteousness and character.
The Christmas story isn't what you think! Jesus wasn't born in isolation - God orchestrated a Roman census to get Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born surrounded by family in a crowded home. Sometimes God's greatest works happen through life's most unexpected moments. What unexpected circumstances might God be using in YOUR story this Christmas?
Scott Krippayne Christmas Concert - December 7 2025
The first Christmas was anything but expected, yet it fulfilled centuries-old promises. When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary with unexpected news, her response differed dramatically from Zechariah's doubt. Mary's faith was rooted in knowing God's Word, understanding His character, and choosing surrender over self-protection. Her example teaches us that when unexpected circumstances arise, we can trust God's promises and faithfulness. The foundation for handling life's surprises isn't found in our own strength, but in anchoring ourselves in God's unchanging character and proven track record of keeping His word.
Paul's letter to the Colossians reveals that ministry is a team effort, not a solo endeavor. He introduces ten diverse ministry partners, each bringing unique gifts to advance the Gospel. From Tychicus the faithful messenger to Luke the skilled physician, these individuals demonstrate that everyone has something valuable to contribute to God's Kingdom work. Their stories show us the power of diversity, the importance of using our professional skills for ministry, and the possibility of restored relationships through Christ. Just as Paul relied on his team, the church today needs every believer to actively participate using their unique abilities and resources.
Paul's final teaching in Colossians calls believers to live with spiritual alertness and intentionality through steadfast prayer and gospel sharing. Continuing steadfastly in prayer means persisting with unwavering dedication, staying watchful for God's answers and opportunities while maintaining a heart of thanksgiving. Christianity is designed as a team sport, not a solo endeavor, requiring believers to support one another in ministry. Paul emphasizes walking in wisdom toward outsiders by redeeming the time and making the most of every opportunity to share the gospel. Our speech should be gracious and seasoned with salt, reflecting Christ's character while naturally incorporating biblical perspectives into conversations.
God calls His people to stand in the gap for the vulnerable, reflecting His heart for those who feel forgotten. Understanding our identity as chosen, holy, and dearly loved transforms how we live in our families and care for others. Paul's instructions to families in Colossians 3 reveal God's design for mutual love, respect, and service. When parents lead with love rather than harshness, and when spouses practice mutual submission, families become a living testimony of the gospel. This foundation naturally extends to caring for orphans and vulnerable children, as we remember that we were all once spiritual orphans whom God adopted into His family. Standing in the gap costs something, but it displays the very gospel that saved us.
Christians must actively put on Christlike character qualities because their identity in Christ demands it. Paul commands believers to cultivate compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and love—not to earn God's favor, but because they are already chosen, holy, and beloved. These qualities develop through community interaction, letting God's Word dwell richly within us, and maintaining thankful hearts. Character growth flows from remembering who we are in Christ rather than pursuing moral improvement through willpower alone.
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