Cornerstone Berean Church

While you are under the sun, you will deepen your joy if you will reckon with the reality of death, live with the end in mind, and continually consider the good works of God. 

Paragraph 1 The catholic or universal church, which (with respect to the internal work of the Spirit and truth of grace) may be called invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ, the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fulness of him that fills all in all.1 1 Heb. 12:23; Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:10,22–23, 5:23,27,32 — Paragraph 2 All persons throughout the world, professing the faith of the gospel, and obedience unto God by Christ according unto it, not destroying their own profession by any errors everting the foundation, or unholiness of conversation, are and may be called visible saints;2 and of such ought all particular congregations to be constituted.3 2 1 Cor. 1:2; Acts 11:26 3 Rom. 1:7; Eph. 1:20–22 — Paragraph 3 The purest churches under heaven are subject to mixture and error;4 and some have so degenerated as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan;5 nevertheless Christ always has had, and ever shall have a kingdom in this world, to the end thereof, of such as believe in him, and make profession of his name.6 4 1 Cor. 5; Rev. 2–3 5 Rev. 18:2; 2 Thess. 2:11–12 6 Matt. 16:18; Ps. 72:17, 102:28; Rev. 12:17 — Paragraph 4 The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, in whom, by the appointment of the Father, all power for the calling, institution, order or government of the church, is invested in a supreme and sovereign manner;7 neither can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof, but is that antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalts himself in the church against Christ, and all that is called God; whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.8 7 Col. 1:18; Matt. 28:18–20; Eph. 4:11–12 8 2 Thess. 2:2–9 — Paragraph 5 In the execution of this power wherewith he is so intrusted, the Lord Jesus calls out of the world unto himself, through the ministry of his word, by his Spirit, those that are given unto him by his Father,9 that they may walk before him in all the ways of obedience, which he prescribes to them in his word.10 Those thus called, he commands to walk together in particular societies, or churches, for their mutual edification, and the due performance of that public worship, which he requires of them in the world.11 9 John 10:16; John 12:32 10 Matt. 28:20 11 Matt. 18:15–20

There are grievous gaps between the good life God gives and the toilsome life we live, but God desires that we be glad even while we grieve in those gaps.

Paragraph 1 God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, has ordained civil magistrates to be under him, over the people, for his own glory and the public good; and to this end has armed them with the power of the sword, for defence and encouragement of them that do good, and for the punishment of evil doers.1 1 Rom. 13:1–4 — Paragraph 2 It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate when called thereunto; in the management whereof, as they ought especially to maintain justice and peace,2 according to the wholesome laws of each kingdom and commonwealth, so for that end they may lawfully now, under the New Testament, wage war upon just and necessary occasions.3 2 2 Sam. 23:3; Ps. 82:3–4 3 Luke 3:14 — Paragraph 3 Civil magistrates being set up by God for the ends aforesaid; subjection, in all lawful things commanded by them, ought to be yielded by us in the Lord, not only for wrath, but for conscience' sake;4 and we ought to make supplications and prayers for kings and all that are in authority, that under them we may live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.5 4 Rom. 13:5–7; 1 Pet. 2:17 5 1 Tim. 2:1–2

The love of money will lead only to dissatisfaction and aggravation, so love Christ and be satisfied in Him.

Paragraph 1 A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein the person swearing in truth, righteousness, and judgment, solemnly calls God to witness what he swears,1 and to judge him according to the truth or falseness thereof.2 1 Exod. 20:7; Deut. 10:20; Jer. 4:2 2 2 Chron. 6:22–23 — Paragraph 2 The name of God only is that by which men ought to swear; and therein it is to be used, with all holy fear and reverence; therefore to swear vainly or rashly by that glorious and dreadful name, or to swear at all by any other thing, is sinful, and to be abhorred;3 yet as in matter of weight and moment, for confirmation of truth, and ending all strife, an oath is warranted by the word of God;4 so a lawful oath being imposed by lawful authority in such matters, ought to be taken.5 3 Matt. 5:34,37; James 5:12 4 Heb. 6:16; 2 Cor. 1:23 5 Neh. 13:25 — Paragraph 3 Whosoever takes an oath warranted by the word of God, ought duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act, and therein to avouch nothing but what he knows to be truth; for that by rash, false, and vain oaths, the Lord is provoked, and for them this land mourns.6 6 Lev. 19:12; Jer. 23:10 — Paragraph 4 An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words, without equivocation or mental reservation.7 7 Ps. 24:4 — Paragraph 5 A vow, which is not to be made to any creature, but to God alone, is to be made and performed with all religious care and faithfulness;8 but popish monastical vows of perpetual single life,9 professed poverty,10 and regular obedience, are so far from being degrees of higher perfection, that they are superstitious and sinful snares, in which no Christian may entangle himself.11 8 Ps. 76:11; Gen. 28:20–22 9 1 Cor. 7:2,9 10 Eph. 4:28 11 Matt. 19:11

Knowing the One we worship will move us to carefully commit ourselves to careful worship.

God created us as communal creatures, but sin corrupts every aspect of healthy community and makes us dependent on Christ for genuine reconnection. 

— Paragraph 3 Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one part of natural worship, is by God required of all men.8 But that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son,9 by the help of the Spirit,10 according to his will;11 with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and when with others, in a known tongue.12 8 Ps. 95:1–7, 65:2 9 John 14:13–14 10 Rom. 8:26 11 1 John 5:14 12 1 Cor. 14:16–17 — Paragraph 4 Prayer is to be made for things lawful, and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter;13 but not for the dead,14 nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death.15 13 1 Tim. 2:1–2; 2 Sam. 7:29 14 2 Sam. 12:21–23 15 1 John 5:16 — Paragraph 5 The reading of the Scriptures,16 preaching, and hearing the Word of God,17 teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord;18 as also the administration of baptism,19 and the Lord's supper,20 are all parts of religious worship of God, to be performed in obedience to him, with understanding, faith, reverence, and godly fear; moreover, solemn humiliation, with fastings,21 and thanksgivings, upon special occasions, ought to be used in an holy and religious manner.22 16 1 Tim. 4:13 17 2 Tim. 4:2; Luke 8:18 18 Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19 19 Matt. 28:19–20 20 1 Cor. 11:26 21 Esther 4:16; Joel 2:12 22 Exod. 15:1–19, Ps. 107 — Paragraph 6 Neither prayer nor any other part of religious worship, is now under the gospel, tied unto, or made more acceptable by any place in which it is performed, or towards which it is directed; but God is to be worshipped everywhere in spirit and in truth;23 as in private families24 daily,25 and in secret each one by himself;26 so more solemnly in the public assemblies, which are not carelessly nor wilfully to be neglected or forsaken, when God by his word or providence calls thereunto.27 23 John 4:21; Mal. 1:11; 1 Tim. 2:8 24 Acts 10:2 25 Matt. 6:11; Ps. 55:17 26 Matt. 6:6 27 Heb. 10:25; Acts 2:42

The Gospel is not simply a means into the kingdom of heaven or a first step in the line of many, but in that single sacrifice, Jesus Christ unleashed the power to transform all aspects of a believers life. A Christian can find all that he needs for life and godliness in one place, the Cross of Jesus Christ No PPT provided beyond title slide.

In this world evil is pervasive and death is universal, but by faith we can learn contentment and find joy.

Paragraph 2 God alone is Lord of the conscience,12 and has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to his word, or not contained in it.13 So that to believe such doctrines, or obey such commands out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience;14 and the requiring of an implicit faith, an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience and reason also.15 12 James 4:12; Rom. 14:4 13 Acts 4:19,29; 1 Cor. 7:23; Matt. 15:9 14 Col. 2:20,22–23 15 1 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 1:24 — Paragraph 3 They who upon pretence of Christian liberty do practice any sin, or cherish any sinful lust, as they do thereby pervert the main design of the grace of the gospel to their own destruction,16 so they wholly destroy the end of Christian liberty, which is, that being delivered out of the hands of all our enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our lives.17 16 Rom. 6:1–2 17 Gal. 5:13; 2 Pet. 2:18,21

God uses time and its many frustrations to bring us to humility, teaching us trust, contentment, and joyful worship.

There are substantial gaps between the enjoyment God desires for us and our experiences of that enjoyment, but God has provided a bridge to span these gaps if we will walk it.

Covenant membership means we have officially identified with one another, have agreed to be accountable to one another, and have committed ourselves to serve and love one another under the shepherding oversight of our appointed leaders in the name of Christ.

Pursuing the wise life may result in temporal benefits but will not secure any lasting good; so live wisely but turn to Christ.

The pursuit of the good life will only leave you empty, exasperated, and exhausted; so pursue Christ instead, in whom alone are all the treasures of true wisdom.

Paragraph 1 The covenant of works being broken by sin, and made unprofitable unto life, God was pleased to give forth the promise of Christ, the seed of the woman, as the means of calling the elect, and begetting in them faith and repentance;1 in this promise the gospel, as to the substance of it, was revealed, and [is] therein effectual for the conversion and salvation of sinners.2 1 Gen. 3:15 2 Rev. 13:8 — Paragraph 2 This promise of Christ, and salvation by him, is revealed only by the Word of God;3 neither do the works of creation or providence, with the light of nature, make discovery of Christ, or of grace by him, so much as in a general or obscure way;4 much less that men destitute of the revelation of Him by the promise or gospel, should be enabled thereby to attain saving faith or repentance.5 3 Rom. 1;17 4 Rom. 10:14–15,17 5 Prov. 29:18; Isa. 25:7; 60:2–3 —

God has afflicted mankind with the griefs of life to turn our hearts back to Him in humility by upending our illusion that human endeavor can overcome the curse.

— Paragraph 3 Besides this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits;6 and partly holding forth divers instructions of moral duties,7 all which ceremonial laws being appointed only to the time of reformation, are, by Jesus Christ the true Messiah and only law-giver, who was furnished with power from the Father for that end abrogated and taken away.8 6 Heb. 10:1; Col. 2:17 7 1 Cor. 5:7 8 Col. 2:14,16–17; Eph. 2:14,16 — Paragraph 4 To them also he gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together with the state of that people, not obliging any now by virtue of that institution; their general equity only being of moral use.9 9 1 Cor. 9:8–10 — Paragraph 5 The moral law does for ever bind all, as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof,10 and that not only in regard of the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the authority of God the Creator, who gave it;11 neither does Christ in the Gospel any way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation.12 10 Rom. 13:8–10; James 2:8,10–12 11 James 2:10–11 12 Matt. 5:17–19; Rom. 3:31

Considered apart from the LORD, all things are wearisome and frustrating and have no lasting remembrance; but God promises justice and joy to all who fear and love Him.

Life in this broken world is a confusing mess that cannot be understood or controlled by human wisdom, but by faith we can learn to be joyfully content with our portion in it and to use what we are given for worship.

Of the Law of God Chapter 19 — Paragraph 1 God gave to Adam a law of universal obedience written in his heart, and a particular precept of not eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil;1 by which he bound him and all his posterity to personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience;2 promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of it, and endued him with power and ability to keep it.3 1 Gen. 1:27; Eccles. 7:29 2 Rom. 10:5 3 Gal. 3:10,12 — Paragraph 2 The same law that was first written in the heart of man continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness after the fall,4 and was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten commandments, and written in two tables, the four first containing our duty towards God, and the other six, our duty to man.5 4 Rom. 2:14–15 5 Deut. 10:4

Though His own people were appalled by His gruesome death, yet by it the LORD's Servant was highly exalted and brought salvation to the nations.

NO HANDOUT PROVIDED God's Sovereignty in everything that happens. God's Long Suffering with sinful people The folly of the Israelites pre-occupation with false gods.

— Paragraph 3 The Lord Jesus, in His human nature thus united to the divine, in the person of the Son, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit above measure,13 having in Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge;14 in whom it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell,15 to the end that being holy, harmless, undefiled,16 and full of grace and truth,17 He might be throughly furnished to execute the office of mediator and surety;18 which office He took not upon himself, but was thereunto called by His Father;19 who also put all power and judgement in His hand, and gave Him commandment to execute the same.20 13 Ps. 45:7; Acts 10:38; John 3:34 14 Col. 2:3 15 Col. 1:19 16 Heb. 7:26 17 John 1:14 18 Heb. 7:22 19 Heb. 5:5 20 John 5:22,27; Matt. 28:18; Acts 2:36 — Paragraph 4 This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake,21 which that He might discharge He was made under the law,22 and did perfectly fulfill it, and underwent the punishment due to us, which we should have born and suffered,23 being made sin and a curse for us;24 enduring most grievous sorrows in His soul, and most painful sufferings in His body;25 was crucified, and died, and remained in the state of the dead, yet saw no corruption:26 on the third day He arose from the dead27 with the same body in which He suffered,28 with which He also ascended into heaven,29 and there sits at the right hand of His Father making intercession,30 and shall return to judge men and angels at the end of the world.31 21 Ps. 40:7–8; Heb. 10:5–10; John 10:18 22 Gal 4:4; Matt. 3:15 23 Gal. 3:13; Isa. 53:6; 1 Pet. 3:18 24 2 Cor. 5:21 25 Matt. 26:37,38; Luke 22:44; Matt. 27:46 26 Acts 13:37 27 1 Cor. 15:3–4 28 John 20:25,27 29 Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9–11 30 Rom. 8:34; Heb. 9:24 31 Acts 10:42; Rom. 14:9–10; Acts 1:11; 2 Pet. 2:4

The Big Idea – Our burden of Sin is only resolved through confession and our redemption. When the burden is lifted, it inspires the righteous and upright to profound joy and goodness.

Those who are in Christ have been moved from the realm of sin and death to the realm of the spirit of life.

The LORD expects married couples to honor their marital covenant as the most important human bond and to prioritize their marriage over all other human relationships.

Chapter 17 Paragraph 1 Those whom God has accepted in the beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, and given the precious faith of his elect unto, can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved, seeing the gifts and callings of God are without repentance, from which source he still begets and nourishes in them faith, repentance, love, joy, hope, and all the graces of the Spirit unto immortality;1 and though many storms and floods arise and beat against them, yet they shall never be able to take them off that foundation and rock which by faith they are fastened upon; notwithstanding, through unbelief and the temptations of Satan, the sensible sight of the light and love of God may for a time be clouded and obscured from them,2 yet he is still the same, and they shall be sure to be kept by the power of God unto salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased possession, they being engraved upon the palm of his hands, and their names having been written in the book of life from all eternity.3 1 John 10:28,29; Phil. 1:6; 2 Tim. 2:19; 1 John 2:19 2 Ps. 89:31–32; 1 Cor. 11:32 3 Mal. 3:6

Nothing is more important than to believe that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised again on the third day in fulfillment of the Scriptures.

Sermon was authored by our Associate Pastor Candidate Josh Coleman. Josh was affirmed by our body on April 13, 2025, and has accepted the call to minister here. He and his family will move to Kearney in late summer. Accurate thoughts about the character of God and the works of God are the greatest defense against evil desires and the greatest motivation toward the pursuit of Holiness. No outline or slides provided for today's message

No Handout today

True satisfaction and fulfillment can only be found in the Lord, by seeking Him first and by finding delight in Him above all.

The LORD's just judgment of Zedekiah and idolatrous Judah vindicated Jeremiah as a true prophet, and Jehoiachin's restoration prefigured the LORD's merciful kindness granted to us in Christ.

Paragraph 5 We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin or eternal life at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come, and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom by them we can neither profit nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins;14 but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants; and because they are good they proceed from his Spirit,15 and as they are wrought by us they are defiled and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection, that they cannot endure the severity of God's punishment.16 14 Rom. 3:20; Eph. 2:8–9; Rom. 4:6 15 Gal. 5:22–23 16 Isa. 64:6; Ps. 43:2 — Paragraph 6 Yet notwithstanding the persons of believers being accepted through Christ, their good works also are accepted in him;17 not as though they were in this life wholly unblamable and unreprovable in God's sight, but that he, looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere, although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections.18 17 Eph. 1:5; 1 Pet. 1:5 18 Matt. 25:21,23; Heb. 6:10 — Paragraph 7 Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and to others;19 yet because they proceed not from a heart purified by faith,20 nor are done in a right manner according to the Word,21 nor to a right end, the glory of God,22 they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God, nor make a man meet to receive the grace from God,23 and yet their neglect for them is more sinful and displeasing to God.24 19 2 Kings 10:30; 1 Kings 21:27,29 20 Gen. 4:5; Heb. 11:4,6 21 1 Cor. 13:1 22 Matt. 6:2,5 23 Amos 5:21–22; Rom. 9:16; Titus 3:5 24 Job 21:14–15; Matt. 25:41–43

The LORD is near to His people and will surely save them no matter their circumstances, and He will bring them safely home by keeping them under His loving discipline.

— Paragraph 2 These good works, done in obedience to God's commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith;3 and by them believers manifest their thankfulness,4 strengthen their assurance,5 edify their brethren, adorn the profession of the gospel,6 stop the mouths of the adversaries, and glorify God,7 whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto,8 that having their fruit unto holiness they may have the end eternal life.9 3 James 2:18,22 4 Ps. 116:12–13 5 1 John 2:3,5; 2 Pet. 1:5–11 6 Matt. 5:16 7 1 Tim. 6:1; 1 Pet. 2:15; Phil. 1:11 8 Eph. 2:10 9 Rom 6:22 — Paragraph 3 Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ;10 and that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is necessary an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them to will and to do of his good pleasure;11 yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit, but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.12 10 John 15:4–5 11 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 2:13 12 Phil. 2:12; Heb. 6:11–12; Isa. 64:7 — Paragraph 4 They who in their obedience attain to the greatest height which is possible in this life, are so far from being able to supererogate, and to do more than God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do.13 13 Job 9:2–3; Gal. 5:17; Luke 17:10 —

The LORD alone is God and King over all the nations, and He will rightly judge those who will not trust in Him but will save those who love Him.

— Paragraph 1 Good works are only such as God has commanded in his Holy Word,1 and not such as without the warrant thereof are devised by men out of blind zeal, or upon any pretense of good intentions.2 1 Mic. 6:8; Heb. 13:21 2 Matt. 15:9; Isa. 29:13

The LORD is gracious and kind to His servants even when they need His correction and consolation.