Cornerstone Video Podcast

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Who are you?  Once we move beyond the polite answers such as our names, occupations, accomplishments, or even our collegiate football allegiances, the question becomes much more personal. It's a question many of us struggle to answer. Yet at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers a remarkable response.  Speaking to an ordinary, ragtag crowd gathered on a hillside, he tells them, "You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). What was true for them is still true for us today. Using the images of a city on a hill and a lamp on a stand, Jesus teaches that God's people are meant to reflect His light into the world. Just as the lights of a city shine far beyond its borders, what God is doing in our lives reaches far beyond us. The way we live becomes a witness to others, revealing God's character and love.  This passage challenges us to stay focused on what God has placed before us rather than becoming distracted by the many things competing for our attention. As we fix our eyes on Christ and allow him to transform us, our lives become a light that impacts others in ways we may never fully see.  If you've ever wondered, who am I? Jesus' answer is both simple and profound: You are the light of the world and a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.

Hannah Buchanan

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. When we read the Beatitudes, it is easy to miss how radical Jesus' words really are. Many of us have heard them so often that they sound familiar, but to Jesus' first audience, they would have seemed completely upside down. In a world where power, strength, status, and success appeared to determine who won and who lost, Jesus declared that the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers, and even the persecuted were blessed. His vision of life stood in sharp contrast to both the values of the Roman Empire and the assumptions of everyday people. This week's sermon invites us to consider whether Jesus is actually the one who sees reality correctly. If Jesus is truly the Son of God, then his teachings are not simply good advice; they are the words of the one who understands life better than anyone else. What appears upside down to us may actually be right side up, while the values of the world may be the ones that are inverted. Jesus calls us to trust his authority even when his teachings challenge our instincts or seem impractical. Most importantly, Jesus did not merely teach this way of life; he embodied it. He lived out the Beatitudes through his humility, mercy, righteousness, peacemaking, suffering, death, and resurrection. Because Jesus lived the life he calls us to live, he invites us to follow him into the upside-down kingdom that may not always make sense to the world but ultimately bears the fruit of a more abundant life. As we grow in faith and trust that God is with us, we are invited to embrace his way and allow him to transform us from the inside out.

Rev. Matt Tuggle

Hannah Buchanan

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. This year we are beginning a journey called “Blueprint: Building Lives of Faith, Hope, and Love.” We all want lives that are steady, resilient, and able to withstand life's challenges. Jesus teaches that this kind of life is built on a solid foundation. When our lives are founded in him, we can stand firm even when storms come. The challenge is that many things compete for that foundation: money, power, pleasure, reputation, and control. Yet Jesus says that true stability comes not from simply hearing his words, but from putting them into practice. Through sermons and Bible studies, we learn God's teachings, but transformation happens when those teachings shape the way we live each day. C.S. Lewis paints a beautiful picture of this process, describing God as a builder transforming a small cottage into a palace, "running up towers" and creating something greater than we could ever imagine. That is God's desire for each of us. As we follow Jesus and put his teachings into action, God is growing in us the three things that last: faith, hope, and love. Our prayer is that by the end of this series, we will look back and see that we have grown in faith, become more marked by hope, and learned to love God and others more deeply.

Hannah Buchanan

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. For many of us, the fall season brings its own sense of renewal. New schedules, routines, and rhythms create opportunities to reflect on where we are and where we want to grow. As we begin a new school year, Philippians 1:6 reminds us that God is always at work. Long before we were aware of it, God was pursuing us through His grace, and He continues that work today.  In the Wesleyan tradition, prevenient grace reminds us that God knew and loved us before we knew Him, justifying grace assures us of forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and sanctifying grace points to God's ongoing work of transformation and healing in our lives. God is not finished with us, and the good work He has begun is still unfolding. This promise is not only personal but communal. God is at work in us and among us, shaping His church and inviting us to participate in His mission. As we journey together this year, we are called to build our lives around the things that endure: faith, hope, and love.  These virtues are both gifts of God's grace and markers of spiritual growth. As we follow Christ together, we can trust that the God who began a good work in us will faithfully carry it to completion.

Hannah Buchanan

Alex Johnston | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. We all long for meaningful connection, yet many of us struggle to find it. While loneliness has become increasingly common, the problem is not always a lack of opportunity for community but misconceptions about how community is formed. This week's sermon challenged three myths that often keep us disconnected. First, community is not something we simply find. Instead, it is something we build through intentional time, consistency, and sacrifice.  Second, community is not always easy. Real relationships involve disappointment, forgiveness, and the willingness to work through differences.  Third, the most meaningful relationships are not always with people who are just like us. God often uses people from different backgrounds, generations, and experiences to shape and grow us.  Community does not have to match our idealized expectations to be valuable. God provides different layers of connection, from belonging to a larger church family to cultivating a few trusted confidants. The good news is that Christian community is not about finding perfect people or perfect circumstances. It is about committing to one another, bearing with one another, and allowing God to form us into the image of Christ together.  

Rev. Dr. Abe Smith | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Expectations shape how we experience life. When reality matches what we hoped for, we often feel satisfied. When it doesn't, disappointment, frustration, and even suffering can follow. In Matthew 16, Peter correctly identifies Jesus as the Messiah, yet moments later rebukes him for talking about suffering and death. Peter wasn't confused about who Jesus was; he was struggling because Jesus wasn't meeting his expectations. He wanted a Messiah who would bring immediate victory and change, while Jesus modeled a path of sacrifice and the cross. This sermon reminds us that unmet expectations often reveal deeper desires for control, approval, comfort, security, or validation. When our expectations become requirements for our happiness, they can rob us of joy and peace. Jesus invites us to a different way of living centered not on controlling outcomes but on following him. As we focus less on the gaps between our expectations and reality and more on God's presence and gifts, we discover that true life is found when we release our expectations and follow Jesus.

Hannah Buchanan

Rev. Billy Rainey | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide At the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus stands in the synagogue and reads from Isaiah 61, proclaiming good news to the poor, freedom for captives, sight for the blind, and liberty for the oppressed. Then, he makes a startling declaration: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). In that moment, Jesus announces that God's promised kingdom has arrived in and through him. The good news is more than forgiveness of sins or the promise of heaven after death, though it certainly includes both. The good news is that through Jesus, the kingdom of God has broken into our world. God's reign is bringing healing, restoration, justice, peace, and hope to a broken creation. Jesus invites us to live in the tension of the "already and not yet": the kingdom is present now, but it has not yet come in its fullness. As followers of Christ, we are called to be people of living hope, acknowledging the brokenness around us while refusing to let it define us. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we participate in God's work of bringing glimpses of His kingdom into the world through acts of love, mercy, justice, and faithfulness.

Hannah Buchanan | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. One of the greatest challenges in any relationship is that we all have blind spots, those things others can see about us that we cannot see about ourselves. Like a driver who fails to check a blind spot before changing lanes, our unseen attitudes, habits, assumptions, and behaviors can lead to costly collisions in our relationships with God and others. In 2 Samuel 12, King David is confronted by the prophet Nathan after David's sin with Bathsheba and Uriah. David could clearly see the injustice in Nathan's story about a rich man stealing a poor man's lamb, but he could not see the same injustice in his own life until Nathan declared, “You are the man” (2 Samuel 12:7). David's willingness to listen, repent, and return to God became a turning point in his story. The sermon reminds us that growth requires humility. We need trusted people who love us enough to tell us the truth, and we need the courage to receive that truth. Ultimately, Jesus is our "true mirror." As we fix our eyes on him through Scripture, prayer, and community, he reveals both who we were created to be and the areas where we need transformation.

Hannah Buchanan | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide No matter how carefully we plan our lives, there are moments that force us onto unexpected detours. Financial struggles, broken relationships, grief, illness, disappointment, and unanswered questions can leave us feeling lost and overwhelmed. Joseph's story is one of the clearest examples of this reality. At 17, Joseph's life seemed full of promise. Yet he was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, imprisoned, and forgotten. For 13 years, Joseph endured one breakdown after another. Throughout the story, however, one truth is repeated: "The Lord was with Joseph." God's presence did not remove Joseph's suffering, but it sustained him through it. Over time, Joseph's suffering became a place where God formed humility, faithfulness, courage, and compassion within him. The story's redemption extends beyond Joseph. God also works in the lives of Joseph's brothers, the very people who caused his suffering. Through grace and forgiveness, God restores a broken family and brings healing where there had been betrayal and guilt. Ultimately, Joseph's story points us to Jesus, the God who enters our suffering rather than remaining distant from it. Because of Christ's death and resurrection, we can trust that our breakdowns are not the end of the story.

Hannah Buchanan & Rev. Paul Rasmussen

Hannah Buchanan

Hannah Buchanan

Alex Johnston

Rev. Billy Rainey

Rev. Chelsea Peddecord | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. In James 1:2-4, James writes to believers facing persecution, division, and hardship and tells them to “consider it joy” when they face trials. He is not saying suffering is enjoyable, but that God can use trials to build endurance and deepen our faith. Just like an athlete develops strength through training, spiritual endurance is formed when we continue trusting God through difficult seasons. The Christian life is a journey of endurance through both joy and suffering. Scripture reminds us that God is faithful in every season, even when life feels painful, uncertain, or overwhelming. Job endured by continuing to bring his honest prayers to God, and Joseph endured long seasons of hardship before seeing God bring redemption from it. The good news of the Gospel is that suffering is never the end of the story. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the support of the church, God gives us strength to keep taking the next step of faith. Endurance leads to resurrection. To build endurance, we must keep trusting, keep praying, and keep moving forward, knowing that God is still at work bringing hope, healing, and new life.

Rev. Matt Tuggle

Hannah Buchanan

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide In 2 Timothy 1:1-7, Paul reflects on the sincere and genuine faith that shaped Timothy's life, which was first seen in his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice. Their faith was not merely talked about; it was consistently lived out in everyday life. This week's message reminds us that our faith is often formed by the people who surround us and the generations that come before us. The faith modeled for us frequently becomes the faith we embrace ourselves. Paul points to the influence of Scripture and the example of faithful family members in helping Timothy develop a real and lasting faith. But he also challenges Timothy to take ownership of that faith by “fanning into flame” the gift God placed within him. Faith cannot remain borrowed from someone else. It must be nurtured personally and continually renewed. The passage closes with a reminder that God does not lead His people through fear but through power, love, and self-discipline. As we grow in authentic faith, we are called not only to receive the gift of faith from others but also to live in a way that passes it on to the next generation.  

Hannah Buchanan | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. This week's message from Colossians reminds us that the gospel is not just a set of beliefs but a way of life that transforms our everyday relationships. After describing how God has rescued us and brought us into a new kingdom through Jesus (Colossians 3:1-17), Paul shows what that reality looks like in the most ordinary and intimate areas of life: marriage, family, and work. While parts of the text may feel uncomfortable, especially around themes of submission and authority, the deeper message reveals a radical redefinition of power. Those with influence are called not to use it for control or self-gain but to lay it down for the good of others, reflecting the self-giving love of Jesus. This teaching plants the seeds for a more just, compassionate, and dignified way of relating to others, offering a vision for the kind of relational healing our world longs for. Practically speaking, following Jesus means allowing His love to reshape how we treat others by choosing humility, kindness, and sacrificial love in the places that matter most.

Rev. Dr. Abe Smith | Tap/click here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. In this week's sermon, we are reminded that what we “wear” spiritually matters far more than the clothes we put on physically. While outward appearance may shape how others see us, our inner identity shapes how we live, love, and treat people. Drawing from Colossians 3, Paul challenges believers to put off the old self: anger, greed, lust, malice, and selfishness—and instead put on the character of Christ: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and, above all, love. We learn that transformation does not begin with trying harder or becoming worthy enough for God. It begins with understanding that we are already deeply loved by God through Jesus Christ. When our identity is rooted in Christ rather than success, failure, approval, achievement, or past wounds, our lives begin to change from the inside out. The message also highlights how easy it is to live from our old selves; pain, insecurity, disappointment, shame, or unresolved wounds can shape how we respond to others. But through Christ, we are invited into a new identity. We no longer have to wear the old clothes of fear, anger, or striving. Instead, we can clothe ourselves in the love of Christ and allow that love to shape every relationship and interaction. Ultimately, the invitation is simple but life-changing: wear what matters most—love.

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. God's will is something we've all wrestled with at different points—whether we're facing a major life decision like a move or career change or simply trying to discern where we belong and how we should live day to day. We often approach these moments wondering if we're choosing what God has planned for us. But Colossians 1:9-14 reminds us that, while we may not always know every detail, God's will is not hidden from us. It is knowable, doable, and good. At its core, God's desire is to form us into people who love Him fully and love others deeply. And the good news is that God is not only guiding us—He is actively working within us, through His power, to make that kind of life possible. He understands the deepest desires of our hearts even better than we do, and His will is ultimately for our good and the good of others.

Hannah Buchanan | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. New things often bring both excitement and fear. Whether it's stepping into a new season, trying something unfamiliar, or sensing God's call, the unknown can feel overwhelming. Yet throughout Scripture, and in our own lives, God consistently invites us beyond comfort and into trust. This week's message reminds us that the life of a disciple is not about personal strength or ability but about trust and obedience. As followers of Jesus, we are called to step out in faith, obey his voice, and trust that he will hold us. In Matthew 28, the disciples encounter the risen Jesus. Some worship, while others doubt, providing a powerful reminder that faith and uncertainty often coexist. Despite their fear and lack of qualifications, Jesus gives them a mission: to go and make disciples. This calling wasn't reserved for the elite or the fearless; it was given to ordinary people willing to trust an extraordinary God. The same invitation extends to us today. As we go about our everyday lives at work, at home, and in our communities, we are called to live as disciples who reflect Jesus. And all the while, this promise remains: we are not alone; Jesus is with us always.

Rev. Matt Tuggle

Hannah Buchanan

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. What is the last thing you purchased for the purpose of improving your life? Every day, we encounter hundreds of proposals about how we should spend our money, time, and attention. Advertisements, products, and opportunities promise to make our lives better—healthier, happier, more successful, or more fulfilled. Each of these proposals asks us to run a kind of cost–benefit analysis: Is this worth it? Will this truly improve my life? Jesus offers a different kind of proposal. In Matthew 13:44, Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man discovers the treasure, he joyfully sells everything he owns in order to obtain it. Jesus is telling us that there is one thing worth everything. It is as valuable as buried treasure. It is like a precious pearl. The “it” Jesus is pointing to is life in the kingdom of God through discipleship to him. It is a life spent knowing Jesus, learning his ways, and becoming like him. The invitation of the parable is simple but profound: Consider the cost. Consider the benefit. Decide whether it is worth it. The life Jesus offers—one filled with love, joy, peace, and purpose—is the greatest treasure we could ever discover.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Jesus' parable of the mustard seed in Matthew 13:31–33 reveals that the kingdom of God often begins in ways that seem small, hidden, and insignificant but ultimately become transformative and far-reaching. Just as a seed absorbs water, soil, and light to become something new, Jesus' ministry began in the obscure village of Nazareth within the vast Roman Empire. What started small grew into a movement that outlasted empires and changed the world.  Jesus understood that his Father's kingdom is ever-expanding, and he continues this seed-like work in human hearts today—absorbing pain, shame, addiction, and sorrow and transforming them into hope, forgiveness, healing, and love. The central message is that the world changes one human heart at a time. Though individual lives may feel small and insignificant in the face of seemingly overwhelming global problems, God works through quiet, faithful transformation, turning surrendered hearts into catalysts for change in families, communities, and beyond.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Resolutions often fail because they demand an undefined, lifelong commitment; “forever” feels overwhelming. Lent, however, offers a grace-filled, 40-day invitation to intentional change. Rather than relying on sheer willpower, we lean on God's strength. It is a season of formation—a time to prepare for Easter by saying “yes” to what deepens our life with God and “no” to what distracts or diminishes it. At the heart of this week's message is Jesus' parable of the wheat and the weeds. A weed called darnel, also known as wheat's evil twin, looked like wheat at first but proved poisonous with its roots entangling and choking the crop. It mirrors our lives: the “weeds” we tolerate often seem harmless, even good, at first, but eventually entangle our hearts and harm others. Still, the field belongs to the Son of Man. Though good and evil grow side by side, Jesus continues planting “children of the kingdom,” marked by forgiveness, patience, grace, and truth. The parable then moves into the present. Jesus is still sowing good seed in our homes, workplaces, and communities, forming us to think and act in step with his heart. We are sent into the ordinary spaces of life as his representatives. The invitation for Lent is simple: let these 40 days be a season of growth. Ask God to expose the weeds and cultivate his fruit in you. His life sets the pattern, his death brings forgiveness, and his resurrection provides the power to change.

Clcik/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Following his baptism, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted (Matthew 4:1). There, he faces three temptations that engage the whole human person. First, Jesus is tempted in his body—the pull toward immediate physical satisfaction. Next, he is tempted in his mind—the subtle twisting of Scripture and the rationalizing of disobedience. Finally, he is tempted in his heart—offered a good and even noble end, authority over the world, but through the wrong means: worshiping something other than God. Each temptation strikes at Jesus' identity: “If you are the Son of God…” Yet Jesus does not respond with sheer willpower or clever debate. Instead, he draws from a deeply formed way of life. He is fueled by the Word of God, grounded in God's truth, and steadfastly committed to worship and service of God alone. When temptation presses on his body, mind, and heart, Jesus remains rooted in loving God fully—with heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). This portrait of Jesus shows us not only how temptation works but also how it can be resisted. We live inside this same “dome of temptation”—in our marriages, parenting, relationships, work, habits, and even within our thoughts.  Temptation is inevitable. But because of Jesus, victory is possible.