Cornerstone Video Podcast

Hannah Buchanan

Rev. Matt Tuggle

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Jesus says not to worry. The apostle Paul doubles down on that. But why? Worry is such a part of so many of our lives that Jesus’ and Paul’s words seem like inspirational platitudes rather than achievable ideals. In a world wrought with reason for worry, why should we not worry? In Matthew 6, Jesus addresses worry by reminding us of God’s care for creation. He points to the birds of the air and the lilies of the field as examples of God’s provision, asking us to consider how much more God cares for us. Jesus is not suggesting that we have no legitimate concerns or that everything will always work out the way we want. Instead, he invites us to recognize that the Creator of the universe knows us and values us. Because we are known and loved by God, we do not have to face our fears as though everything depends on us alone. Jesus connects worry to faith, not simply as a belief that God exists but as a deep trust in God’s character and faithful

Hannah Buchanan

Rev. Dr. Abe Smith

Rev. Matt Tuggle

Rev. Dr. Abe Smith

Hannah Buchanan

Hannah Buchanan

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Jesus saw the people who sat with him on the hillside as “the light of the world.” They were meant to reflect Jesus’ light in the world around them. What was true for those who heard Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount first is true for those of us who hear it today: Jesus sees us as “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). In this sermon, we’ll look at some of the practical examples Jesus gives. The topics covered first by Jesus include anger, marriage, promises, retaliation, and dealing with enemies. Jesus has clear thoughts and straightforward direction on how to live our lives in a way that reflects his love and light. As we continue in the Sermon on the Mount, we see how Jesus animates righteousness and teaches and encourages us to do the same. As we continue to build good lives on the solid foundation of the person and teachings of Jesus, our look at the second half of Matthew 5 is an important stop! We are given clear, practical guidance on

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 t

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. Je

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Every preacher is playing for second place. The greatest sermon ever preached was delivered by the greatest preacher who ever lived. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) has shaped history, influenced cultures, and continues to transform lives today.  Many of Jesus' most famous teachings come from these three chapters: being the salt of the earth, a city on a hill, loving our enemies, and treating others as we want to be treated. Yet before Jesus teaches people how to live, he begins somewhere even more important. When Jesus sat down on a hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee and began to speak, he saw a diverse and often overlooked crowd. They’d heard the world declare who was blessed: the wealthy, powerful, healthy, and successful. Jesus turned those expectations upside down. He announced that the poor in spirit, the mourning, the meek, and the struggling were the blessed ones, not because of their circumstances, but because they were

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 J

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 en

Hannah Buchanan | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Throughout Scripture, God calls ordinary people by name and invites them into His purposes. Abraham was called to leave what was familiar. Moses was called to confront Pharaoh. Samuel was called as a child. Esther was called to risk her position for the sake of her people. Jesus invited the disciples to follow him, and that same invitation extends to us today.  Following Jesus means more than believing the right things or checking a box. It means becoming attentive to where Jesus is already at work and being willing to join him. Sometimes that means a major decision; sometimes it means a simple act of obedience. The challenge is learning to hear God's voice in the midst of the noise of our lives. We may hear from God through Scripture, prayer, silence, or the wisdom of a trusted friend or spiritual mentor to help us recognize His leading. We don't have to know the entire path before taking the next faithful step. Ultimately, God’s call is a

Alex Johnston