Tag Archives: sermons

Run Pt. 4

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I know it has been a few days since I posted the last transcript of the sermon Run but in my defense I have been running pretty fast this last week.

Anyway if you need to catch up:

PT.1 IS HERE

PT. 2 IS HERE

AND PT. 3 IS HERE

NOW HERE IS PT. 4

It was mentioned Run Pt. 3 that some people run away from life and its battles. They withdraw. Hide. While that is true it is not the only way people run. Some people don’t run away. They run to battle. They are like Peter in the Garden of Gethsemene

John 18 relates the story: “When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.

2Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

4Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”

5“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

7Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.

8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”a

10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

11Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

In Matthew 26:52 Jesus is recorded as saying these words at that event, “…all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53

As Christians many of us are engaging in the battle We use Facebook to belittle political candidates we do not like. We use profanity and disparage people we don’t like We take a fighting stance all to defend out rights that we think are being stripped away from us as though we think God’s kingdom is a Democracy that requires our action or our voice to defend it.

The problem with both running away and running into battle is that both focus on the problems we face and upon our ability to solve those problems while discounting God’s actions as though God is not capable of solving our issues for us.

God’s word doesn’t call us to run away or to run to battle. God’s Word tells us to run to God and nowhere else.

Run Pt. 3

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We have been going through Sunday’s sermon at Cornerstone, entitled “Run”, point by point.

If you missed Pt. 1 find it HERE.

If you missed Pt. 2 you can find that HERE.

Here is Pt. 3

We finished yesterday asking, “So what are some ways that people run?”

 Some people “run away.”

Listen, we all know the world is getting dark: The United Kingdom just voted to leave the EU and the world is speculating what the future of that alliance is; Refugees continue to stream in to Europe from Syria and the Middle East sparking controversy about terrorism; Shootings across our country have us questioning the Constitution itself; The upcoming elections have our country more divided than any other time in history since the Civil War; The church itself seems threatened by political pressure from the outside and unbelief from the inside.

In light of such circumstances Psalm 11 asks, “When the foundations are being destroyed,what can the righteous do?”

Some would say the answer is just to run away or withdraw from society; Stock up on food; Stock up on fuel; Arm your sons and hide your daughters; Flee to the mountains! Withdraw from society.

That is what some people say is the answer. But is it the Christian answer?

Run Pt. 2

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Today we are continuing with another excerpt from Sunday’s sermon at Cornerstone entitled Run.

If you missed Pt. 1, it can be found HERE.

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Let’s begin today’s excerpt by revisiting our opening Scripture.

Psalm 11

In the Lord I take refuge.

How then can you say to me:

“Flee like a bird to your mountain.

2For look, the wicked bend their bows;

they set their arrows against the strings

to shoot from the shadows

at the upright in heart.

3When the foundations are being destroyed,

what can the righteous do?”

4The Lord is in his holy temple;

the Lord is on his heavenly throne.

He observes everyone on earth;

his eyes examine them.

5The Lord examines the righteous,

but the wicked, those who love violence,

he hates with a passion.

6On the wicked he will rain

fiery coals and burning sulfur;

a scorching wind will be their lot.

7For the Lord is righteous,

he loves justice;

the upright will see his face.

I think the first thing we have to recognize is that society encourages us to live our lives running. How many of you feel like life just makes you run all the time? How many of you find yourself getting tired of running sometimes?

Can I suggest here that maybe it is not the running that is the problem but the way we are running?

Isaiah 40 :31 helps to understand this when it says…

“They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall RUN AND NOT GROW WEARY THEY SHALL WALK AND NOT FAINT.”

The problem is not in the running, then. It is in how we run.

So what are some ways that people run?

More tomorrow!

You’re Part Of the Conspiracy Pt. 6

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Photo by Deb Maciorowski

This is the final installment of our series transcript from last Sunday’s sermon at Cornerstone. If you have missed any of the previous installments they can be found HERE.

Here is our conclusion to the discussion.

The final step towards becoming the church God desires for this time belongs to a group of people called the elders. This is once again from the word I received a week ago.

Elders you are called to mentor a generation in a Pentecost they have never seen, known or experienced. I summon you to bear witness of the times you recall that a new generation may know the way.

You may be old. You may be tired. But if you have seen the past moves of Pentecost in the healing revivals of the 50’s, the Charismatic renewal of the 70’s or the worship revivals of the 80’s 90’s and early millenium, then you must dig back and speak to the power of miracle that you have witnessed because there are little children and young men and women in this church who have never witnessed the power of a move of God.When it comes they won’t understand or know how to tell the real from the fake, the charlatans from legitimate or the wild fire from the Holy fire. You, elders, are being called to speak for them and to them unafraid and undeterred, helping the church to chew the meat of revival and spit out the bones without complaining or creating dissension or fostering unbelief.

Everyone of us who consider ourselves part of the church have a step or a part to play in the revival to come. What is your step?

1.Do you need to be born again? Have you asked Jesus to be your Savior and have you made Him God of your life? Jesus won’t be just a Savior. If He is to save you then He has to be boss of your life too. Have you asked Him to be both? If not then you are not born again yet. If you need to be born again by accepting Jesus as Lord and savior. Hero and boss then  pray the prayer found HERE from your heart

2. Do you need to ask God’s help to clean up your act Christian? Are there things you need Jesus to help you fix in your life so that you don’t get burned when the fire of revival comes into the church?

3. Do you need power from on high to help you perform the work God wants you to do? Then Jesus says you need the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Don’t worry about what all that means right now just acknowledge that whatever the baptism in the Holy Spirit is you need it because Jesus says you do.

4.Are you someone who has been in Pentecost for a long time? Have you seen the Holy Spirit move in revival before? Then acknowledge your role in helping those who haven’t seen.

I would love to hear more about the step you are on in the conspiracy!

You’re Part Of the Conspiracy Pt. 4

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This series is a transcript of the most recent sermon I shared at Cornerstone Church. Yesterday we concluded with Scriptures that asserted the need for every person to put their faith in Christ to forgive their sins and cause them to be born again. If you read that and have been thinking that you need to be born again, let’s stop before we go one word further and pray for that.

Pray with me: Dear Lord Jesus. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Thank you for rising from the dead to break the power death has over me. Lord I know I need to be born again and in order for that to happen I need to believe in you and make you the God of my life. Lord Jesus I do believe in you and ask you to forgive my sins and I give you my life. You are my only God. I will follow you from now on. Thank you for forgiving me and causing me to be born again so that I might live for eternity with You.  Amen!

Now if you just prayed that prayer and meant it you are born again. Please message me in the comments section below so that we can begin a conversation about next steps.

If you have missed any of our previous conversations in this series they can be found HERE.

 

As we stated yesterday, being Born Again is the first step. It is saying yes to being part of the conspiracy. But remember I said there were four parts to being part of the conspiracy. Part two is about living Holy.

Little children you must be clean that my fire does not burn you up. (reference Pt. 2 for whole prophecy)

We must choose, once we are born again, to leave our sin behind. We are praying for a move of God. In Scripture the move is sometimes referred to as fire of God . That fire will burn up everything that is not holy when it comes even if that something is us. Revival is nothing to be trifled with. It is the move of God, and for the church’s part it requires right living.

For instance, in Scripture we read:

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

7The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen…. 17For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God I Peter 4:1-11,17

In another place Paul, the apostle wrote, “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved usa and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. 3Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.6Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.” Ephesians 5:2-9

Listen to me, this is not a word of condemnation. It is a word of encouragement. God isn’t saying “Because some of these things are in your life you are not good enough for My plan.”

He is saying, “I have already determined that you are good enough for my plan. I want you to be a part of my plan but in order for you to be a part you must get rid of these things and I will help you. If anything on this list pertains to you God is crying out to you. Let’s fix it together so that you are ready when I move in power.”

Come back tomorrow for part 5.

You’re Part Of the Conspiracy Pt. 2

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We are continuing today with the transcript from Sunday’s sermon YOU’RE PART OF THE CONSPIRACY. If you missed part 1 you have only to click on the underlined link and you can catch up there.

Here is Pt. 2

Last week God gave me a prophetic word during second service concerning our involvement in this plan. The word went something like this:

The Lord says I am raising up a generation in these last days and I speak to it. It is not a generation of age or years but a generation of dedication. I speak to it in total not in part, to every age, not a portion or age group.

I speak to you little children for you have just come to know My Son and there is a great journey ahead of you, but I have given you strength for it.

I speak to you young men for you have overcome the evil one but there is much more for you to do. There is much more for you to overcome and you are just coming into your strength.

I speak to you elders and fathers for I am not finished with you yet.

I am about to fall in fire again. Little children you must be clean that my fire does not burn you up. Young men you must prepare that you may harness my fire and use it to light the darkness. Elders you are called to mentor a generation in a Pentecost they have never seen, known or experienced. I summon you to bear witness of the times you recall that a new generation may know the way.

This fire will inconvenience you. It will be uncomfortable. It will be as it was in the past when it cost your forefathers everything to bear the light, but they paid the price so that my Son’s name would be known.

You must not say I am too young or too busy or too old. For I am calling those who are too young and too busy and too old to put aside their youth and their schedules and their age that one last time my Son’s name will be made great in the Earth before the judgment.

Will this be the church? Will this be the generation who answers my call?

Well if we will there are four ways we must answer the call…More tomorrow!

You’re Part Of the Conspiracy Pt. 1

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I was given the privilege of sharing the morning message this last Sunday at Cornerstone Church. What follows is a transcript of part of that sermon and some photos of the service taken by our own Steven Hackett.

 

You’re Part Of the Conspiracy

Our lead pastor, Pastor Risto began a new series when last he preached and will be continuing that series through until Easter. The series is entitled “The Conspiracy Of Love”.

You know there are lots of conspiracy theories out there. Theories that say this group or that group is secretly trying to take over the world. Theories that purport that moments in history like the assassination of JFK or the Fall of the Berlin Wall were all part of some hidden master plan for some shadow government to rule the world.

By and large we make fun of those conspiracy theories and of those who hold to them. But I am here to tell you there really is a grand conspiracy. There really is a secret plan to take over the world and God is at the heart of that plan. Jesus is at the heart of that plan. Heaven really is trying to take over the world. Fully 6,000,000,000 people on the face of the planet know nothing about this plan or think it’s just an urban legend but I have news for them. The plan is real and further God has a plan to make you, yes you, a part of the conspiracy.

Listen to these Scriptures that speak about God’s master plan. His conspiracy of love.

“But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him

and cause him grief.

Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,

he will have many descendants.

He will enjoy a long life,

and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.

11When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,

he will be satisfied.

And because of his experience,

my righteous servant will make it possible

for many to be counted righteous,

for he will bear all their sins.” Isaiah 53:10,11

 

Paul the Apostle wrote this next bit:

“We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen,     what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”[b]—     the things God has prepared for those who love him—

10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 1:6-10

He also penned this verse:

“Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus….9and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 3:2-10

You see Scripture reveals that:

  1. God has always had a master plan.
  2. That plan was to save mankind and restore His relationship with man and His Kingdom in the world.
  3. He kept that plan hidden for ages and has been working behind the scenes with His agents to bring that plan to pass ( a conspiracy)
  4. That plan from the beginning was for Jesus to die for our sins
  5. That plan was to create the church and through it to tear down the Kingdom of Satan.
  6. That plan involves you and me if we accept the mission.

We will discuss this more tomorrow. I’d love to hear your thoughts

Pastor Wrinkle’s Sunday Morning Review 2-7-16

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Services at Cornerstone have been so awesome lately I wanted to start doing a quick recap of the points from the sermons.

This week Pastor Risto spoke on the topic “Submitting to God’s plan for you life.”

Photo by: Steven Hackett

Here are some of the points the Spirit dropped into my heart as I listened.

26In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.28The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with GodYou will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.37For no word from God will ever fail.” 38“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1: 26-38 Our Opening Scripture

“We are called to live the life God has prepared for us. SUBMIT TO THE PLAN.”

Photo by Steven Hackett

There’s nothing like an angel to mess up your day-Barry Risto Luke 1:26-34

Sometimes serving God can be a painful privilege. -Barry Risto

Believe the word of God spoken…even though you don’t know where that might take you. .. it will be beyond your wildest dreams.

Submission to God may take us down far deeper paths than we think. .. But wait until you see what it will produce. -Barry Risto

God doesn’t call us to live safe lives. -Barry Risto

God is preparing you for the things He has prepared for you.

Photo by: Steven Hackett

Is there a difference between your plan and God’s plan for your life?

Reacting to things is often our flesh. Responding to things is of the Spirit. We are called to be responders not reactors. -Barry Risto

Photo by: Steven Hackett

Responders save lives. Reactors melt down and blow up. Be a first responder.

God’s plan always involves a journey so buckle in!

Which quote or point is your favorite?

The Road Through Romans: The Takers

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100_5431Romans 1:5 reads,”Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.”

You know so many people view Christianity as an inherited religion. They believe they are Christians because their mother or their father was a Christian, or because their “Gramma was Catholic”.

THAT IS SO WRONG!

Christianity is not an inherited trait! It is a conscious decision. You don’t catch Christianity by being in close proximity to other Christians, like you catch a cold. You don’t get Christianity from your parents like you got your blue eyes or curly hair. Christianity is a personal decision to  receive the promises of God through Jesus Christ’s work on the cross and in the resurrection.

Paul says “Through him we received”.  Now that translation may be a little deceiving, because in our culture we consider receiving something as a passive activity. We receive the mail and we receive gifts. We don’t do anything to earn the mail. It just shows up in our mailbox. We don’t do anything to receive a Christmas present. We wake up Christmas morning and it is under the tree.

Well in one sense that is what Paul meant when he said “we received”, but the word in the Greek has a deeper meaning. Receiving as Paul meant it was an active verb not a passive word. The word is “lambanō” and it means, “to take with the hand, lay hold of, any person or thing in order to use it”.

Jerry Harris, one of the elders in our church likes to teach it this way, “You can receive a gift but before it really becomes yours you have to open it up.”

I would go a step further and say if a gift is really to become yours you have to use it for its intended purpose. It’s like this. Let’s say you get a new shirt at Christmas. Even if you unwrap it, and  then take it out of the box, if you then hang it in your closet never to be worn is that shirt really yours?

This is what many people are doing with their Christianity. They were there when it was offered. They accepted the gift. But then they took it and hid it away never to be seen except on special occasions. They are like the servant who received one talent in the parable Jesus told.

“Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’

26 “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, 27 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’

28 “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Ma. 25:24-30

Can I encourage you, if your Christianity is in the closet today take it out, dust it off and start living it in real time. Anything else is a big waste of faith.

If you have missed any of our discussions on the Book of Romans they can be found on THE ROAD THROUGH ROMANS PAGE.