November 14, 2021
Today ➔
Good morning! If you’re joining us for the first time, welcome! We look forward to worshipping and fellowshipping with you this morning.
Today, Pastor Todd Nighswonger is launching our new sermon series, Thinking Rightly in a Broken World (you can find sermon notes & questions below)! We look forward to diving into what God’s Word says about stewarding our thoughts, perceptions, and ideas in such a way that is pleasing and glorifying to Him.
After service, we’ll have the pleasure of hearing from Cynthia, one of our missionaries in Nepal:
“Cynthia has been in Nepal since 2012 serving unreached communities that are known for human trafficking. She is a partner in Beauty For Ashes Nepal, a business that employs women at risk, as well as survivors of trafficking and exploitation. Their mission is to provide safe and dignified employment opportunities for women in a Christ-centered community environment.”
Some products from Beauty For Ashes Nepal will be available in our Global Missions corner after the service!
Come and connect with Cynthia on November 20, 2021!
WHERE? Bob and Pam Gross’s Home: 3050 Rockgate Place, Simi Valley, CA 93063
WHEN? November 20, 2021 • 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Questions? Call Pam Gross at 805-304-5846
events & HAPPENINGS ➔
MONTHLY RHYTHMS:
Elder Prayer Night • 7:00 - 8:00 PM • every second Tuesday • MPR
[If you need prayer or feel disheartened, overwhelmed, etc., — we would love for you to join us (the elders) so that we can pray over you and our church family.]
Worship Night • 6:30 - 8:00 PM • every second Wednesday • Main Sanctuary
[Join us every second Wednesday for a time of worship through song, prayer, and scripture!]
If you’re new here to Cornerstone, we would love to meet you! Join us after the service today to get connected and learn about the various ministries at Cornerstone (no RSVP required)! We’ll meet in front of the worship platform after the service.
Click the banner for more information.
Gatherings & Meetings ➔
Cornerstone Communities: We have several groups community groups that gather each week. If you’re interested in joining a group, see our community page for more information. We’d love to connect with you and get you plugged in!
Student Ministries: Impact (Middle School) and The Rock (High School) meet Wednesday nights. Meeting locations vary. Visit our student ministries and events pages for more information on time and location!
Sermon overview & Questions ➔
Thinking Rightly in a Broken World: Flourishing When All Else is Floundering
Todd Nighswonger | November 14, 2021
TEXT: Romans 12:1-2
Synopsis: Like no other time in my (Todd) lifetime, people, including Christians, have struggled to rightly understand and navigate life. More specifically, we were exposed as ill-prepared. We were hit hard by several harsh realities over the last 2 years, and sadly, we floundered. For the Apostle Paul, however, Christians shouldn't be naive or foolish to the difficulties of life. Instead, we are to know God's will (Eph 5:15-17). But how? The way in which we can discern and approve God's will is that we must be transformed. And the way in which we are transformed is through the renewing of the mind (Rom 12:1-2). God's people, even in difficulty (see Rom 8), can flourish. It isn’t just that we can know God's will, but that his will is something that is “good and acceptable and perfect.”
Questions:
In Romans 12:1-2, we learn that God desires to reveal his will to us. He wants us to think and live rightly in our world. As a group, read Romans 12:3-21 together. In that passage, Paul gives us the goal of thinking and living rightly. Take some time as a group to discuss what sticks out to you from the reading. Why is it important to have the goal in mind when seeking to live and think rightly?
To understand God’s will, Todd explained that the idea of “sacrifice” for Paul in Romans 12:1 was essential. It is an everyday, moment-by-moment desire and intent to bring all facets of your life into submission to the lordship of Jesus. Some areas of our lives are easy to give as a sacrifice and others aren’t. What areas of your life have you struggled to give as a sacrifice? Explain.
In line with the last question, where do you tend to be most influenced by, and therefore, most “conformed to” the pattern of this world or age, which keeps you from discerning God’s will? With the group, spend some time explaining your answer to the question.
What stood out to you most from the sermon this Sunday?
See this week’s community guide here.
Resources ➔
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Need prayer? We would love to know how to pray for you!
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