342 episodes

Sunday sermons from Cornerstone Congregational Church in Westford, MA. Find videos, manuscripts, and other resources at CornerstoneWestford.com.

Cornerstone Congregational Church Sermon Podcast Cornerstone Congregational Church

    • Religion & Spirituality
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Sunday sermons from Cornerstone Congregational Church in Westford, MA. Find videos, manuscripts, and other resources at CornerstoneWestford.com.

    A Caught Faith | 2 Timothy 1:5 (Lois & Eunice – Mother’s Day Message)

    A Caught Faith | 2 Timothy 1:5 (Lois & Eunice – Mother’s Day Message)

    Happy Mother’s Day. I want to start by saying how grateful I am for my mom encouraging my walk with Christ, and I’m constantly grateful for how my wife Monica teaches our kids about Jesus. Today, in scripture, we see two examples of women who did the same thing. We’ve been in this series, Women in the Kingdom, and we’ve been looking at lots of women, wives, and mothers throughout the Bible. Today we’re going to look at a grandmother and a mother that Paul speaks really highly of. They are the grandmother, Lois, and mother, Eunice, of Timothy, Paul’s disciple. They love the Lord, and their deepest desire is that Timothy would love Jesus too. By God’s grace, he does, and this is how Paul talks of them.
    2 Timothy 1:5 (NIV)
    I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
    This verse, if we look at it closely, tells us a little bit about why Timothy caught the faith from his mother and grandmother. And that’s what we hope for our children—that they would catch our faith in God too. My big idea is: A caught faith is a genuine, alive, and taught faith.
    A caught faith is a genuine faith.
    Paul, addressing Timothy, says, “I am reminded of your sincere faith.” But it didn’t come from Timothy; it came from his Lois and Eunice. The Greek word for “sincere” means “un-disguised.” I think I was about 13-14 when I watched The Phantom of the Opera for the first time. It’s all about the music and the mask. Who is the phantom who plays such amazing music but wears a mask? What is he covering? Why hide? He hides his face because he hides his scars. Eventually, he reveals his true face. Why do we hide? Is it our brokenness? We don’t want our kids to see who we really are? They see it, whether we want them to or not.
    Lois and Eunice took got real with Timothy. They didn’t put on a show for him. They let Timothy see their genuine, messy, imperfect, real faith in God. They took off their masks. They let him see their scars—that they weren’t perfect, but Jesus loves them anyway. What I so appreciate about my mom’s faith, my mother-in-law’s faith, and my wife’s faith, is that each of their faith is genuine, and each of them is willing to be real with their kids.
    A caught faith is not perfect faith. A caught faith is not an “I have it all together” faith. A caught faith is genuine, un-masked, un-hypocritical, willing to be real kind of faith. I see that in our church too. It makes me thankful for the moms and grandmothers in our church community.
    A caught faith is a genuine and alive faith.
    “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice…” The word for “lived” is better translated as “dwelt.” A dwelling is a house or place where people live. Monica and I purchased our house eight years ago, and this week we’re about to put it on the market to sell it. And as I think about our house, we have a lot of memories there. We’ve eaten a lot of meals, had game nights with friends, broken glasses, finished the basement, and had firepits in our backyard. We’ve had two kids here. There’s been a lot of living in our home. Our home is our dwelling place.
    What Paul is saying is that faith made its home in Lois and Eunice’s lives. It took up residence. It made a bunch of memories, on good days and bad days. Faith was present. Faith in God has been there through it all, living life with them. Sometimes when we think of an “alive faith,” we think of “being on fire for God.” Like going out and being a missionary or preaching on the curb. Those things matter. Those things are good. But that’s not how the Bible defines a living faith. Living faith is one that goes through life every day and seeks to know God, love him, and follow the Holy Spirit wherever he leads. That’s an alive faith. That’s a faith that dwells in us every

    • 19 min
    Egalitarianism | Galatians 3:28; 1 Timothy 2:8-15

    Egalitarianism | Galatians 3:28; 1 Timothy 2:8-15

    Today, we’re jumping back into our three sermons looking at complementarianism, egalitarianism, and a hybrid view of women in ministry (complementarian in the home, egalitarian in the church). Last week, we looked at complementarianism, which generally believes God only calls men to preach and serve as elders, starting with 1 Timothy 2:8-3:7. Today, we’re looking at egalitarianism, which believes that God calls both men and women to preach, serve as elders, and serve in ordained pastoral ministry. Next week we’re doing a Mother’s Day message then we’ll finish with the hybrid view.


    Egalitarianism – Full Inclusion of Women in Teaching & Leadership
    Egalitarians believe that God not only made women and men equally, but they have equal roles within the church and family, and each can do what the other does. Egalitarians do not believe that gender doesn’t matter; we certainly function differently, but that God does not mandate gender roles. Egalitarians generally go back to Genesis one and look at Adam and Eve co-ruling in the garden, and then they interpret the rest of the scripture in light of that, interpreting male-centered hierarchy and patriarchy as a result of the fall.
    Today we’re going back to 1 Timothy 2:8-15, and I’ll be mentioning Galatians 3:28. But since I’ll be referencing 1 Timothy 2, I need to read it again.
    1 Timothy 2:8-15 (NIV)
    Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
    11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.
    When Egalitarians approach 1 Timothy 2:8-15, they often take a contextual approach, trying hard to understand the culture that might have led Paul to make his prohibition. Here is their basic understanding, recognizing that just like the complementarian perspective, there are a lot of variations on this.
    A. Paul is responding to false teachers who elevated women in inappropriate ways. (1 Tim 2:8-10, 13-14)
    When Paul wrote 1 Timothy, he was writing to Ephesus (1 Tim 1:3). Some egalitarians argue that if you look at the historical background of Ephesus, you find there was a cult of Artemis there. For example, when Paul preached in Ephesus, the silver-smiths sparked a riot because Paul was ruining their idol-selling business; and they all changed, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” (Acts 19:34) That cult elevated women. Artemis was the goddess of fertility and childbirth, even helping her own mother give birth to her twin brother Apollo right after she was born, or so the legend goes. They propose that cult elevated women in improper ways, and Paul is correcting them. Within Paul’s letter, it’s clear there are false teachers at Ephesus.
    1 Timothy 1:3 (NIV)
    As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer.
    1 Timothy 6:3–4 (NIV)
    If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions
    They think this is why Paul mentions Adam coming before Eve, to correct the Artemis cult that women are superior or that women came first. Another perspective is that throughout the Roman culture, there was a class of wo

    • 23 min
    Complementarianism | 1 Timothy 2:8-3:7

    Complementarianism | 1 Timothy 2:8-3:7

    Today in our Women in the Kingdom series we’re diving into the text so many go to when deciding the role of women in the church. 1 Timothy 2:12 says, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man…” We look at that verse, we equate teaching with preaching and holding authority with being an elder. That is one way to interpret the text, and it’s called complementarianism.


    For the next three weeks, including today, we’re going to examine this position and two other perspectives, egalitarianism and a hybrid view. Andy gave us a great chart defining the differences that I want to review and expand on today.


    So today, we’re looking at 1 Timothy 2:8-3:7. Next week we’re coming back to this text but also looking at Galatians 3:28 and Egalitarianism. And the third week, we’re doing the same thing, but also going to 1 Peter 3:1-7 and looking at a hybrid view of women in the church and home. But first, I want to say this:
    How we believe matters.
    As typical evangelical Christians, we like to jump right to our statement of faith, directly to our doctrine and beliefs. What we believe matters! But it also matters how we believe. God cares about our doctrine, but also our posture. This is especially important with this issue because…
    A. This is a second-tier issue.
    This is not a primary doctrine of the church. In other words, it’s not the protein of our faith. It’s not equal to what we believe about the Trinity, or Jesus, or salvation from sin. Those doctrines, which you can find in our Articles of Faith, are so essential; if you don’t believe them, your salvation is at stake. But that doesn’t mean this isn’t an important topic. It’s not as frivolous as your favorite ice cream flavor. It matters, yet good Christians and pastors may disagree. So, as we talk through these three views today, let’s hold our positions with a loose grip. This is a second-tier issue.
    B. Let’s open up space for grace and humility.
    One way I could address this topic is to just tell you one position, the one I hold and tell you why it’s correct. But instead of doing that, I want to show you how all three interpretations are biblical, have strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately encourage us to hold our positions with grace and humility. It’s my prayer that the complementarians would follow their convictions but also open up room for others to follow their biblical convictions. So honestly, I am probably going to critique complementarianism a bit harder than the other positions, but that’s because it’s the one most of us are probably the most comfortable with and have held the longest. But I still want to do so out of love and respect. I need grace and humility. Let’s go:
    Complementarian – Male-Only Teaching & Leadership
    Complementarians believe God made men and women equal in value and dignity and worth, but different in their gender roles, different in what God has called each to do. They complement one another with their different roles. Our text, 1 Timothy 2:8-3:7, is the foundational passage complementarians go to when explaining why women cannot be allowed to preach, teach, or be elders in the local church. Complementarians generally argue that it is not that hard to interpret 1 Timothy 2:8-14 (notice I didn’t say verse 15 because pretty much everyone struggles with that verse). Here’s their basic understanding:
    A) Paul is explaining how men and women should behave in the church. (v8-10)
    Men need to lift up their hands in worship and stop fighting because apparently, there was fighting in this church. I think it might also be a call for guys to bring their hearts to worship. And women are supposed to dress modestly, be quiet and do good deeds.
    B) Paul exerts his apostolic authority to permanently prohibit women from teaching, preaching, or holding the office of elder/pastor in the local church. (v11-12)
    When Paul says, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a

    • 26 min
    The Bethany Sisters | Luke 10:38-42; John 11:28-34; 12:1-8

    The Bethany Sisters | Luke 10:38-42; John 11:28-34; 12:1-8

    Martha is hard at work preparing for dinner in the kitchen. She is dicing the carrots, washing the salad, and setting the table with her very best wedding china, which she’s only used 2-3 times before. She got a roast from the local butcher, but she’s having trouble keeping her eye on it. She’s just too busy, and she’s worried it’s going to burn. And if it burns, dinner will be ruined, and all her guests in the very next room will go hungry. Where is Mary!
    Martha peaks around the doorway, sweat dripping on her brow as she wipes her hands on her apron. In the living room, she sees Rabbi Jesus, her honored guest, sitting in the big-leather comfy chair. That’s perfect. He deserves the place of honor. She looks at the sectional and finds his twelve disciples and her brother Lazarus all either sitting along the sofa or relaxing on the floor. Also good. Nothing but the best for Jesus, his followers, and her brother, the breadwinner of the family.
    But then she spots her sister, Mary! Air-head Mary is literally sitting at the feet of Jesus, her knees pressed up against her chest, looking up to Jesus, an expression of wonder and awe on her face, soaking it all in. Martha just about loses it! She’s been the host. She’s taking care of Jesus! Isn’t that what they, as the women, should be doing? But Mary, Mary is acting like one of the men! Mary is pretending to be a disciple, and if she pretends to be a disciple, who knows what she might do next!
    Mary should be in the kitchen serving, just like Martha! And so Martha stops what’s she’s doing, walks elegantly into the room, and when Rabbi Jesus turns his head to her, she asks, ever so sweetly, with just a splash of New-England bite, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?” And then she adds, more forcefully, “Tell her to help me!!”
    Mary looks up at her sister Martha with a look of shock and dismay on her face. Martha hardly gives her a glance but directs her attention to Jesus. Jesus looks at Martha for a moment, and in that moment, Martha’s determination begins to fade. She can see it in his eyes. She’s not going to like what he says. “Martha Martha,” Jesus says, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (see Luke 10:38-42)
    And like slowly letting the air out of a balloon, Mary deflates with a squeak. By all outward appearances, Martha was right. Martha was the homemaker, preparing dinner for the guests. As a woman, Mary should have been helping Martha. But Jesus saw beyond the busyness, saw beyond Martha’s role, saw further into Martha than Martha ever thought possible. Jesus doesn’t condemn Martha, but he does call her, just like he’s calling Mary, and just like he’s calling you. What will Jesus say when he calls you? Are you ready to hear his voice? Are you ready to head his call?
    Jesus doesn’t rebuke Martha for serving. Not at all. Rather, Jesus calls her not to judge Mary. I think he may also be calling her to enjoy his presence, to slow down and listen to him, a call we can all hear. Who are you judging? What expectations are you placing on others? How might Jesus subvert your expectations?
    Mary is crying. She’s not just crying. She is weeping. Tears are rolling down her face. Her gut aches. She is gasping for breath. It comes, she breathes, but then she remembers. Her brother Lazarus is dead. And the tears come again. They come rolling, streaming gushing down her face till she’s all cried out. And then she sits there, hollow, rocking, tired, exhausted, angry, guilty, depressed, dry.
    Not ten minutes earlier, Mary saw her sister Martha slip out of the room. Mary knew where Martha was going. He has finally arrived, Rabbi Jesus, the one she loved and admired so much, who could perform miracles and heal the sick. But she wasn’t going out to meet him because when she

    • 24 min
    New Testament Survey of Women | Romans 16:1-7

    New Testament Survey of Women | Romans 16:1-7

    Andy Bradshaw preached on women in the New Testament this morning. You can watch the full service on Facebook or only the sermon on YouTube. You can check out our full Women in the Kingdom sermon series here and access some of our resources on women in ministry here.
    Discussion Questions:
    1. Are you celebrating/commemorating lent (the 40/46 days leading up to Easter) in order to prepare for Easter? If so, how?

    2. Please share any prayer requests or praises? What is on your heart?

    3. Who is your favorite woman in the New Testament? Why? What can we learn from her?

    4. Why do you suppose the first recorded story of Jesus revealing himself is with the woman at the well? Why do you suppose that the first people to see the risen Jesus were also women? What is God trying to tell us by doing these things this way?

    5. In the OT we noticed a theme of God using women to save men or all of Israel. In the NT we noticed a theme of God trusting women with the Gospel.  Romans 1:16a says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” Both OT and NT seem to then contain the same theme of God/Jesus using women bringing salvation to men. What are the implications for how we share the Gospel and make disciples both individually and as a church?
    Content Curation

    Dear Church,
    Thank you for listening to our third message in our Women in the Kingdom sermon series (if you’ve missed one, just click the link). Andy introduced the concepts of “Complementarian” and “Egalitarian” in his sermon last week. If you’d like to hear the two sides debate this topic in a mutually-respectful way, Gordon-Conwell Charlotte hosted a helpful conversation doing just that back in 2017 (click here). Please continue to pray over this series and our church as we process.
    In Christ, Pastor Jonathan
    P.S. On a separate note, Bernie Michaud put together a 5-minute message he’d like for us to hear as we navigate this time of pastoral transition (click here).

    Sermon Slides:





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    • 22 min
    Priests & Kings | Genesis 1-3 (Women in Ministry Sermon Series: Co-Ruling in the Kingdom)

    Priests & Kings | Genesis 1-3 (Women in Ministry Sermon Series: Co-Ruling in the Kingdom)

    As I was preparing for this message, I remembered James Brown and Betty Newsome’s song, It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World (take on mad mad mad world). The first half of the song goes like this:
    You see, man made the cars to take us over the road
    Man made the train to carry the heavy load
    Man made electric light to take us out of the dark
    Man made the boat for the water, like Noah made the ark
    This is a man’s, man’s, man’s world
    But it wouldn’t be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl
    Is this how the world is? All about men? Are women and girls an afterthought? Newsome wrote this song as she observed how men and women relate.[1] Is this the Bible’s vision of what God intended? In the first chapter of the Bible, Genesis one, God paints a radically different picture.
    Genesis 1:26 (NIV)
    Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
    In Genesis one, God makes humankind in his image, in his likeness, and gives us authority to rule over creation. And less we think only kings, rulers, Pharaohs, or men are made in God’s image; we find that both sexes, equally and together, manifest the image of God in our world.
    Genesis 1:27 (NIV)
    So God created mankind in his own image,
    in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.
    This means God places men and women equally in charge of his creation. Humanity is the kings and queens, the co-royals of creation. And we’re given a job to do.
    Genesis 1:28 (NIV)
    God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
    God calls men and women to rule creation together. The only way men and women can be “fruitful and increase in number” is as a team. Together they make up the image of God. Together they are to “steward” creation towards flourishing. Scripture emphasizes co-laboring in Genesis two. God creates man from the dust of the ground (Gen 2:7); and places him in the garden to “work it and take care of it” (Gen 2:15).
    Two sources, John Walton and Gordon Hugenberger taught me that Adam is not only a king, as seen in Genesis one, but a priest in Genesis two, and that the Garden of Eden is a temple, a sacred space where God dwells. The temple in Jerusalem had four walls. The garden has four rivers. The Jerusalem temple has garden imagery inside it, just like the actual Garden of Eden. The temple is guarded and cared for by priests, so is the Garden of Eden, not just by men but by man and woman. Adam, man alone, is an insufficient priest.
    Genesis 2:18 (NIV)
    The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
    This word for “helper” is often used of God when he helps his people.[2] Here, helper may be translated “fit for” as “corresponds to.” Eve was Adam’s fit and flourish. Together, they would guard and keep the garden as priests, Eve supplying something Adam cannot do without. So what does God do? Does God pick up a clump of clay and fashion woman like he did man? No, because God again wants to emphasize man and woman’s togetherness, their connection, their union:
    Genesis 2:21-22 (NIV)
    So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
    God doesn’t take a toe bone, which might have symbolized women’s inferiority. Neither does God take something that might have suggested superiority. An earlobe? Instead, God takes something that represents woman’s equality with man, their side-by-si

    • 26 min

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