Dear Cornerstone Family,
Just like that, we’ve come to the end of our summer Psalms series. Today marks the close of at least this portion of “Finding our Way to God: A Study in the Psalms.” I believe we can say with confidence—we have found our way to God this summer. Or, more properly, He has found His way to us. If your reflections and comments are any indication (and I believe they are), this series has been just what the Great Physician ordered.
But it’s time to look ahead, and it’s appropriate that we do so now. Summer is winding down. Kids are preparing to start school. The predictable fall routines will soon fall into place. And yet, this year is different. It’s not back to business as usual. COVID-19 is still a very present reality and likely will be for a while. Economic and financial stresses remain and, in some cases, are escalating. A significant national election is on the horizon, and the battle lines are firmly in place. I told someone this week, “You can literally feel the uneasiness in the air.”
In a time like this, where does God want us to set our focus? When I asked that question, my mind immediately returned to the foundation of our faith, to the Cornerstone on which everything we believe is based (Ephesians 2:19-22). We need a sustained look at the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In the last five years, we’ve coursed through a litany of Bible books from the Old and New Testament including Daniel, Philemon, Jude, Habakkuk, Galatians, Jonah, Psalms, Genesis, and Philippians. In addition to these, we’ve tackled short topical series on prayer, freedom, love, church, relationships, and discipleship. This is not to mention five different Advent series, two Lenten series, and four vision renewal series at the start of each calendar year.
As I looked over the content and themes of what we’ve covered, and then looked out at the pressing needs of our time, I was convinced: now is the time to enter the life of Jesus Christ proper. Starting August 16, we will begin a series entitled, Follow Me: The Gospel of Mark.
Of all the gospel writers, Mark is the punchiest. A fast-moving, action-packed narrative that focuses on what it means to be a disciple of King Jesus, who came to establish a kingdom not of this world. In a time where it feels like the world is falling apart, what a comfort to know that the kingdom we’re living for— the kingdom that will last—is not of this world.
Moreover, King Jesus often does his best kingdom building work in the midst of things falling apart. Yes, it’s still 2020. More importantly, Jesus is still on the throne. And He always will be.
So, take heart. Things are looking up, friends.
Your servant,
Pastor Nate