Cornerstone Simi Podcast

EP#36: The Means: As You Are Going

7-24-22 | The Means: As You Are Going | Christian Burkhardt

EP#35: The Main Thing

Continuing in the Summer series on The Great Commission, Todd points out that after Jesus declares His authority over Heaven and Earth, He immediately commands us to “go and make disciples”.  But in order to do this we must remember two things - making disciples will not be possible without the power of the Holy Spirit within us and secondly, this command comes, not unexpectedly, but as a result of all the instructions given previously in the book of Matthew.  Our pastor’s acknowledge that this is hard but go on to explain how discipleship happens within the local church and among the church body in simple day-to-day activities and relationships.  If you are overwhelmed by the prospect of discipleship you will find encouragement and hope in this straightforward discussion. 

7-17-22 | The Main Thing: Make Disciples | Todd Nighswonger

EP#34: Announcing the Good Reign of Jesus Christ

In this Summer Series on The Great Commission, Todd, Christian, and Spencer focus on Matthew 28:18 where Jesus declares His authority over all things. With Christian taking the lead in the discussion he explains how God uses His power and authority for good in contrast to how our culture frequently uses power and authority wrongly for our own purposes, not the purposes of God. The discussion with Spencer and Todd over the significance that Jesus was “given” His authority connects to God giving authority in the Garden to Adam and Eve before sin enters the world.  Quoting from the book, Playing God, by Andy Crouch, Christian explains that like God creating the world, or “making stuff” we too are tasked to create and make things, using our authority or rule to bless the world.  Furthermore, like God, who “makes sense” of the world, we too are to please God by helping others make sense of their lives in the context of a holy and righteous Creator.  You will find our pastor's discussion both enlightening and motivating to steward your authority and power well! 

7-10-22 | Announcing the Good Reign of Jesus Christ | Christian Burkhardt

EP#33: The Greater Declaration

This inaugural podcast of the Summer ‘22 series on The Great Commission begins with Christian taking the opportunity to introduce us to Matthew 28:16-20.  (We encourage you  to listen to Christian’s Sunday teaching first as it will enhance your appreciation of this discussion with Todd and Spencer.)  The significant emphasis in this particular podcast is on verse 18, where Jesus declares, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” You will appreciate the pastor’s discussion of when Jesus acquired His authority, and the significance it has today in our lives. Also of interest is that Jesus declares His authority before he gives the command to His disciples to go and make disciples!  If you experience timidity in your Christian walk you will also greatly appreciate the discussion on verse 20, where Jesus makes a second declaration that “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” In closing this podcast our pastors discuss the implications of these 2 declarations and our allegiance to Christ first and foremost.  You will undoubtedly rethink what you’ve previously believed about The Great Commission and this is a great introduction to the new series!  

7-3-22 | The Greater Declaration | Christian Burkhardt

EP#32: The Goodness of Confrontation Done Rightly

In this final podcast episode on 2 Thessalonians, Todd, Christian and Spencer discuss the Apostle Paul’s final words to the church in Thessalonica. Paul encourages the young believers to not “grow weary in doing good” but remarkably part of “doing good” is confronting others in the family of God, not in condemnation, but rather in love, to live out their identity in Christ as an image bearer of God.  Todd reminds us of the 6 characteristics of good confrontation and our pastors emphasize the point that this practice should be commonplace and normative in the Christian experience. They even make a bold statement that confrontation should be done often enough that it becomes life-giving and even joyful.  Listen in on their insightful discussion and consider the implications of confrontation done well in your own life.

6-26-22 | The Goodness of Confrontation Done Rightly | Todd Nighswonger