Cornerstone Fremont Nebraska

Marks of the true people of God.

Many think they are one of God's people, but they are not. What then are the marks of the true people of God? If you are unsure of the promises of God that mark His people from the very beginning. This message is for you. 

Assurances the "faith alone" is reliable for salvation.

What do you point to when your conscience asks, “Why should God accept me?

1. Jesus + my performance = I’m accepted
   “I’ve been doing really well lately—I feel like I’m in a good place with God.”
   Assurance rises and falls with spiritual performance, not Christ’s finished work.
2. Jesus + my consistency = I stay justified
   “As long as I stay disciplined, I know I’ll be okay.”
   Faith is treated as the starting point, but consistency becomes the sustaining cause.
3. Jesus + my repentance = I’m restored
   “I just need to repent better and mean it more this time.”
   Repentance subtly becomes a payment that earns renewed acceptance.
4. Jesus + my moral record = I’m better than most
   “I mean, I’m not perfect—but I’m definitely not like those people.”
   Comparison replaces Christ as the ground of confidence.
5. Jesus + my feelings = I know I’m right with God
   “I feel really close to God right now.”
   Emotional experience becomes the verdict of justification.
6. Jesus + my transformation = I’m legitimate
   “Look how much I’ve changed—that proves I’m truly saved.”
   Sanctification (spiritual growth) becomes the basis of acceptance.
7. Jesus + my ministry = I have standing before God
   “God is using me —I know I’m where I should be.”
   Usefulness to God replaces union with Christ as the source of worth.
8. Jesus + my suffering = God owes me
   “After everything I’ve gone through, God wouldn’t let me fall.”
   Suffering is turned into a kind of merit before God.
9. Jesus + my doctrine = I’m on the right side
   “At least I believe the truth, unlike a lot of churches.”
   Right theology becomes a form of self-righteous identity.
10. Jesus + my background = I belong
    “I’ve been in church my whole life—that has to count for something.”
    Spiritual heritage replaces personal reliance on Christ.
11. Jesus + my decision = I’m secure
    “I prayed the prayer—I know I’m good.”
    A past moment becomes the ground of trust instead of Christ Himself.
12. Jesus + my effort against sin = I’m safe
    “At least I’m fighting—I’m not giving in as I used to.”
    The struggle against sin becomes the reason God accepts me.
13. Jesus + my intentions = I’m acceptable
    “God knows my heart—I mean well.”
    Sincerity replaces righteousness as the basis of acceptance.
14. Jesus + my knowledge of grace = I’m safe
    “I get grace—not like some people, that’s what matters.”
    Even understanding grace becomes a subtle ground of confidence.
15. Jesus + my lack of hypocrisy = I’m better
    “At least I’m real—I’m not fake like a lot of Christians.”
    Authenticity becomes its own form of righteousness.
16. Jesus + my spiritual hunger = I’m right with God
    “I really want God—that has to count for something.”
    Desire for God becomes the reason God accepts me.
17. Jesus + my obedience in key areas = I’m secure
    “I’ve gotten this part of my life under control.”
    Confidence gets anchored in selective areas of obedience.
18. Jesus + my avoidance of big sins = I’m okay
    “I don’t do the really bad stuff.”
    Sin is redefined downward, so our record looks acceptable enough.

If you look to anything other than Jesus alone, you are rejecting the gospel. 

 

 

Practices that deepen Gospel roots.

Too many of us slip into autopilot — doing Christian things but missing the life of the Gospel meant to energize every step. In Galatians 3:1–6, Paul calls us back to what keeps us spiritually vibrant: remembering the cross, relying on the Spirit, and renewing our faith. This message is about slowing down, digging deeper, and letting the Gospel take root again where routine has taken over.

Backsliding into religion

We've all seen people who initially believe in Jesus but later drift back to their old ways-it's painful to witness. However, there's a more dangerous type of backsliding: when someone becomes more active and influential in the church while their heart strays from the gospel of grace. The first kind is disappointing, but the second is disastrous. That's what this message is about. 

Practices of Freedom

Letting legalists drag you down into their world is damaging. With that in mind, it is essential to cultivate practices of freedom, which is what this message is about. 

The search for significance.

Many of us find ourselves spinning our wheels, trying to create significance in our lives. What does it truly mean to have a sense of purpose and significance? Your search for meaning does have a destination if you are willing to embrace it, and it is much more dynamic than you might think. In this message, we will explore a biblical principle for significance that we can experience immediately. 

Quietly quitting on God.

Most believers aren't at risk of outright apostasy, which is a public rejection of Christ, but there's a real danger of quietly quitting on God—merely going through the motions with a somewhat disillusioned heart. In this message, we learn about one man’s crisis of faith and how he came back from the brink of apostasy. The lessons we learn here will help us avoid quietly quitting on God.

Lessons in defending the gospel of grace.

The greatest threat to the church does not come from outside but from within, perverted gospels that undermine the goodness and faithfulness of God. With that in mind, we all need some lessons in defending the gospel of grace. This message will better equip you to defend yourself and others against false teachers.

Is your life being shaped by the genuine gospel?

Is your life being shaped by the genuine gospel?

It's just what I always wanted!

It's just what I always wanted!