Cornerstone Chapel – Question and Answer Service (Jan 4, 2026)
Host: Pastor Gary & Sons (Tyler, Austin)
Theme: Live Q&A on Biblical Faith, Doctrine, Life, and Tough Cultural Questions
Episode Overview
In this annual Q&A service, Pastor Gary and his two sons address a broad array of Bible and faith-related questions submitted by the congregation. The discussion covers practical Christian living, doctrine (including controversial subjects like hell, spiritual gifts, other religious texts), dealing with anxiety and depression, and hot-button contemporary issues like Israel and public schooling. The atmosphere is warm, accessible, and rooted in scriptural exposition, with a candid family dynamic on stage.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Opening & Approach to Q&A
- Pastor Gary opens reflecting on the New Year, prayer, and the annual tradition of Q&A with his sons.
- Explains questions are selected for broad appeal, aiming for biblical answers, not just opinions. Some deeply personal questions may not be addressed in this format.
- [00:00] “We’re going to do our best to answer questions that have the broadest appeal…interesting to the broadest number of people in the congregation.” — Pastor Gary
THEOLOGY & CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE
Can Satan/Demons Read Our Thoughts?
- Answer: No. Only God knows the human heart (1 Kings 8:39; Psalm 139:4).
- “Satan is powerful, but he’s not all-knowing… only God knows the human heart.” — Tyler [03:30]
- Praying in your heart keeps things private from spiritual enemies, but verbal or internal prayer is equally biblical.
What Is the Purpose of Prayer If God’s Will Reigns?
- Purpose: Not to get what we want, but to align our hearts with God's will.
- Quote: “Prayer is not pulling God toward me and my will… it is aligning my heart with the Lord.” — Austin [06:04]
- Jesus' own prayer in Gethsemane is the model: "Not my will, but yours be done." (Luke 22:42)
Struggling with Depression as a Christian
- Some depression is medical; see a doctor if needed.
- Emotional/spiritual depression is addressed in the Psalms (raw honesty with God encouraged).
- Referenced a teaching: Help, God, I’m Depressed (March 2015, on 1 Kings 19, available on their website).
- “Always employ prayer as part of that.” — Pastor Gary [08:05]
Difference Between Talmud, Quran, and Book of Mormon
- Talmud: Jewish commentary, historically useful, but not divinely inspired.
- Quran & Book of Mormon: Later texts, both claim angelic inspiration; differ from Bible and have contradictions.
- “If we or an angel… preach another gospel… let him be condemned.” (Gal 1:8) — Pastor Gary [12:51]
- OK to read them for understanding, but not as scriptural authority.
Are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Active Today?
- Belief: Gifts continue until the eternal, "perfect" state—not ceased with the New Testament canon.
- "A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other." (1 Cor 12:7) — Tyler [17:39]
- Love is the greatest gift and the essential context for exercising all spiritual gifts.
Is Baptism Required for Salvation?
- Short answer: No; baptism is a public declaration after salvation, not a condition for salvation.
- Example: The thief on the cross was not baptized, yet was promised Paradise.
- “Baptism does not make us saved, but is a public declaration.” — Austin [21:28]
- Acts 2:38 uses “for the forgiveness of your sins”, "for" means "in response to," not "to attain."
Why Did You Stop Teaching from NIV?
- 2011 NIV revision made changes Pastor Gary disagrees with (e.g., changing red-letter attribution in John 3:16). Prefers NKJV now.
- [26:12] “If you could get the old version…I would still be using that…”
What Is the Unpardonable Sin?
- Only rejection of Jesus as Lord and Savior is unpardonable.
- “If you trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you’re not condemned for something you’ve done in the past.” — Pastor Gary [26:37]
ISRAEL & END TIMES
Why Support Israel?
- Politically: Israel is the world's only Jewish state, surrounded by hostile nations.
- Biblically: God’s eternal, unconditional covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12, 15).
- “God’s not done with them…we have a biblical and moral obligation to support Israel.” — Pastor Gary [27:32]
- Disagreeing with Israeli government policy is okay; still honor God’s covenant with His people.
Are There Different Levels of Heaven?
- No — Salvation is binary; no strata in heaven. [39:00]
When Is the Gog & Magog War?
- Likely “before” or leading up to the Tribulation, not the same as Armageddon. [39:18]
Does God’s Silence Mean He Is Angry?
- No. Not necessarily. Silence can have many reasons.
Thoughts on “The Chosen” TV Show?
- Mixed feelings: Good entertainment but some concerns about artistic liberties not strictly following scripture.
- “If you want to watch, use biblical discernment. Stick to the Word of God.” — Austin [41:31]
DOCTRINAL ISSUES & APOLOGETICS
Why Could Lucifer (Satan) Sin in Heaven? Can It Happen Again?
- Angelic beings have free choice; for them, once they rebel, their fate is sealed—no opportunity for repentance.
- Once humans are glorified, they are incorruptible and cannot sin (1 Cor 15:52; 1 John 3:2).
- Pastor Gary: "I’m not totally convinced there couldn't be another coup [among the angels]. The Bible is silent on that." [45:16]
Can a Christian Practice Yoga?
- Caution advised: Yoga’s philosophical roots are in Hindu pantheism. Physical exercise is one thing, but Christians should avoid the spiritual aspects.
- "Yoga means union—with the universe, not with God. Christians need discernment." — Austin [46:30]
- Biblical meditation is filling your mind with truth, not emptying it.
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
Kirk Cameron’s Podcast: Annihilation vs. Eternal Punishment
- Pastor Gary disagrees with the "annihilation" doctrine; believes scripture plainly teaches eternal conscious punishment.
- “Sometimes being open to all these thoughts is just a breeding ground for confusion… This is Jesus: ‘The unrighteous will go into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’” (Matt 25:46) — Pastor Gary [51:53]
Hell, Sheol, Hades, Abyss, Gehenna, Tartarus Explained
- Sheol/Hades: The place of the dead; pre-resurrection, held righteous (paradise/Abraham’s bosom) and unrighteous separated by a chasm.
- Gehenna: Used by Jesus, equivalent to the Lake of Fire.
- Abyss: Place below Hades, holding wicked angels.
- “Sheol is the Hebrew, Hades is the Greek… now, when you die and you know Jesus, you go directly to heaven.” — Pastor Gary [63:07]
Why Does the Catholic Bible Have Extra Books?
- The Apocrypha (7 books) not considered inspired; neither Jesus nor NT apostles quote or allude to them.
- “Did Jesus teach it? Did the apostles practice it? Do the NT letters support it? If not, don’t embrace it.” — Austin [67:12]
- Transubstantiation: Jesus spoke metaphorically (“the words I speak are spirit…” John 6:63), rejecting literal bread/wine transformation.
PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN LIVING
Will God Forgive Past Abortion or Other Sins?
- Yes. Full forgiveness and cleansing in Christ. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12)
- “There is therefore now no condemnation…” (Romans 8:1)
Will We Have Jobs in the Millennial Kingdom?
- Likely, based on God’s original design and prophecies (Daniel 12:11-13). We co-reign with Christ in meaningful roles.
- [75:14] “We will have governmental jobs across the globe… Jesus will assign certain jobs or delegations for us.”
What Should Young Women/Men Look for in a Spouse?
- Look for someone pursuing God, not just professing faith.
- “You could be dating a demon-dude, not even know it…” — Austin [78:46]
- Key: Integrity, humility, serving in church, genuine faith, not just self-interest.
- “Don’t flirt to convert.”
Is It Okay to Distance Yourself from Toxic People (Family/Co-workers)?
- Yes. The Bible supports boundaries; Psalm 1 warns against "standing with sinners."
- “We're to still love and pray for those who claim to be believers and are not living it, or are far from the Lord. But you don’t have to be in the same company.” — Tyler [85:32]
Recognizing & Responding to a “Wilderness Season”
- Spiritual dryness/loneliness is common; may be a time for God to reveal more of Himself.
- “Do not despise spiritually dry seasons. Press into Jesus, get in the word of God, and He’ll bathe you… in His love and kindness.” — Austin [92:15]
Sinner’s Prayer: Is It Biblical?
- Pastor Gary encourages it as a means of helping people make a decision for Christ, based on Romans 10:9-10.
- "It is a surrendering to the lordship of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior." [94:52]
Helping Unsaved Family Members
- Pray that God surrounds them with Christian influences.
- Sometimes God uses others, not you, to reach them due to relational walls (cf. Jesus in Nazareth).
Anxiety & Condemnation
- Cast all your anxieties on God (1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6-7).
- Difference between conviction (good, from the Holy Spirit) and condemnation (not for those in Christ).
- “Write down Romans 8:1…We constantly need to be bathing our minds in the truth of God's word.” — Austin [105:12]
Academic Excellence vs. Spiritual Well-Being in School Choices
- Pastor Gary expresses concern for prioritizing achievements over spiritual health due to today’s public-school climate. Urges careful discernment.
Babylon the Great: Could It Be the United States?
- Some arguments for/against (e.g., New York City parallels in Rev. 18), but Pastor Tyler leans toward literal ancient Babylon as the end-times fulfillment. [114:41]
“Depart From Me, I Never Knew You” – Should Believers Fear?
- Context is false prophets, not true believers.
- "You can’t point to your good works… On judgment day, you fall at the mercy of God." — Austin [117:44]
Young Earth vs. Old Earth
- Chapel stance: young earth (~6,000–10,000 years) based on Bible genealogies. Book rec: The Beginning of the World by Dr. Henry Morris. [120:57]
Was Nero the Antichrist?
- No, but he was a “type” of Antichrist. The final, capital-A Antichrist is yet to come. [122:45]
Recommended Devotionals
- Wisdom for Today by Chuck Smith (adults)
- The Biggest Story by Kevin DeYoung (families/kids)
- Adventures in Odyssey audio series for kids [123:01]
- The Praying Couple by Stormie Omartian (devotions for couples)
- Edgar Meyer’s Family Handbook (children/family devotions)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “He’s not omnipresent, and he’s not all-knowing. He’s powerful…but he cannot read our minds.” — Tyler [03:30]
- “Prayer is aligning my heart with the will of God.” — Austin [06:04]
- “The thief on the cross wasn’t baptized, but Jesus said, ‘You will be with me today in paradise.’” — Austin [21:28]
- “Love is the greatest gift. Just because Scripture is complete does not mean the gifts are gone.” — Tyler [17:39]
- “God doesn’t grade on the curve. He grades on the cross.” — Austin [120:38]
- “Don’t flirt to convert!” — Pastor Gary [81:36]
- “If you trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you’re not condemned for something you’ve done in the past. Behold, all things are new.” — Pastor Gary [26:37]
Resource Recap
- Teaching Library: cornerstonechapel.net
- Help, God, I’m Depressed — 1 Kings 19 (March 2015)
- Luke 16: Rich Man & Lazarus
- Book of Acts: Holy Spirit Teaching
Books:
- 55 Answers to Questions about Life After Death by Mark Hitchcock
- The Beginning of the World by Dr. Henry Morris
- Wisdom for Today by Chuck Smith
- The Biggest Story by Kevin DeYoung
- The Praying Couple by Stormie Omartian
- Edgar Meyer’s Family Handbook (for children)
Final Spiritual Encouragement
- “We don’t have all the answers, but You do—Your Word does, Lord. We continue to look to Your Word. Fill us afresh with Your Spirit.” — Prayed by Austin [125:50]
Note: Timestamps above are rounded to the nearest minute for a user-friendly guide. For in-depth exploration, refer to cornerstonechapel.net’s teaching archive, indexing specific topics and sermons mentioned in the episode.