Is “amen” a throwaway word? In this week’s sermon, we consider the reverence and fear with which we should approach worship and vows made to God. Ultimately, we conclude that Christ is the only hope for oath breakers and fools like us who say “amen” when we should have been silent.
In Ecclesiastes 4:13-16, we find two characters: a foolish king and a wise young man. While the foolish king refuses to listen to advice, the wise young man learns much and ascends even to claim the throne for himself. But his success is short-lived. As wise as he was, the people would soon forget him too. So what’s the point? Is it all vanity, or is there more?
Isolation leads to vain toil, but community is fruitful beyond compare. As we look at this passage, we consider how Christ has brought us into community with one another for our good!
Looking out at the world, the Preacher of Ecclesiastes dismayed at all the oppression he saw, and the world we live in today is no different. Is despair the only response, or is there another perspective? Listen as we explore how the gospel changes our perspective on affliction and work.
Humanity often cries out for justice. The Preacher is perplexed by the unjust acts he has witnessed, but the God of the Bible will set all wrongs right in His judgment. Until then, Christians can rejoice in knowing God is perfectly good while remaining perfectly just.
God not only puts the puzzle of life together, but He also designed it before the foundation of the world. Trust Him in all things, rejoice, and count it all as joy.
Where has the time gone? We often ask as life passes by. The Preacher in Ecclesiastes 3 reveals the seasons of rest and unrest. Regardless of the difficulty or the delight, God’s word shows that Christ is in everything. Rest in Him.
Work is hard, and the Preacher of Ecclesiastes provides no antidote to the difficulty we find in work. Is there any joy in toil under the sun? For those who please God, the answer is yes. But who can please God?
After obtaining pleasure, power and possessions, the Preacher of Ecclesiastes turns to wisdom as a potential source of meaning and remembrance. Should wisdom be the goal of our lives, or is it as fleeting as everything else under the sun?
Dispute all the pursuits under the sun; the preacher comes up empty. But there is hope, a more excellent Solomon, and His name is Jesus.
What is the Gospel? Many say it is simply "Christ died for our sins", but what does that mean and how does it get us to the end of the redemptive narrative God is telling of the earth?
Where can you find real hope? Everyone wants it, and we can become overwhelmed by the million different options the world claims to have. However, there is a genuine hope that goes beyond political promises, catchy advertisements, and everything in between. Our hope is Christ Jesus.
What is the meaning of life? What value can we derive from our labor? In a sermon about the dark side of life “under the sun”, we find that we have only one true hope.
Whether we accomplish much or very little, why does it even matter if we know we will one day die? Ecclesiastes begins with what seems to be despair. Even if we achieve all this world has to offer, it remains meaningless apart from Christ.
As Christians, should we pursue social justice? What does that even mean? Does the world have it right, or is there another way to think about it? This week, we engage with these hard questions and consider the Christian’s responsibility to do justice and kindness toward others.
In this last section of Obadiah, we are met with a prophecy which has not yet been fulfilled. How might we think about it? Should we expect its fulfillment in our lifetime? Sometimes the answer is simply, “We don’t know.” But what we do know is that God always fulfills his promises!
In this short passage, the Lord pronounces judgment on Edom for their participation in the persecution of Israel. But why single Edom out? Why was their punishment so harsh? The answer comes down to the second greatest commandment: love your neighbor as yourself.
Pain is something we all experience. Obadiah reminds the people of God that though pain may be temporary present, the Lord is ever-present.
God reveals the hearts of the Edomites by exposing their pride and reminds the Israelites that He is the God who perserves His people.
Genesis 19 reveals that though justification is given, holiness must still be pursued. It is in that pursuit that the joy of the Lord is acquired. Remember Lot.
As we close out 1 Corinthians, we continue to plumb the depths of Paul’s final words to the Corinthians in this letter. Be watchful, be steadfast, be courageous, be strong, love well, and love Jesus together. That is life and church by the book.
In the beginning of 1 Corinthians, Paul says, “For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (1 Cor 4:15) As a good father, even in his parting words, Paul seeks to teach his spiritual children. In this sermon, we’ll look at these parting words and seek to uncover the truths buried just beneath the surface.
Money can be a touchy subject in the church. What should we make of giving? Does God still command it? If so, how much? As Paul begins to close the first letter to Corinth, he leaves them with wisdom regarding these popular questions.
As we close out this chapter in 1 Corinthians, we are brought up to the highest point for a view of the peace that is to come: death is defeated and Christ reigns victorious. Fueled that future hope, we are then called down the mountain to steadfast ministry in the valley.
King Nebuchadnezzar was a man who believed he was the maker and sovereign one over his kingdom. In His mercy, God humbled this king and revealed to him the King above all other kings.
In this passage, Paul gives the narrowest glimpse into what resurrection life will be like. While he doesn’t satisfy our curiosity completely, what we can glean from this passage is that life in the world to come will be an extension of what we know from this life. Yet the nature of that new life will be so new, so much better, and so much more than this life, and we will live it with unending joy in the presence of God.
The Christian life isn’t easy, but it would be pointless if our hope didn’t extend beyond this life. In this sermon, we are reminded that there is a hope in life after death — a hope that lives as surely as we will live in eternity — and his name is Jesus.
Chapter 15 begins with the vital importance of the resurrection of Christ Jesus. Our faith, preaching and life are contingent on the reality of His resurrection.
Numbers 22-24 share a miraculous story of a man overcome by greed and a desire for honor. Though he leads the people of Israel into sin, God takes the curse and turns it into a blessing.
While the world seems to be falling into more chaos and disorder, God remains true to his character: he is the God of order, and that order brings peace. In this passage, we learn about God’s good design for the family and the church. As we live according to that design, we display God’s character and glorify him before the world.
