Pastor Andy brings the message, “Grace for 2023” from John 1:16-18. What do we want to focus on as a church and as individuals this coming year? What will define us? This year, let's be defined by Grace.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Jesus Above All." In Mark 9:1-13, we see the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain and a voice from heaven declaring Him to be the Beloved Son. Clearly, Jesus' exalted status is being proclaimed, but it's Peter who unknowingly says that Jesus is on par with Elijah and Moses. How often do we fail to see Jesus' glory and then place Him right alongside (or below) other good things?
Pastor Andy brings the message, "Identity and Mission" from Mark 8:27-9:1. Mark 8:29 is the watershed moment of the gospel: Peter confesses Jesus is the Messiah. The disciples finally understand Jesus' identity. Immediately, Jesus begins to reveal his mission. With the disciples, we will begin to see Jesus' identity and mission as inseparable. And his identity and mission have ramifications on the cost of discipleship.
Pastor Luke brings the message, "The Power of the Church" from Acts 12. There are times when it seems like the church will be snuffed out like a struggling flame, or that the oppression and persecution will grow to a point when the darkness will overcome it. Yet, we are reminded in Acts 12 that the power of the church does not rest in the people of the church, but in the object of their faith.
Pastor Nate brings the message from Ecclesiastes 11-12. As Solomon begins his closing statements to the book of Ecclesiastes, he specifically addresses young people with several nuggets of wisdom. In Sunday's sermon, we'll take the same approach by encouraging young people to pursue Biblical joy and to remember their Creator.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Enjoying the Good Times During the Bad." At the beginning of chapter 8 Solomon shares the wisdom that is needed when living with a less than ideal government and culture. Pretty pertinent for Christians. Last week Nate mentioned that we would make it through chapters 8-9, but he's taking that back and preaching on Ecclesiastes 8:1-15.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "When God Doesn’t Make Sense” from Ecclesiastes 7:15-29. Wouldn’t it be nice if life was like a recipe? Put in all the right ingredients, cook it up at the right temperature, and everything turns out well! Life isn’t that way, and Solomon vocalizes the confusion. That being said, how we should proceed “when life doesn’t make sense” is what we aim to understand .
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Enjoying the Gifts from God." In Ecclesiastes 5-6 we see that the pursuit of wealth and expectation that it will give satisfaction is empty. Instead, enjoy what God has already given you, whether it's work, food and drink, or the money He has provided. This passage teaches us that God is looking out for your enjoyment!
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Reverence in the House of God" from Ecclesiastes 5:1-7. Does it seem that many church services have taken on a man-centric atmosphere? In Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 we find that there is wisdom in approaching God with reverence. Our worship should be governed by God's greatness.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "God's Set Times" from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. In chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes Solomon asks us to consider the timing of just about everything in life...being born and dying, planting and harvesting, weeping and laughing, etc., etc. What he's getting at is that these occasions and rhythms happen in God's timing. He is the One who determines when all things take place. And since that's the case, ought we not to be in awe of God?
Pastor Nate brings the message, "A Quest for Enjoyment" from Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26. Do you think that if you had more "thing" in life you would be a happier person? Do you think there would be more joy? As we study the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon tests those waters for us. Over and over again we are brought back to this reality: we find our enjoyment in life when we walk with God.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Emptiness of Work Apart from God" from Ecclesiastes 1:1-11. This is the beginning of a new sermon series in the book of Ecclesiastes where Solomon wastes no time in warning us of an empty life. His first concern is that people apply themselves to their work, but at the end of their lives they are left with nothing meaningful. How many people get to the end of their lives and quietly think, "I wasted my life"? Ecclesiastes will help us think more Biblically about a life of Godly fulfillment and meaning.
