Success, by secular standards, can't satisfy us. We need to have higher aspirations than accumulating material wealth, pleasure, or other measures of earthly accomplishment. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses what King Solomon and the book of Proverbs have to say about living a successful life. King Solomon was one of the richest men in history, yet he wrote in Ecclesiastes that all his wealth and life experiences were worth nothing. Pastor Allen explains the real measurements of success we should be looking for in our lives, and he explores why we can trust God—and why we should aim to be people God can trust. Proverbs tells us the voice of folly is loud, so let's train our ears to hear wisdom when she speaks.

Our choices deliver outcomes to our lives, and the book of Proverbs shows us the decisions that lead to blessings—and those that lead to curses. So, why wouldn't we choose behaviors that bring God's blessings? In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson shares what Proverbs teaches us about abundance and poverty. He discusses the importance of work and generosity, as well as the biblical definition of abundance. It can be easy to slip into laziness or selfishness, but Proverbs tells us clearly what the products are of those behaviors. God's character is revealed in His Word, and in this book of wisdom, He tells us the right choices to make. Let's listen to His guidance!

What if we could know what decision to make when we're at a crossroads? What if we could know what mistakes not to make? What if we could know the ending at the beginning? In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses the book of Proverbs, how to read it, and the wisdom and direction we can find inside it. The seasons we're in are frightening, but God gives us guidance for how we can live in His peace and safety. Proverbs reveals to us the consequences of our actions—good or bad—and it shares the promises God makes to us when we choose to listen to Him and value what He values. Let's make it our goal to understand what He will bless and reward, and then walk in that wisdom.

A system that rewards everyone the same, regardless of behavior, is not consistent with the teachings of Scripture. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses biblical perspectives on four topics relating to our resources: wealth, pride, generosity, and work. Money isn't morally good or bad, so we need the guidance of God's Word to develop a healthy understanding of how to manage the possessions we've been temporarily entrusted with. Envy is at the root of many socialist ideas in our culture today, but God cares far more about the formation of our characters than making us happy—and following His will, not our own emotions, is the best way to find blessings in our lives.

Baptism—a public declaration of faith—can be understood as a spiritual line in the sand where we declare we intend to cooperate with the Lord. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses how we can know God and be at peace with Him. God is sovereign, all-knowing, and all-powerful, and knowing His character should foster respect for Him. Pastor Allen shares how we've all fallen short of God's intentions for our lives, but we can find righteousness and reconciliation through faith in Christ. A relationship with the Lord means we submit to His will, and that includes being baptized. Let's celebrate with those who have chosen to take that step!

As our nation's economy struggles and people's love of money intensifies around us, understanding the Lord's will for our resources can sustain us through the chaos. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses God's plan for abundance in our lives. He clarifies the Bible's definition of abundance, and he shares what Scripture has to say about our priorities. Comparison, discontentment, and envy can creep into our lives if we're not careful, but God's design for resting in His provision can keep us satisfied and stress-free. Instead of looking to an economic model to guarantee our security, peace comes when we remember this fact: God is sovereign over everything. It's all His.

When God puts an invitation in front of us, it's not a casual thing—it's a life-altering proposition. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses the personal choice we make to accept God's invitations to a better way of living. Participating in His Kingdom is an individual decision, one that requires accountability and produces transformation. Pastor Allen shares about the uniqueness of Jesus and the need each of us have for salvation. Throughout the Bible, God's Word points to His provision for us, but it's up to us to accept His invitations. When we obey Him, we may think we're doing things for God, but in reality, He's doing something for us.

When we obey God by being baptized, God meets us and responds to our obedience. Baptism is something God does for more than something we do for Him. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses the invitations God holds out to us and the importance of accepting those opportunities. He teaches specifically on water baptism, its history, and what it symbolizes: repentance, a burial and resurrection, and the beginning of a new life in Christ. Jesus Himself was baptized, and He taught His followers to do the same. If we want our lives to be transformed, then we need to take hold of every opportunity God presents us to cooperate with Him—beginning with being baptized into His Kingdom.

The Christian life can be summed up in just two words: follow Jesus. Our relationship with the person of Jesus is more important than anything else, and we should be in dogged pursuit of Him. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses developing a tenacious faith: being courageously determined to pursue God, regardless of our circumstances. He draws from the life of Caleb, whose name means "dog" in Hebrew, to display a pattern we can follow in our own lives. Loyalty to Christ, living by faith, and always desiring nearness to Jesus are qualities we should strive to develop. As any dog owner knows, a dog's mantra is "where you go, I go"—and that should be our mantra, too, as we follow after Christ.

Jesus is the bridge between the eternal realm of God and the limited existence of humanity. Following Jesus and pursuing science are not mutually exclusive ideas—in fact, they can inform one another. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses how we need to rely on the help and authority of God and His angels to bring light into the darkness and lawlessness of our current culture as we move toward the End of the Age. Pastor Allen teaches about the spiritual realms that impact the world we experience through our senses, and he explains how the supernatural and the sciences don't conflict. The problems we think are political or cultural are actually spiritual, but we're not alone in the battle. There is an all-powerful God, He loves us, and He will help us.