This sermon is situated in the truth that every person has foundations, crowns, and teachers. Foundations are the things and/or people we stand on that enable us to live the lives we lead. Crowns are the things we consider to be the pinnacle of beauty and honour in our lives. Teachers are the people and/or resources we stand alongside that teach & advise us on life.

This passage encourages us to put on the unfadingly beautiful crown of the Lord Jesus Christ rejecting the fading crown of pride. This is evident in whether we give God the honour and praise for all that is good in our lives. We are also encouraged to make the Word of God our primary and most significant teacher. For what could be better than the very words of God himself. Finally, we are encouraged to make our only foundation the secure cornerstone of Jesus Christ. There is no other foundation we can stand on that will be as secure, majestic, and eternally glorious as this. 

This sermon addresses the question of where can we find hope and comfort in times of trouble? It is found in meditating on and rejoicing in who God is! In this chapter God is presented in four different ways.

Firstly, God is the sword wielding dragon slayer. In the present he keeps Satan under his authority and all his actions are subject to God's permission. However, God's supreme authority will be most evident at the end of time when Satan is slayed once and for all condemned to eternity in hell. 

Secondly, God is the gardener/keeper of the vineyard. He actively tends to us and seeks our protection. 

Thirdly, God is the discipliner, who allows his people to experience temporary affliction to learn things. This pruning process allows us to grow in our relationship with him. 

Finally, God is the gatherer. He will gather up all his people at the end of time and usher us into the most glorious family time. A place where there is no more affliction, we can truly be ourselves, and participate in the glorious worship of our majestic King. 

We can be sure we will face afflictions and trouble in this life. But what a great hope and comfort we have during these times when we fix our gaze upon our God! 

This sermon encourages us to receive God's forgiveness fully today! To move on from carrying around our shame and guilt of not being good enough. Instead, laying down these thoughts at the cross fully accepting the freedom Jesus has won for us and living in this truth. 

It also encourages us to fully forgive ourselves. To no longer dwell on the sinful things we have done in our lives that evoke emotions of guilt and shame. God's righteous wrath for these things was satisfied on the cross where Jesus Christ took it upon himself. To continue living in guilt and self-punishment is to reject the Gospel that proclaims Christians are free from the consequences. 

Once we have received this life transforming good news we are not to sit down and rest on our laurels. We are instead instructed and tasked to share & proclaim this good news in all areas of our lives. For how can we not share this good news of a loving Lord & Saviour who forgives all of our sin!

This sermon unpacks the following seven themes situated within this poetic and prophetic chapter; Salvation, Faith & Trust, Proud are Humbled, Desiring God & His Glory, Judgment upon the Wicked, The Whispered Prayers of the Saints, and Closed Up Doors. 

These themes display a powerful contrast between the life & outcome of the saint and the sinner.

This chapter encourages us to remember and declare that God's perfect plan is always being outworked. Both in good and bad circumstances we can trust in a faithful God! Let us focus on God the one who sustains and is worthy of our praise. 

It also includes an invitation to a majestic feast. The feast of the Lamb of God, Jesus himself. A feast that has us dwell on what Jesus has done for us, how he has rescued us from our sin, and imputed his righteousness on us. The most glorious of feasts that is incomparable and never leaves us hungry.

We know the victory is certain! But death has not yet been swallowed up and will not be until Jesus returns. So, the instruction to Christians, is to wait! We must wait upon God faithfully, baring reproach for his name, imitating Jesus' example. 

This chapter speaks of how our human behaviour has corrupted the good creation God made. Therefore, a righteous God, must deliver judgement in response to this corrupt and sinful behaviour.

Yet, intertwined within this chapter of judgement to come, is a joyful and hopeful song. This is the song sung by those within the everlasting covenant. They will be spared judgement because of the beautiful, sacrificial love of Jesus Christ demonstrated on the cross. This song sings of Gods majesty, glory, beauty and faithfulness. 

So, will you as the chapter outlines fall into the loving arms of Jesus Christ and in doing so become part of this covenant? Or will you stagger like a drunkard into eternal judgement?

It is clear from these verses that no-one except the Father knows when the world will end with Jesus' return! And perhaps this is the wrong question to ask. Instead a better question is how can we be ready for when it does?

This sermon unpacks the double fulfilment of these verses. There is one area of fulfilment to be found in the destruction of the temple in 70ad. But there is also future fulfilment to be found and completed when Christ returns. 

There is lots going on in our world today, earthquakes, famines, wars, and rumours of wars. But these verses encourage us to not be alarmed as the end is not yet and we will not miss it. Consequentially, we should expect persecution, tribulation, and perhaps even martyrdom in this life. However, we are called to endure, stirring up our love for Jesus, and continuing to proclaim the good news of the gospel to the ends of the earth. We are also warned to beware of false messiah's that will come. They may do signs and wonders that may indicate their authenticity. But we know that when Jesus returns it will be like no other event we have ever seen or experienced. 

At the heart of these verses, is a call to trust only in God! For he alone is the only one we can trust and depend upon in all things.

This follow up sermon is grounded in the secure foundation that as Christians we are called to be generous with our finances because the God we follow has been so incredibly generous to us! Our financial generosity is an outworking of the amazing grace we have generously been lavished with. 

It isn't about giving a set amount or percentage. But instead following biblical instructions to give generously, sacrificially, proportionately, freely, integrally, and cheerfully. As we do this, we will live out the greatest commandment, to love the Lord God with all of our devotion, including with our finances. 

The sermon concludes with a range of practical wisdom on how we can do this.