Of all the topics the wisdom books address, one of the most convicting pertains to the spirit. The wise in spirit are slow to anger, hard to offend and quick to bring peace.

As we pause and look back at the slow pace of wisdom and in the person of Jesus Christ, we see a pattern of lowering ourselves in humility. The more we trust in Christ, and God’s wisdom, the more we know how little we know. Proverbs help us see how deeply we need God and it shows us our need to grow in dependence on Christ, not on our own strength.

Wisdom is living in God's world, God's way. Throughout His word, God talks about the weak and the vulnerable. Justice is at part of God's way. We should care about the weak and vulnerable because God cares about the weak and vulnerable.

Proverbs tells us both life and death are in the power of the tongue. In this sermon, we consider what life-giving words sound like, and the wisdom God offers.

Over and again, Ecclesiastes reminds us that life is short and death is the end that all humanity shares. Ecclesiastes 7 teaches us how the wise can live well in this brief life.

In this series, we are looking at what it looks like to live between the two Advents—first coming of Christ and awaiting his return—and what a Christian posture looks like in the waiting. What does grace, worship and love look like in the waiting? This week we look at the topic of Peace, both the promise Christ makes his followers and what it looks like to live with Christ's peace. 

The Advent season is marked by longing and waiting in the hope of Jesus' return. In this season, the love of Christ is a gift to believers between the advents. To be a waiting people is to be a loved people, and to be a loved people is to be a loving people.

Advent reminds us that we as Christians are marked by certain distinct characteristics. Last we looked at what it looks like to be marked by Grace. This week we reflect on the characteristic of Worship—what it looks like to sing to the Lord even in the face of suffering. 

The season of Advent reminds us that even on this side of the cross, we, like the Israelites, await Jesus' return with hope and longing. This week we reflect on the concept of “Grace.” Just as we can receive Jesus dying for our sins as grace upon grace, we can draw near to God, live with joy, and offer comfort and grace to others.