In this sermon, Pastor Todd explains how Christians are very similar to the Old Testament saints who waited on their promised Messiah. As they waited, so we wait, but no longer from the perspective of promise, but that of fulfillment. When our King comes again, we will be transformed into His likeness as we watch the ravenous effects of sin and death finally dismantled, undone, and remade.

This Christmas season we begin a new series called, Wonder in Waiting. In this first sermon, Pastor Todd talks about the long awaited King as revealed in the scriptures. By tracing the anticipation of the coming king from Genesis 3 through Christ's arrival, we see that the Bible is a united story that points in one primary direction—to King Jesus.

Just as the Old Testament people of God waited for the arrival of their King, we are also waiting for our King to return. However, our waiting is filled with wonder because the Old Testament saints waited from the vantage point of promise, where we wait from the vantage point of fulfillment.

In the last book of our wisdom series we come to the character of Job. He is described as a blameless man who fears the Lord and turns from evil. So it appears that Job lives the life that the book of Proverbs encourages all of us to live. It would seem then, that abundant blessing would also accompany Job. And it does until one day when it all falls apart.

Satan comes to oppose Job by putting his allegiance to the test. Satan believes that Job is only blameless because God has blessed him, so with God's approval, Satan begins to sift him. In all of Job's trials He remains steadfast. It is a remarkable display not only of Job's character, but the God who upholds him.

In this sermon we see the life of wisdom proved. The wise person is not one who somehow avoids suffering in their life through good decisions, but one who turns to God in their suffering and recognizes that the only true faith is a tested faith.

If you would like to hear more about what it means to have faith or would like to respond to this sermon in some way, you can reach us at [email protected].

Two of the great equalizers in life that no one escapes are the steady march of time and death. We currently find ourselves in a moment where maintaining our bodies through healthy eating, exercise, and skin care is all the rage. We age and yet we continually try to hide the effects of our age, hoping to appear "young" for as long as possible. This is striving after the wind.

In the final block of instruction, the critic in Ecclesiastes encourages us to remember our Creator in the days of our youth.—to fear him, live for him, and delight in the gift of youth. However, we should each adjust our expectations because youth is fleeting. The writer closes out the book of a poetic and vivid description of a decay and ultimately death that can live us feeling hopeless.

But the hope of the Gospel is a hope that is beyond the sun. What we know is that death and decay, though real and potentially scary, are not all-powerful. They, much like our lives under the sun, are transient and soon passing away. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:55, "Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"

There is hope beyond the sun in Jesus Christ. If you would like to know more about the hope found in him or if you'd like to respond to this message in some way, you can reach out to us at [email protected]

We were created for work and it is good for our souls. There are a handful of Proverbs that teach us the inherent goodness of work. Yet, work that is wrongly understood can be corrupted. When you turn to work for identity, you can neglect the most important things like your faith and your family. When work is connected to identity and your work fails or you lose your job, then your identity goes with it.

Work in and of itself cannot bring lasting fulfillment but will only exaggerate the problem of our brokenness. However, when we find our identity in Christ, then suddenly everything that we do, including our work, becomes worship. Worship at your place of employment is working in such a way that brings Him glory in your effort, your attitude and your actions.

In Christ there is lasting fulfillment to such a degree that even our work is redeemed for His glory.

Do you have questions or are you interested in responding to the message in some way? Reach out to us at [email protected].

We were made for pleasure and to delight in all that God has created for the glory of God. But what happens when pleasure becomes an end in itself and we neglect to enjoy the gifts God has given in the light of His presence? Self-Indulgence.

In this sermon, Pastor Todd Gray explains that seeking pleasure and purpose, separate from God is vanity, but seeking God in Christ will result in pleasure and purpose.

If you would like to ask questions or respond to this message in some way, please reach out to us at [email protected]