The world we live in is primed for human achievement and a never-ending barrage of opportunity for the glory of man.  For those who don't believe in God, they have had to redefine their purpose on earth, but yet can only live for today with no hope for tomorrow.  The endless need for success will leave them without rest and a denial the vain reality of human striving. For the Christian, our work on earth can not only lead to satisfying happiness, but it has been designed by God to be united with His eternal plan.

In the Word of God the book of Ecclesiastics evaluates all modern expressions of humanistic philosophy. It is impressive that there is truly nothing "new" under the sun. Of all human questions the greatest remains, “What happens after death?”

"Chasing after the wind" is an expression to describe the fruitless results of striving in vain and working towards that which ultimately never satisfies.  The story inside the book of Ecclesiastics is one which examines the question, "what would it be like to live and define ourselves without God?"

The kindness of an invitation is God's way of drawing us towards Himself.  We are offered the most gracious of invitations as we reach the very end of the Bible, with Jesus final words for the churches.  This final petition will serve as a model for how we too can best present the gospel by sharing what has first been offered to us as an invitation.

The story of the Bible centers around the person of Jesus Christ as God's solution for the sins of mankind.  He is in every respect the one who has rescued us from the mess we've made.

The task of foreign mission has at its goal the establishment of healthy local churches that are lead by members of that specific people-group and culture.  The bridge that spans these efforts are Spirit-led and empowered Christians who are willing to go and proclaim the good news: men and women who seek to become all things to all people that they may win some.

The role of a disciple is defined by Jesus in His final words to His followers. But He doesn’t overwhelm them with a responsibility that they must shoulder by themselves or in their own ability. The deficiencies that are present in all of us are solved by God’s gracious gift of His Spirit, to be the power and enabler of our witness.

The message of the gospel is one that we not only get to share, but we get to have a share in. What this means is that God has purpose His church on earth to keep spreading the message of reconciliation and preach the good news to all of creation. The necessary component to continue and complete this story is faith.

The resurrected Jesus calls his disciples to a mountain in Galilee to give them his final command. Jesus’ last words to his disciples give us the direction that God expects from us as the next generation of disciples.

The picture of a loving and Godly father is one that is hard to find on today’s flatscreens and cable boxes.  But the image we see in Jesus is that of a loving Heavenly Father who not only sends, but also equips for His mission.