Pastor Brian Schwertley unpacks Paul's opening words of gratitude for the Thessalonian believers, revealing the marks of genuine faith, laboring love, and steadfast hope in Christ. Paul demonstrates how thanksgiving should be a constant posture in prayer, recognizing that salvation and perseverance are entirely the work of God's sovereign grace. The Christian life is not passive but marked by faith-driven works, sacrificial love, and endurance in the face of trials. Additionally, this passage affirms the assurance of election, showing that those truly in Christ will persevere because of God's sustaining power. The sermon concludes with a call to examine our faith, cultivate gratitude, and stand firm in the hope of Christ's return.

This sermon on Ecclesiastes 3:16–4:16 explores the vanity of life under the sun when detached from God's wisdom. Solomon evaluates different pursuits—pleasure, power, wealth, and labor—showing how each ultimately fails to bring lasting fulfillment. The preacher emphasizes that human courts are flawed, oppression is rampant, and even great rulers are eventually forgotten. The futility of self-centered work and the loneliness of individualism highlight the need for wisdom, which alone leads to a meaningful life. True purpose is found in knowing God, obeying His law, and building His kingdom, which alone endures beyond earthly vanity.

In Ecclesiastes 2:24–3:15, Solomon contrasts the fleeting joys of earthly pleasures with the eternal significance of God's sovereign design. While work, eating, and enjoyment have their place, true meaning is found not in temporary satisfaction but in the fear of God and His perfect timing. This sermon explores how every moment—whether joy or sorrow—fits within God's eternal plan and leads us to trust in His wisdom. Key Points: • The limits of pleasure and labor as ultimate pursuits (Ecclesiastes 2:24-26) • God's perfect timing for every event in life (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) • The eternal purpose behind God's work (Ecclesiastes 3:9-11) • The fear of God as the foundation of meaning and joy (Ecclesiastes 3:12-15) Solomon reminds us that while we can enjoy the fruit of our labor, lasting fulfillment is found in fearing God and trusting in His sovereign order. Every moment, every action, and every season is woven into His perfect plan. 📖 Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:24–3:15

In Ecclesiastes 2, Solomon embarks on a grand experiment, indulging in every pleasure and ambition the world offers—wisdom, wealth, labor, mirth—only to conclude that all is vanity, grasping for the wind. This sermon examines Solomon's pursuit of the "good life" and how his findings dismantle the false promises of worldly success. • Why wisdom alone does not satisfy (Ecclesiastes 1:16-18) • The limits of wealth, work, and pleasure in securing true joy (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11) • The inevitability of death and the futility of worldly accomplishments (Ecclesiastes 2:12-23) • The only source of lasting fulfillment and purpose (Ecclesiastes 2:24-26) Solomon's conclusion is clear: nothing apart from God provides true meaning. Join us as we explore the wisdom of Ecclesiastes and the necessity of fearing God to find lasting joy and purpose. 📖 Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:16–2:26 📅 Date: 2nd of February in the Year of our Lord 2025

In Ecclesiastes 2:12–3:8, Solomon wrestles with the limitations of human wisdom, the fleeting nature of labor, and the certainty of death. He observes that both the wise and the foolish meet the same fate, and the fruit of one's labor is left to another who may squander it. Yet, amidst this vanity, Solomon acknowledges that true enjoyment comes as a gift from God, and that all things happen according to His appointed time. Key Points: • Wisdom excels folly, but death comes for all (Ecclesiastes 2:12-16) • The emptiness of labor apart from God's purpose (Ecclesiastes 2:17-23) • True enjoyment is a gift from God, not from our toil (Ecclesiastes 2:24-26) • God's perfect timing governs all things (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) Solomon's conclusion is sobering yet hopeful: apart from God, all is vanity, but when we trust in His timing and purpose, our labor is not in vain. Join us as we reflect on the wisdom of Ecclesiastes and the necessity of living with an eternal perspective. 📖 Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:12–3:8 📅 Date: 2nd of February in the Year of our Lord 2025

In this powerful sermon from Matthew 26:36-41, Pastor Schwertley expounds on Christ's exhortation to "watch and pray" in the face of temptation. Drawing from the disciples' failure in Gethsemane and Christ's victorious response, this message highlights: • The reality of temptation—how believers are constantly confronted with sin in a world that is hostile to God. • Biblical examples of temptation and failure, including Job, David, and Peter, showing the consequences of neglecting spiritual vigilance. • Practical strategies for overcoming temptation, including self-examination, avoiding sinful influences, and standing firm on God's Word. • The role of prayer and watchfulness in guarding against the schemes of Satan and the desires of the flesh. With clarity and urgency, this sermon reminds Christians that victory over sin requires spiritual discipline, preparation, and dependence on Christ. 📖 Scriptures: Matthew 26:36-41; James 1:13-15; 1 Peter 2:11; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Galatians 5:16-17 📅 Date: January 26, 2025

In this sermon, Pastor Reece explores Ecclesiastes as a profound apologetics book, teaching us how to answer the fool wisely. Solomon contrasts the wisdom of God with the folly of worldly thinking, showing how life under the sun—without reference to God's rule—is meaningless. The sermon examines the cycle of history, the pursuit of pleasure, and the difference between true knowledge and empty vanity. • The two ways to answer a fool (Proverbs 26:4-5) • How Ecclesiastes dismantles false worldviews • The emptiness of pleasure-seeking and material success • The certainty of God's purpose and the pursuit of wisdom Join us as we grow in the knowledge of God and learn how to defend the truth with clarity and conviction. 📖 Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1 – 2:11 📅 January 26, 2025

In this introduction to 1 Thessalonians, Pastor Schwertley explores the historical and theological background of Paul's letter to the church in Thessalonica. This sermon covers: • The historical setting of Thessalonica and its importance in the Roman world. • Paul's missionary journey, the founding of the church, and the persecution it faced. • Key themes of the letter, including eschatology, sanctification, and perseverance. • The significance of Paul's greeting, emphasizing grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians is filled with exhortation, encouragement, and doctrinal clarity, reminding believers to stand firm in faith amidst trials. This sermon lays the groundwork for deeper study into the epistle and its practical implications for the Christian life. 📖 Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3; Acts 17:1-10; Ephesians 1:3; John 3:16-18 📅 Date: January 19, 2025

In this sermon, Pastor Reece delves into Ecclesiastes 1, exploring Solomon's reflections on life, wisdom, and the human condition. • Key contrast: Life "under the sun" as vanity versus life "under heaven" as meaningful. • Understanding cycles of life through the lens of God's sovereignty. • The pursuit of wisdom and the inevitable challenges it brings. Scripture Reference: Ecclesiastes 1:1-18, 12:9-14. 📅 Date: 12th of January in the Year of our Lord 2025