Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 — Church is a place to be reshaped by the voice of God instead of our own. That means we need to listen first, then act in gratitude for what we hear—Jesus has bridged the gap between heaven and earth.

John 9:1-17 ― The Gospel shows us that even before we give voice to faith, in our spiritual blindness, surrounded by darkness, Jesus sees us—and He loves us. He is the light of the world, who has overcome the darkness.

John 8:48-59 ― We have to be willing to let go of the glory of this world if we want to receive the Glory of the next.

True freedom isn't freedom to sin, but freedom from sin. In our natural state we love what the Devil loves and do what the Devil does. But God has sent His Son to emancipate us from Sin so that we can love what God loves and do what God does.

Ecclesiastes 4 — The oppressed cry out and no one cares because we are at war with each other to become the oppressors. This is the way of the world. But there is a better way: the community life of the world above lived out now in the church.

When we ask, “Who is Jesus?” we have to really want to know. God (who sees the heart) is under no obligation to answer an insincere question. Do you really want to know? — Two Worlds: John 8:21-30.

John 8:12-20 ― Jesus is the Light of the World that has led us out of the wilderness of sin and darkness. He is producing life in us that is far greater than anything our sin has to offer.

John 7:53-8:11 ― The purpose of the Law is to catch us in our sin and show us our need for the grace of God. Only then can the law bring life, because only grace can elicit the devotion of love.

Ecclesiastes 3:16-22 reveals that our human weakness leaves us spiritually paralyzed and destined for death. Thankfully, God has judged His Son, Jesus Christ, according to our unrighteousness, so that we may never know a day without hope!

John 7:40-52 reveals how the Gospel shows us we are weak, powerless, and incapable of saving ourselves. This is great news; it frees us from the burden of earning our salvation and promises us a salvation that is powerful enough to bring the dead to life.