Sermons

What is the secret to Christians redeeming their community, churches, the world? Is there a secret to having wealthy, health, victory over our struggles? The Ecclesiastes says that wisdom is what will bring better outcomes in these areas. Does it?

According to Rev. Jared Beaird, the passage from today shows that the creation is good and can be enjoyed. However, the creation must not be worshipped. This passage shows us how to enjoy creation without worshipping it.

People continually come up with new ideas for creating utopianism by techoology, philosophy, education, etc. The Christian do have a cultural mandate to raise families, bless their communities, etc. We must, however, remember the words of Ecclesiastes.

The grave stone has two dates on it, with the dash between them summarizing our life. That is how meaningless and miserable our life is because of the course. While we still have cultural mandates to work, have children and build families, that is done in pain and--often--with no satisfaction. Our only comfort is that because of Jesus's work, the dash is not permanent.

Reformed soteriology--teachings about salvation and justification--can be summarized with "simul justus et pecator", a Latin phrase meaning "simultaneously just and sinner". How does this view of salvation stand up to the scrutiny of the Scripture texts like 2 Samuel, where David says that God rewarded him for being righteous?

It is good to follow the wisdom found in the Scriptures. It is good to do what is right in life, word hard and receive the fruits of our labors. However, does it always follow that good actions lead to good results? What do we do when things do not work out in our life or the life of others? What advice can give? The truth is absolute, but the context of life is messy. When a person has troubles in life and no answers, this is not an indication that they are not a believer because the Gospel, is the one constant anchor, even when nothing else makes sense.

Pastor Jared says that the Scriptures should be read as theological history, not history written in contemporary style. This theology can be told as an old story of the Gospel or the new self-help story.

Belief in the wrath of God has been lost on the moderns. The moderns also see themselves as individual, not represented by anyone. In this passage, however, Jared Beaird shows that Scripture believes that not only is God angry for our actual sins, but also for the original one. When representative of the Israelites sinned, God's wrath turned against all those he represented. Likewise, God's is terribly angry at us for the original sin of Adam, our representative. Jesus, the new representative, gets back in God's favor all those that believe unto Him.

Jeff Karel explains that Gospel should be delivered to everyone, promiscuously.