In this series, we have been looking at encounters that various people had with Jesus. This week, Pastor Brad examines an interesting conversation between Jesus and a religious leader named Nicodemus. Jesus’ Temple visit (ch. 2) made an impression on the rulers and chief priests, so much so that one of them sought out the […]

This week, we continue our Humankind series, looking at encounters that Jesus had with different individuals while he was on earth. This week, Pastor Brad examines a story about Jesus’ interaction with a leper. After a busy season of healing and ministry in Capernaum, Jesus decides to move on to another town. It’s there that […]

In Luke chapter 7, we see two encounters that Jesus has with two individuals who, in some ways, could not be more different. The first story is about a centurion, a person with great power, authority, and means. The second is about a poor widow who was at the bottom of society’s ladder. Despite their […]

Our culture presents a false dichotomy: someone must be either religious (that’s bad) or they are spiritual (that’s good). The only alternative seems to be avoiding the question altogether. In the first message in this series, we see a third way. Jesus invites his first followers to “come and see.” He is okay with them […]

In this final week of the Ecclesiastes series, we get to see how the author of this book concludes his message. He implores his readers to remember their creator while they are still young, to take advantage of the time they have been given here on earth, and see it as a gift. They’re to […]

Throughout this series on the book of Ecclesiastes, we have seen the writer wrestle with two tensions. On the one hand, the author reminds us that everything in our lives is ultimately futile and temporary, like vapor. On the other hand, he also tells us that the best thing we can do is simply enjoy […]

This week’s message looks at our relationship with God and the circumstances within which we experience him. Ecclesiastes chapter 5 recommends a humble posture before God, where we listen more than speak. That requires stillness within and silence without. However, we are to trust His Word and obey once we hear from him. It’s the […]

This week’s message looks at chapter 4. This chapter generally focuses on some of the frustrations and attitudes around work. Verses 5-6 include three interesting references to hand postures. A person can either fold their hands in laziness, use their hands to grasp everything they can, or simply have their hands open to receive what […]

In Ecclesiastes 3, we see “the Teacher” reflect about time. He contemplates two categories, time and eternity, examining their impact on human life. Within the realm of time, change is a constant. If things are good, something bad, or unpleasant, will eventually come our way. If our circumstances are bad, we can take heart because […]

This week is our first study in the book of Ecclesiastes. It’s wisdom literature, but it’s unlike any other wisdom literature in the Bible like Proverbs, for example. Most wisdom literature offers instructions for right living that typically yield good results, with foolish living leading to bad outcomes. However, in Ecclesiastes, the author is speaking […]