Rev. James Harper preaches on Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 as part of our sermon series, "The Search: Questions of Meaning and Purpose."

Life feels increasingly uncertain, from economic instability to personal struggles, leaving us grappling with how little control we actually have. The book of Ecclesiastes addresses this human experience by revealing our finite nature through vivid imagery of unpredictable weather, falling trees, and the mystery of life itself. While human strategies often fail when our limitations collide with unexpected events, true certainty comes from understanding that God is actively involved in creation and our lives. His providence means He works through all circumstances for good, transforming how we navigate uncertainty. As society becomes more secular, the church offers unique hope to those wounded by worldly philosophies that ultimately fail to provide lasting meaning.

Rev. James Harper preaches on Ecclesiastes 5:8-20 in our sermon series, "The Search: Questions of Meaning and Purpose."

The book of Ecclesiastes reveals that money and possessions cannot provide lasting satisfaction due to our insatiable human appetite, the temporary nature of material things, and wealth's tendency to distract us from real problems. True contentment comes from grounding our satisfaction in God rather than wealth. When properly oriented, money becomes a useful tool that can contribute to happiness through funding experiences with loved ones, buying time for relationships, saving for goals, and giving generously to meaningful causes. The key is displacing money from the center of our lives and replacing it with God, trusting Him to provide for our needs while using wealth as a tool for His glory.

Rev. James Harper preaches on Ecclesiastes 4:4-8 in our series, "The Search: Questions of Meaning and Purpose."

Many people find their work unfulfilling despite professional success because they approach it from a worldly perspective. Ecclesiastes warns against two major pitfalls: creating identity through comparison with others and believing our achievements will provide lasting significance. God originally designed work to be meaningful and purposeful, but sin corrupted this plan. However, we can rediscover meaning by shifting our perspective from earthly to eternal purposes. This happens when we leverage our income for kingdom impact through generous giving, invest spiritually in the people around us, and volunteer our unique gifts in ministry. When we align our work with God's eternal kingdom, our daily jobs become platforms for lasting significance rather than empty pursuits.

Rev. James Harper preaches on Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:3 as part of our sermon series entitled, "The Search: Questions of Meaning and Purpose."

Life's greatest question - why does God allow suffering - has puzzled humanity throughout history. Despite all our advances, suffering persists, and human philosophies like stoicism, dualism, hedonism, and karma ultimately fall short of providing real answers. The Bible reveals that suffering entered through human sin, disrupting God's originally good creation. However, God hasn't remained distant from our pain. Through Jesus Christ, God entered into suffering Himself, taking on our sin and its consequences out of love. While we see only a small piece of God's plan, like viewing three inches of a tapestry being woven, we can trust that the God who creates beauty is crafting something beautiful from our circumstances.

Rev. James Harper preaches on Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 as part of our sermon series entitled, "The Search: Questions of Meaning and Purpose."

Americans rank 23rd globally in happiness despite unprecedented opportunities for pleasure and material wealth. The ancient book of Ecclesiastes reveals why our common happiness strategies fail us. Pursuing pleasure leads to a hedonistic treadmill where we need more and more to feel satisfied. Accumulating beauty and material possessions provides only temporary fulfillment. Instead, lasting happiness comes through three biblical principles: caring for our physical health as God designed, building meaningful relationships that combat loneliness, and pursuing spiritual restoration through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

Rev. Scott York preaches on Ecclesiastes 1:1-18 to begin our sermon series, "The Search: Questions of Meaning and Purpose."

Life often feels empty when we try to find meaning without God's perspective. Ecclesiastes contrasts living under the sun (without God) versus under heaven (with God's eternal view). When we seek purpose through worldly wisdom, achievements, or human philosophy alone, we encounter the same meaningless cycles described in Scripture. We were designed as eternal beings to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This dual purpose gives significance to every act of kindness, forgiveness, and sacrifice. Living with an eternal perspective transforms how we view daily choices and challenges, making even difficult Christian principles meaningful.

Rev. Andrew Dickinson preaches on Acts 11:19-30, as we remember and celebrate the Global Church.

God moves powerfully through His church in three specific ways: when the Gospel is preached without boundaries, when spiritual gifts are exercised, and when love is practiced genuinely. In Acts 11:19-30, we see this demonstrated as the early church expanded beyond Jerusalem to Antioch, where the Gospel first reached Gentiles. The church flourished as believers like Barnabas and Paul used their gifts to strengthen the new community. This growth culminated in practical love as the Antioch believers sent relief to fellow Christians in Judea during a famine. Today, we're called to participate in God's kingdom work by sharing the Gospel, using our unique gifts, and demonstrating authentic love both locally and globally.

Rev. Scott York preaches on Romans 12:9-21 in our final sermon in the "Roles of Influence" sermon series.

Romans 12:9-21 provides a blueprint for authentic Christian living in our communities. Paul emphasizes three key principles: loving genuinely without hypocrisy, abhorring evil regardless of who commits it, and seeking peace with everyone as far as it depends on us. This passage challenges the common 'Sunday Christian' mentality, calling believers to consistent faith expression throughout the week. Our community role gives us our widest sphere of influence, making it crucial that we demonstrate Christ-like love and forgiveness. The motivation for this challenging lifestyle comes from the Gospel itself—we love others sacrificially because Christ first loved us sacrificially.