Delight in Grace

Today’s message from 2 Cor. 4:7-15 is titled Sacrifice Outlives Survival. Our life on this earth, as Job put it, is few days and full of trouble, but we have immortal souls. We are meant to spend eternity with our Maker. It is clear that Paul believed this truth down to his core through his willingness to take risks for Christ and live with abandon. Malcolm Muggeridge writes, “ I can say that I never knew what joy was like until I gave up pursuing happiness, or cared to live until I chose to die. For these two discoveries I am beholden to Jesus”.

Today’s message from 2 Cor. 4:7-15 is titled Sacrifice Outlives Survival. Our life on this earth, as Job put it, is few days and full of trouble, but we have immortal souls. We are meant to spend eternity with our Maker. It is clear that Paul believed this truth down to his core through his willingness to take risks for Christ and live with abandon. Malcolm Muggeridge writes, “ I can say that I never knew what joy was like until I gave up pursuing happiness, or cared to live until I chose to die. For these two discoveries I am beholden to Jesus”.

Who or what then is Master of your life? And what have you done with Jesus Christ?  For those who have placed Him on life's throne, he calls you to live out bold compassion to those around you.

P.T. Forsythe said that, “The first duty of every man is to find, not his freedom, but his master.”

Who or what then is Master of your life? And what have you done with Jesus Christ? For those who have placed Him on life's throne, he calls you to live out bold compassion to those around you. Today Pastor Rich talks about what that kind of compassion looks like from our passage in 2 Cor 4:1-6.

On Mount Sinai, Moses got a glimpse of the glory of God. and his face shone brightly. But 2 Corinthians 3:7-15 compares what Moses had to what we can have in Christ through the new covenant. Why is the new covenant superior to the Old? This is the question P. rich answers in today's msg, Let's listen in.

On Mount Sinai, Moses got a glimpse of the glory of God.  and his face shone brightly.  But 2 Corinthians 3:7-15 compares what Moses had to what we can have in Christ through the new covenant.

On Mount Sinai, Moses got a glimpse of the glory of God.  and his face shone brightly.

The power of the gospel is evident in the transformed lives of those who surrender themselves to Jesus. Ephesians 2:5 says that even when we were dead in our trespasses, God made us alive together with Christ, by grace you have been saved. That is a dramatic change. In today’s message, Pastor Rich talks about the glory of God manifested through changed lives. Our text comes from 2 Corinthians 3:1-6.

In today’s message, Pastor Rich talks about the glory of God manifested through transformed lives.

The power of the gospel is evident in the transformed lives of those who surrender themselves to Jesus.

When we surrender our lives to the Master, our Messiah, God does a work that others will notice.  Our lives can be a pleasing aroma of Christ to all who see.  In today’s message titled The Aroma of a Godward Life,  Pastor RIch digs into 2 Corinthians 2:15-17 to show how His transformative work in His people proclaims Him to be worthy of worship.

When we surrender our lives to the Master, our Messiah, God does a work that others will notice.  Our lives can be a pleasing aroma of Christ to all who see.  In today’s message titled The Aroma of a Godward Life,  Pastor RIch digs into 2 Corinthians 2:15-17 to show how His transformative work in His people proclaims Him to be worthy of worship.

When we surrender our lives to the Master, our Messiah, God does a work that others will notice.  Our lives can be a pleasing aroma of Christ to all who see.  In today’s message titled The Aroma of a Godward Life,  Pastor RIch digs into 2 Corinthians 2:15-17 to show how His transformative work in His people proclaims Him to be worthy of worship.

When we surrender our lives to the Master, our Messiah, God does a work that others will notice.  Our lives can be a pleasing aroma of Christ to all who see.  In today’s message titled The Aroma of a Godward Life,  Pastor RIch digs into 2 Corinthians 2:15-17 to show how His transformative work in His people proclaims Him to be worthy of worship.

Author Kay Warren recalls her visit to Rwanda not long after the horrific 1995 genocide that left 1 million dead.  She expected to find monsters there- men and women with leering menacing faces.  Instead she found people smiling, chatting, caring for their children, living life.  Upon her return she wrote, “There were no monsters in Rwanda, just people like you and me.” She writes, You might as well face the shameful truth:

You and I, put in the right situation, will do absolutely anything.

Given the right circumstances, I am capable of any sin. 

 All of mankind is broken- the beautiful image of God in each of us is distorted and marred by our sin nature.  The world offers a thousand fixes, but we find ourselves irreparable.  So the question is, “Can anything make a difference?Is there a remedy for broken souls?  In today’s message, Pastor Rich addresses this question from our text in 2 Corinthians 2.

Author Kay Warren recalls her visit to Rwanda not long after the horrific 1995 genocide that left 1 million dead.  She expected to find monsters there- men and women with leering menacing faces.  Instead she found people smiling, chatting, caring for their children, living life.  Upon her return she wrote, “There were no monsters in Rwanda, just people like you and me.” She writes, You might as well face the shameful truth:

You and I, put in the right situation, will do absolutely anything.

Given the right circumstances, I am capable of any sin. 

 All of mankind is broken- the beautiful image of God in each of us is distorted and marred by our sin nature.  The world offers a thousand fixes, but we find ourselves irreparable.  So the question is, “Can anything make a difference?Is there a remedy for broken souls?  In today’s message, Pastor Rich addresses this question from our text in 2 Corinthians 2

Author Kay Warren recalls her visit to Rwanda not long after the horrific 1995 genocide that left 1 million dead.  She expected to find monsters there- men and women with leering menacing faces.  Instead she found people smiling, chatting, caring for their children, living life.  Upon her return she wrote, “There were no monsters in Rwanda, just people like you and me.” She writes, You might as well face the shameful truth:

You and I, put in the right situation, will do absolutely anything.

Given the right circumstances, I am capable of any sin. 

This is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments.  Today’s message titled The Last Word, is the final message in our series on Ecclesiastes titled Living a Good Life: Making Sense of the Journey.  Let’s listen in as rich unpacks Solomon’s final thoughts for us.

In the first chapter of Proverbs, Solomon writes that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  It is meaningful that in his old age, he wraps up the book of Ecclesiastes with the same motto:  This is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments.  Today’s message titled The Last Word, is the final message in our series on Ecclesiastes titled Living a Good Life: Making Sense of the Journey.  Let’s listen in as rich unpacks Solomon’s final thoughts for us.

In the first chapter of Proverbs, Solomon writes that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  It is meaningful that in his old age, he wraps up the book of Ecclesiastes with the same motto:  This is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments.  Today’s message titled The Last Word, is the final message in our series on Ecclesiastes titled Living a Good Life: Making Sense of the Journey.  Let’s listen in as rich unpacks Solomon’s final thoughts for us.

In todays poetic passage, Solomon calls us to live an informed life, especially in our youth.

After this short life, we will meet our Creator, the One we were made for.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 urges us

: Remember your Creator

    in the days of your youth,

before the days of trouble come

    and the years approach when you will say,

    “I find no pleasure in them”

There is wisdom in living life in context of eternity, remembering the gravity of approaching death.  After this short life, we will meet our Creator, the One we were made for. 

Ecclesiastes 12:1 urges us to "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth."

You’ve Heard the expression work hard play hard.  Well, both Working and enjoying are built into life. In Ecclesiastes 11, Solomon offers us wisdom for both areas, reminding us that both must be anchored in an accurate view and submission to our Heavenly Father.

You’ve Heard the expression work hard play hard.  Well, both Working and enjoying are built into life. In Ecclesiastes 11, Solomon offers us wisdom for both areas, reminding us that both must be anchored in an accurate view and submission to our Heavenly Father.  Let's listen in.

You’ve Heard the expression work hard play hard.  Well, both Working and enjoying are built into life. In Ecclesiastes 11, Solomon offers us wisdom for both areas, reminding us that both must be anchored in an accurate view and submission to our Heavenly Father.

You’ve Heard the expression work hard play hard.  Well, both Working and enjoying are built into life God has given us. In Ecclesiastes 11, Solomon offers us wisdom for both areas, reminding us that both our work and play must be anchored in an accurate view of eternity and a submission to our Heavenly Father.

This life is a stewardship entrusted to us by our Creator.  We dare not live it out mindlessly.  Today’s passage is Ecclesiastes 10:12-20 in which Solomon calls us to discipline and grace in the way we communicate and the way we conduct our daily affairs.  Listen to Rich’s challenge to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and the life to come so that we can do the hard things in this life.

This life is a stewardship entrusted to us by our Creator.  We dare not live it out mindlessly.  Today’s passage is Ecclesiastes 10:12-20 in which Solomon calls us to discipline and grace in the way we communicate and the way we conduct our daily affairs.

This life is a stewardship entrusted to us by our Creator.  We dare not live it out mindlessly.  Today’s passage is Ecclesiastes 10:12-20 in which Solomon calls us to discipline and grace in the way we communicate and the way we conduct our daily affairs.

We are working through a study in the book of Ecclesiastes called “Living a Good LIfe: Making Sense of the Journey”.  In the last message, we saw from Ecclesiastes 9 that, in spite of our best efforts, we are not in control of our circumstances.  But we will see today from chapter 10 that there is an advantage in life for those who live with wisdom.

In the last message, we saw from Ecclesiastes 9 that, in spite of our best efforts, we are not in control of our circumstances.  But we will see today from chapter 10 that there is an advantage in life for those who live with wisdom.  Let’s listen in.

We are working through a study in the book of Ecclesiastes called “Living a Good LIfe: Making Sense of the Journey”.  In the last message, we saw from Ecclesiastes 9 that, in spite of our best efforts, we are not in control of our circumstances.  But we will see today from chapter 10 that there is an advantage in life for those who live with wisdom.  Let’s listen in.

Life offers uncertainty. We cannot control or predict our circumstances.  Yes, much about life is unknown.  So where do we go for wisdom for how to think about and engage with life and its uncertainty? Many of the voices elevated in our culture appeal to our senses and desires, but offer foolish advice.  In this message from Ecclesiastes 9:11-18, pastor Rich reminds us that we must tune in to Jesus’ quiet words of wisdom, allowing His work on our behalf to guide our choices and attitudes.

Life offers uncertainty. We cannot control or predict our circumstances.  Yes, much about life is unknown.  So where do we go for wisdom for how to think about and engage with life and its uncertainty? Many of the voices elevated in our culture appeal to our senses and desires, but offer foolish advice.  In this message from Ecclesiastes 9:11-18, pastor Rich reminds us that we must tune in to Jesus’ quiet words of wisdom, allowing His work on our behalf to guide our choices and attitudes.

Life offers uncertainty. We cannot control or predict our circumstances.  Yes, much about life is unknown.  So where do we go for wisdom for how to think about and engage with life and its uncertainty?

 Many of the voices elevated in our culture appeal to our senses and desires, but offer foolish advice.  In this message from Ecclesiastes 9:11-18, pastor Rich reminds us that we must tune in to Jesus’ quiet words of wisdom, allowing His work on our behalf to guide our choices and attitudes.

What does it look like to live it out in light of eternity? Let's listen as Rich answers this question from the text.

In this message, Pastor Rich reminds us that Whatever difference we can make for eternity happens now.  This life is a gift entrusted to us for a time.

In Ecclesiastes 9, King Solomon confronts the idea of death and offers us wisdom about how to live in a way that prepares us for death

Solomon has some key advice for us about how to enjoy life.  In this message, Pastor Rich looks at Ecclesiastes 8:14-17 to give us truths for facing the beauty and pain of life with God-honoring success. Let’s listen in.

Solomon has some key advice for us about how to enjoy life.  In this message, Pastor Rich looks at Ecclesiastes 8:14-17 to give us truths for facing the beauty and pain of life with God-honoring success.

Solomon has some key advice for us about how to enjoy life.  In this message, Pastor Rich looks at Ecclesiastes 8:14-17 to give us truths for facing the beauty and pain of life with God-honoring success.