This message is the fourth in the series that Pastor Steve and Pastor Mary will be doing with regard to our Mission Statement and Values.
 
Our Mission Statement is:
To glorify God by being disciples who make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Our Values are that we are a people called to…
KNOW the Word through worship and study,
LIVE the Word at home and in the community,
SHARE the Word, through service and mission.

In this sermon Pastor Mary will be focusing on the first value, KNOW the Word through worship and study.

I.   Glorying through Difficulties - Luke 2:1
II.  Thoughtful Reflection and Worship - Luke 2:19-20
III.  A Shout of Salvation
IV.  A Challenge

1. Mary: Fear of Personal Responsibility - Luke 1:26-38
2. Shepherds: Fear of Personal Unworthiness - Luke 2:8-16
3. Joseph: Fear of Personal Cost - Matthew 1:18-25
4. Herod: Fear of Personal Jealousy - Matthew 2:1-3
5. A Challenge

This message is the third in a series of five that Pastor Steve and Pastor Mary will be doing with regard to our Mission Statement and Values.
 
Our Mission Statement is:
To glorify God by being disciples who make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Our Values are that we are a people called to…
KNOW the Word through worship and study,
LIVE the Word at home and in the community,
SHARE the Word, through service and mission.

Today, Pastor Steve will be focusing on the first value, KNOW the Word through worship and study.

Sermon Outline:
I. Enjoy Life - Ecclesiastes 9:7-9
II. Work Hard - Ecclesiastes 9:10-12
III. Heed Wisdom - Ecclesiastes 9:13-18
IV. A Challenge

I. We Suffer but Are Secure - Ecclesiastes 9:1
A. We cannot explain the why of suffering
B. We can endure suffering

II. We Face Death but Not Alone - Ecclesiastes 9:2-3a

III. We See Ourselves but It Is Not Pleasant - Ecclesiastes 9:3b

IV. We Have Hope, but It Is Not Forever - Ecclesiastes 9:4-6
A. Where there is life, there is hope
B. When you die, there is no longer the enjoyment of life

V. A Challenge

I. Mystery: Crime Seems to Pay - Ecclesiastes 8:10-11

A. Honor comes to the wicked

B. Is Delay in judgment a sign of favor?

II. Mystery: Appearances Can Be Deceiving - Ecclesiastes 8:12-12

A. God rewards those who fear Him

B. God will judge sin despite the delay

III. Mystery: How Can I Enjoy Life in the Midst of Injustice - Ecclesiastes 8:14-15

IV. Mystery: There Are Things You Can't Know - Ecclesiastes 8:16-17

V. A Challenge

This message is the second in a series of five that Pastor Steve and Pastor Mary will be doing with regard to our Mission Statement and Values.
 
Our Mission Statement is:
To glorify God by being disciples who make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Our Values are that we are a people called to…
KNOW the Word through worship and study,
LIVE the Word at home and in the community,
SHARE the Word, through service and mission.

Today, Pastor Mary will be preaching on the second part of the mission statement, “…disciples who make disciples of Jesus Christ”.

1. Why Obey Government? - Ecclesiastes 8:2-5a
   1. We are obligated by an oath of allegiance
   2. Ruler has authority to enforce what he commands
2. Can We Ever Disobey? - Ecclesiastes 8:5b-6
3. Are There Limitations to Authority? - Ecclesiastes 8:7-9
   1. No one has authority over the spirit
   2. No one has authority over death

      4. A Challenge
                a. We are to pray for our leaders
                b. We are to give honor to our leaders

We are thankful to our Missions Conference special guest Dr. Fred Van Gorkom, Regional Director of Africa at Christian Veterinary Mission. Fred assists with missionary recruitment and placement of veterinary professionals for both short term and long term missions. He and his wife Vicki (along with their 4 children) were church planters and veterinarians in Ethiopia for 25 years. Fred has a passion to challenge people to pray, go, or partner in the Great Commission.

We are thankful to our Missions Conference special guest Dr. Fred Van Gorkom, Regional Director of Africa at Christian Veterinary Mission. Fred assists with missionary recruitment and placement of veterinary professionals for both short term and long term missions. He and his wife Vicki (along with their 4 children) were church planters and veterinarians in Ethiopia for 25 years. Fred has a passion to challenge people to pray, go, or partner in the Great Commission.

Sermon Outline:
Called to life, from helpless death  (Ephesians 2:1-6, 9-10)
Called to die—to self and to this world (Galatians 2:20, 1 John 2:15)
Called to follow (Luke 9: 23-25)
Called to Go!  (Matthew 28:18-20)
Discerning the Call and What it Looks Like
Confirming the call. You are called.

This message is the first in a series of five that Pastor Steve and Pastor Mary will be doing with regard to our Mission Statement and Values.
 
Our Mission Statement is:
To glorify God by being disciples who make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Our Values are that we are a people called to…
KNOW the Word through worship and study,
LIVE the Word at home and in the community,
SHARE the Word, through service and mission.

In this message Pastor Steve will be preaching on the first part of the mission statement, to glorify God by being disciples.

Main Idea: My life is not precious to me, as long as I finish the work God gave me.
Bible Passage: Acts 20:24

I. Wisdom Provides Paths toward Living - Ecclesiastes 7:15-18

II. Wisdom Shows Strength and Faults - Ecclesiastes 7:19-22

III. Wisdom Shows the Incomprehensibility of God - Ecclesiastes 7:23-29

IV. A Challenge

I. Lessons Learned in the Funeral Home - Ecclesiastes 7:1-4

A. A good name is better than possessions

B. Our funeral is better than our birthday

II. Lessons Learned in the Home of a Friend - Ecclesiastes 7:5-9

A. The rebuke of the wise is better than the praise of a fool

B. It is better to wait for God's timing than to be impatient

III. Lessons Learned in the House of the Wise Man - Ecclesiastes 7:10-14

A. Better to accept the present than to wish for the good-old days

B. Wisdom is better than brute strength

C. Better to trust God than to trust self

IV. A Challenge

I. Stewardship vs. Forfeiture - Ecclesiastes 6:1-6

A. Resources

B. Family

C. A Startling Exclamation

II. Business of Life vs. Busyness of Life - Ecclesiastes 6:7-12

A. What’s Important

B. Quit wishing things were different

III. A Challenge

I. Guard Our Steps - Ecclesiastes 5:1

II. Listen to God - Ecclesiastes 5:1

III. Careful in Speech - Ecclesiastes 5:2-3

IV. Practice What Has Been Learned - Ecclesiastes 5:4-7a

V. Fear God - Ecclesiastes 5:7b

VI. A Challenge

I. Problem of Unrighteousness in the Courts - Ecclesiastes 3:16-17
II. Problem of Death - Ecclesiastes 3:18-22
III. Problem of Oppression - Ecclesiastes 4:1-3
IV. Problem of Man’s Cruelty to Man - Ecclesiastes 4:4-6
V. Problem of Loneliness - Ecclesiastes 4:7-12
VI. Problem of Fading Popularity - Ecclesiastes 4:13-16
VII. A Challenge