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.

Rev. James Harper preaches on Deuteronomy 6:1-9 as part of our Roles of Influence sermon series.

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 reveals that parents are the primary spiritual mentors for their children, with far more influence than any church program. Parents can only pass on the faith they genuinely possess, and this mentoring happens naturally through everyday life moments rather than formal instruction. The passage encourages adults to expand their spiritual family by including children who lack faith guidance, allowing them to witness authentic Christian living. In today's challenging parenting environment, finding a supportive community of like-minded parents is essential for raising balanced followers of Jesus Christ.

Rev. James Harper preaches on Marriage as part of the "Roles of Influence" sermon series, using Scripture from Genesis 2:18-25.

Marriage was designed by God with specific purposes: to provide a stable foundation for family, to foster human flourishing through deep companionship, and to illustrate Christ's love for His people. Despite these beautiful intentions, marriage faces challenges due to sin's impact and the myth of perfect compatibility. However, when approached with commitment and selflessness, marriage helps us see ourselves more clearly, teaches us to love our neighbors better, and offers hope to a cynical world. Through healthy marriages that reflect Christ-like love, we can demonstrate God's design in a broken world.

Rev. James Harper preaches on "Work" in our sermon series, "Roles of Influence," with scripture from Genesis 2:4-17.

Work is not merely a means to earn a living but a divine calling that reflects God's character. From the beginning, work was part of human purpose and dignity, not a punishment. All forms of work carry inherent dignity, whether paid or unpaid. However, work has limitations and cannot satisfy our deepest needs for meaning and identity. We can honor God through our work by contributing to human flourishing, pursuing excellence, and loving our colleagues. By reframing our understanding of work, we participate in God's kingdom and point others to the true source of meaning.