Wisdom Goes to Church

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Speaker: Dave Royes
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
June 7, 2026

Wisdom Goes to Church

Dave Royes

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7: Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words.

When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.

Sermon Outline

1. A call to a presence and posture in worship

2. A caution against being a church of fools

3. A contrast with a life of vanity

The Ruins of Folly

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Speaker: Dave Royes
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:13-16
May 31, 2026

The Ruins of Folly

Dave Royes

Ecclesiastes 4:13-16: Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice. For he went from prison to the throne, though in his own kingdom he had been born poor. I saw all the living who move about under the sun, along with that youth who was to stand in the king's place. There was no end of all the people, all of whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Sermon Outline

1. Introduction

• A marvelous mansion in ruins

• Main point: The ruins of this life are meant to lead us to the riches of God

2. An instructive contrast leads

• Wisdom does not necessarily come with age

• Foolishness can be so destructive that poverty is preferable

3. A pointful plot unfolds

• More years made it harder to listen

• More money brought relational poverty

• More fame did not mean remembrance

4. The wisdom of God is magnified

• The best we can hope for from this fallen world

• Redemptive historical contrast

5. Applications

1 Corinthians 1:26-27: For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.

2 Corinthians 8:9: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

Empty Manger, Empty Pantry

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Speaker: Tyler Estes
Scripture: Proverbs 14:4
May 24, 2026

Empty Manger, Empty Pantry

Tyler Estes

Proverbs 14:4: Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,
but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

Sermon Outline

1. The empty consequences of laziness

2. The abundant reward of labor

3. The necessary use of means the embodiment of wisdom in Christ

Wisdom for Seeing Sorrow

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Speaker: Dave Royes
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:10
May 17, 2024

Wisdom for Seeing Sorrow

Dave Royes

Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:10: Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work. I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth? So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?

Again, I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after the wind.

The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh.

Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.

Again, I saw vanity under the sun: one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, "For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?" This also is vanity and an unhappy business.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him — a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Sermon Outline

1. Introduction

• A brutally honest passage

• Main point: Life's deepest sorrows require a supernatural solution

2. Why this world hurts

• A twisting of justice

• The depth of greed

• The extent of loneliness

3. What God will do

• God will judge

• God will wait

• God will build His church

4. Applications

Philippians 2:3-8: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Thinking About Little Children

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Speaker: Dave Royes
Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30
May 10, 2026

Thinking About Little Children

Dave Royes

Matthew 11:25-30: At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Sermon Outline

1. An unexpected illustration of grace

2. An explicit invitation to rest

3. A powerful foreshadowing of the cross

Matthew 26:38: Jesus said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death."

A Matter of Time and Eternity

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Speaker: Dave Royes
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-14
May 3, 2026

A Matter of Time and Eternity

Dave Royes

Ecclesiastes 3:1-14: For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil — this is God's gift to man.

I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.

Sermon Outline

1. Introduction

• Main characters and side characters

• Destroying the delusion that we're the main character

• Main point: We grow in worship when we learn to number our days

2. The uncomfortable reality of being bound by time

• Life is seasonal

• Everything meets its undoing

3. The ultimate reality of a sovereign God

• He rules with supremacy

• He functions independently

• He exists eternally

4. How eternal creatures should live right now

• God placed eternity into the human heart

• People cannot truly find out by natural inquiry what God is doing from beginning to end

• How do we find out what God is doing from beginning to end?

5. How do we number our days?

• Acknowledge that treasures on earth are temporary

• Adopt a posture of gratitude to God for what he gives you

Revelation 1:4b-6, 8: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come... and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

The High King With a Deep Problem

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Speaker: Dave Royes
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:24
April 26, 2026

The High King With a Deep Problem

Dave Royes

Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:24: I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

What is crooked cannot be made straight,
and what is lacking cannot be counted.

I said in my heart, “I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.” And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.

For in much wisdom is much vexation,
and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine — my heart still guiding me with wisdom — and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man.

So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly. For what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done. Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness. The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them. Then I said in my heart, “What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?” And I said in my heart that this also is vanity. For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool! So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind.

I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun, because sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity.

There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God…

Sermon Outline

1. Introduction

• Deadly desert disorientation

• Only the grace of God is a match for your heart

2. The frustrating feeling of an uncontrollable life

• Who is this preacher?

• Humans have high busyness alongside low happiness

3. The futile quest of fixing your life

• Pleasure in his heart did not satisfy his heart

• The works of his hands he could not hold

• The wisdom of his mind was haunted by death

4. The Father of Grace and the joyful life

• A gain mentality versus a grace mentality

5. Applications

What’s (Actually) New?

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Speaker: Dave Royes
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
April 19, 2026

What’s (Actually) New?

Dave Royes

Ecclesiastes 1:1-11: The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher,
    vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
What does man gain by all the toil
    at which he toils under the sun?
A generation goes, and a generation comes,
    but the earth remains forever.
The sun rises, and the sun goes down,
    and hastens to the place where it rises.
The wind blows to the south
    and goes around to the north;
around and around goes the wind,
    and on its circuits the wind returns.
All streams run to the sea,
    but the sea is not full;
to the place where the streams flow,
    there they flow again.
All things are full of weariness;
    a man cannot utter it;
the eye is not satisfied with seeing,
    nor the ear filled with hearing.
What has been is what will be,
    and what has been done is what will be done,
    and there is nothing new under the sun.
Is there a thing of which it is said,
    “See, this is new”?
It has been already
    in the ages before us.
There is no remembrance of former things,
    nor will there be any remembrance
of later things yet to be
    among those who come after.

Sermon Outline

1. A preacher with a picture

2. A process of inquiry

3. A poem about nature

4. A person unprecedented

Ecclesiastes 12:13: The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

The Church On Mission

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Speaker: Dwight Yoo
Scripture: Acts 11:19-26; 13:1-3
April 12, 2026

The Church on Mission

Dwight Yoo

Acts 11:19-26: Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Acts 13:1-3: Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Sermon Outline

1. Introduction

• Mission statement

• The Great Dechurching

2. A sense of sentness

• Scattered with intentionality

• A diverse group

• A rejection of church, not the Gospel

3. A sending church

• Inward versus outward

• The unchurched versus the trans-churching

• A scarcity mindset

4. A centered church

A. Worship, fasting, and prayer

"More people have left the church in the last twenty-five years than all the new people who became Christians from the First Great Awakening, Second Great Awakening, and Billy Graham crusades combined. Adding to the alarm is the fact that this phenomenon has rapidly increased since the mid-1990s... We are currently in the middle of the largest and fastest religious shift in the history of our country as tens of millions of formerly regular Christian worshippers nationwide have decided they no longer desire to attend church at all." — Jim Davis and Michael Graham, The Great Dechurching

"It's interesting when we consider the fact that the [New Testament] contains many direct instructions concerning loving one's neighbor, avoiding sexual impurity, speaking the truth, and being honest. But nowhere do we hear the apostles pleading for missions, urging Christians to bear witness to their neighbors, asking for help in evangelizing the Roman empire. Why this silence on a subject which obviously was very dear to the apostles, and about which today we feel compelled to say so much? The answer, I believe, lies in the fact that congregations back then were spontaneously carrying out their missionary obligation and needed no urging or correction on this matter. With respect to ethical conduct the situation was different, and that is why the apostles wrote numerous injunctions on that subject. But when it came to mission endeavor, the apostles needed to say nothing." — Roger S. Greenway

"Your life is much bigger than a good job, an understanding spouse, and non-delinquent kids. It is bigger than beautiful gardens, nice vacations, and fashionable clothes. In reality, you are part of something immense, something that began before you were born and will continue after you die. God is rescuing fallen humanity, transporting them into his kingdom, and progressively changing them into his likeness--and he wants you to be part of it." — Paul Tripp

Just As He Told You

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Speaker: Dave Royes
Scripture: Mark 16:1-8
April 5, 2026

Just As He Told You

Dave Royes

Mark 16:1-8: When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back — it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Sermon Outline

1. Introduction

• The End?

• What Mark wrote and why

2. Toward the tomb in the shadow of death

• Toward the tomb, carrying spices and sorrow

• Death's shadow also looms large for us

3. Inside the tomb with no scent of death

• The evidence is compelling

• The news is transforming

• God's word is unfolding

4. Fleeing the tomb with news about death

• An abrupt ending

• Just the beginning

Stand Firm in It

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Speaker: Dave Royes
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:12-14
March 29, 2026

Stand Firm in It

Dave Royes

1 Peter 5:12-14: By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. Greet one another with the kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Sermon Outline

1. Introduction

• Addressing spiritual insecurity

• Main point: God has arranged everything you need to stand firm

2. There is grace in the word of God

• What God has written is true

• What God has written is sufficient

3. There is love in the church of God

• A global church love

• An individual love

• A one-another welcome

4. There is peace in the Christ of God

Looking for Life

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Speaker: Dave Royes
Scripture: Psalm 119:37
March 22, 2026

Looking for Life

Dave Royes

Psalm 119:33-40:
Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,
    that I may follow it to the end.
Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
    and obey it with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of your commands,
    for there I find delight.
Turn my heart toward your statutes
    and not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
    preserve my life according to your word.
Fulfill your promise to your servant,
    so that you may be feared.
Take away the disgrace I dread,
    for your laws are good.
How I long for your precepts!
    In your righteousness preserve my life.

Sermon Outline

1. Introduction

• Interruptions

• Main point: Walking in delight in the Lord means training what we see

2. There is gravity to our gaze

• An imperative to sin

• A connection between gazing and desire

3. There is triviality in our time

• Empty things with exciting appeal

• Looking for life in all the wrong places

4. There is life in God's law

• Asking God for spiritual CPR

• Hearts hankering for God

5. Our salvation is a spectacle

To Him Be the Dominion

Speaker: Dave Royes
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-11
March 15, 2026

To Him Be the Dominion

Dave Royes

1 Peter 5:6-11: Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Sermon Outline

1. The hand of God has a proper time

2. The roaring lion has a little while

3. The God of all grace is forever and ever

“We come dear Jesus to thy Throne, to open all our grief;
Now send the promised mercy down, and grant us quick relief.
Though Satan rages and flesh rebel, and unbelief arise,
we'll wait around his footstool still, for Jesus hears our cries”
— attributed to Helen MacKay MacDonald

A Fellow Elder

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Speaker: Dave Royes
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-5
March 8, 2026

A Fellow Elder

Dave Royes

1 Peter 5:1-5: So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Sermon Outline

1. The plan of God for the flock of God

2. The Son of God leads the church of God

3. The Spirit of God and the hand of God

Let Those Who Suffer… Entrust Their Souls

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Speaker: Dave Royes
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19
March 1, 2026

Let Those Who Suffer… Entrust Their Souls

Dave Royes

1 Peter 4:12-19: Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And

“If the righteous is scarcely saved,

what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Sermon Outline

1. The love of a faithful creator

2. The presence of a faithful creator

3. The judgement of a faithful creator

“I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.” — Charles Spurgeon

The End of All Things Is at Hand

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Speaker: Dave Royes
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11
February 22, 2026

The End of All Things Is at Hand

Dave Royes

Sermon Outline

1. A deliberate posture of prayer

2. A cultivated community of grace

3. A passion for God’s glory

“Prayer and praise are the oars by which a man may row his boat into deep waters of the knowledge of Christ.” — Charles Spurgeon

Arm Yourselves

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Speaker: Dave Royes
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-6
February 15, 2026

Arm Yourselves

Dave Royes

1 Peter 4:1-6: Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

Sermon Outline

1. The suffering of starving the flesh

2. The sorrow of spiteful treatment

3. The solemnity of facing death

If That Should Be God’s Will

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Speaker: Dave Royes
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:17-41
February 8, 2026

If That Should Be God’s Will

Dave Royes

1 Peter 3:17-4:1: For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

Sermon Outline

1. Introduction

• Flavors of human experience

• A new way for Peter's readers to categorize how they feel

2. A better way to suffer

• Suffering for righteousness' sake

• God's will is always at work

3. A living proof in Jesus

• His priestly sacrifice

• His prophetic role

• His kingly rule

4. A Mature Way to Think

“The world sneers at religious profession. It refuses to believe that it is genuine. It defiantly asserts that what is called Christian principle is only selfishness, and that it would not stand severe testing. Then, godly men [and women] are called to endure loss, suffering, or sorrow, not because there is any particular evil in themselves which needs to be eradicated — but because the Master needs their witness to answer the sneers of the world.” — JR Miller

“A wonderful text is this, and a more obscure passage perhaps than any other in the Testament, so that I do not know for a certainty just what Peter means… I cannot understand and I cannot explain it. And there has been no one who has explained it” — Martin Luther

Rejection and Grace

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Speaker: Andrew Hageman
Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:1-9
February 1, 2026

Rejection and Grace

Andrew Hageman

1 Samuel 8:1-9: When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.

Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.”

Sermon Outline

1. A human rejection

2. A human solution

3. A divine rejection

4. A divine solution

Two Very Important Truths

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Speaker: Joe Whalen
Scripture: Colossians 1:1-8
January 24, 2026

Two Very Important Truths

Joe Whalen

Colossians 1:1-8: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your[c] behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

Sermon Outline

1. Introduction

2. Two truths

• Truth #1: The gospel has already changed you

• Faith in Christ

• A love for all the saints

• Hope

• Truth #2: The gospel is changing people all over the world

• Everywhere the gospel goes, it brings salvation

• God doesn't begin with our weaknesses; he begins with his strength

• The gospel has already changed you, and it's changing people all over the world

3. Applications

• Remind yourself over and over what God has done for you

• Be thankful