Grace Community Church Midweek Teaching

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for." (Heb 11:1) At the end of his life, we come to the place where Jacob's faith is commended and recorded in the New Testament. Without reservation he blesses Joseph's younger son ahead of the firstborn and worships God. He makes arrangements for his body to be 'buried with my fathers' in the cave Abraham purchased in the land of Canaan. After Jacob's death Joseph reaassures his brothers of his complete forgiveness and reminds them of God's promises, presence, and protection. These men did not live perfect lives but nothing was beyond God's redemptive power. So many times God overruled and intervened on their behalf, giving grace upon grace! Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 48-50

The long tense back and forth with these brothers finally comes to a good and satisfying end! Twice now Joseph has wept privately, but this time he weeps publically and declares to his brothers; "I am Joseph!" He invites them to move in closely and they embrace one another through tears. And then they talk! When Joseph was a teenager living at home his brothers hated him so much they couldn't even speak to him. (37:4) But now that they have been forgiven and reconciled, a new relationship is forming. There are five years of famine still to come, but this family will spend it together, protected and provided for through God's providential 'working all things for their good.' Joseph shows us what God can do with a life in the midst of hard circumstances and evil schemes. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 45-47

Through a series of tasks Joseph's brothers reveal who they are now, thirteen years later, and how far he can trust them. In order for true reconciliation in this family there must be sincere forgiveness on one side and repentance demonstrated by humble confession of sin and change in behaviour on the other side. All of which takes time as trust is built and wounds are healed. Judah's charactor seems to have come a long way since his sin with Tamar. He takes personal responsibility for his youngest brother, Jacob's new favored son, Benjamin. Before, Judah encouraged his brothers to sell Joseph into slavery in Egypt and let Jacob believe he was dead. Now, Judah offers himself in Egypt as a slave in place of his brother, so Benjamin can return home to his father who treasures him.Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 43-44

After being forgotten in prison for two years, Joseph finds himself standing before Pharoah, an extremely powerful man thought to be descended from the gods. And yet when Joseph stands before him he does not seek to advance his own interests or take any glory for himself. Instead he gives all glory to the true God and gives council for the help of others. God gives Joseph wisdom with a plan to preserve life during a great famine and gives wisdom for bringing about true reconciliation with his brothers. Joseph begins the reconciliation process with a series of tests that will reveal how his brothers have or have not changed. Joseph himself has experienced his relationship with God develop over time thru trying circumstances and will need God's help with this new trial of great power and seeing his brothers again.Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 41-42

God's presence with Joseph in Egypt is having an impact on his conduct and charactor. He resists multiple advances from a powerful woman and suffers greatly for it. Somehow away from his family Joseph is able to break some unhealthy patterns of deciet and develop a true relationship with his God. In this pagan land of Egypt we are told repeatedly that God is with him there. At the same time Joseph is a slave and is imprisoned even though he is innocent of wrongdoing. How is it possible that God can be with a person yet allow him to suffer so much? And in the face of injustice how does one remain steadfast and not lose heart or lose faith? Endurance comes from the presence and comfort of Almighty God, the strength He supplies and His Grace all sufficient. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 39-40

Long ago Jacob deceived his father Isaac with a robe and food from a slaughtered goat. Now his sons deceive him with a coat and blood from a slaughtered goat. Jacob's family knows the true and living God, yet their sin patterns seem at times to be much stronger than their faith. Over the course of this story we will begin to recognize a contrast between two of the brothers. Young and immature Joseph has been spared hard work raised as the favored firstborn son of Rachel, the wife Jacob loves. Joseph starts out with dreams of power and a princely coat and ends up exiled from his family when he is sold into slavery. As a shepherd, Judah knows hard work and is the forth son of Leah, the wife Jacob rejects. He chooses to leave his family and settle among the Canaanites. Through it all the Lord's providential hand, strengthening presence, and unchanging Grace are at work.Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 37-38

Jacob’s detour in Shechem costs his family dearly with the rape of his daughter and the retribution his sons enact. After Jacob’s remarkable encounter with God, we are told of one of the lowest points in his family and that his household has acquired many foreign gods. How can that be? We might prefer the narrator to leave out horrific and faithless moments in the lives of God’s people, but that would paint an incomplete picture of their need for God’s grace. When Jacob returns, God again changes his name and throughout the rest of his life we will see both natures at play - sometimes he is Jacob the deceiver, other times he is Israel, surrendered to God. So too with our own faith journey. Romans 7-8, Ephesians 4:20-32 and Galatians 5:16-26 speak of this battle between our old self and our new identity in Christ. Jacob’s wrestle with God marks the beginning of His new nature, not the full completion of it. As you read look honestly at the mixture of cowardice, failure, depravity, idolatry, return, repentance, and restoration.Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 34-36

Jacob has prayed and sought God’s help. He has planned and sought to appease Esau with gifts. He has protected his family and separated himself from them. He’s done all he knows to do to deal with the problem at hand. And God’s response to Jacob? He wrestles with him all night long as tho they are equally matched, and then with a mere touch, God clobbers him!1 What in the world!?! God prepares Jacob to meet Esau by maiming him? Jacob will walk with a limp for the rest of his life from this encounter with the Living God, but that is not all that happens here. God asks Jacob some poignant questions that get to the core of his identity. Jacob may be meeting Esau with a limp yes, but he is also meeting Esau with a new understanding. God has begun the process of healing Jacob’s inner wounds and he begins to relate more honestly with his brother. He still falls short of full honesty with Esau and full obedience to God’s command to return to Bethel and his family will pay dearly for it. (Gen 34) But He is changing. As you read be watching for these indicators of transformation and what brings them about.Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 32:22-Genesis 33

When Jacob left home, he fled from Esau to Laban afraid, alone, and owning nothing. Now he flees from Laban to Esau, still afraid but no longer alone and with great wealth. During his time with Laban, he has been cheated, deceived, and taken advantage of. Jacob has also continued using his learned pattern of deception to get what he wants. But God has kept His promise to be with Jacob, to give him children, to bring him back to the land, and to continue working out His plan of salvation for the world through Jacob’s family. Jacob is still learning who God is and how to trust Him over and above his own intellect and schemes. He lives with an inner restlessness and seeks to fill the void of his heart with things other than God. In the midst of all of this, God calls Jacob back and Jacob answers that call and heads home. He leans on his own understanding in the practical aspects of his return, but he returns nonetheless. After Jacob deals with Laban he turns his focus ahead to the problem of Esau. Does Esau still want to kill him or could his anger have cooled over the years? As you read, pay attention to the ways Jacob is growing along with the ways God meets him in his fear. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 31-32:21

Just because things go our way or we give God credit and praise, does not mean that we are interpreting things correctly. God’s design for marriage is one man and one woman. God’s design for his people is honesty, integrity, and seeking Him above all else. Jacob grew up in a competitive and divided family and creates for himself a competitive and divided family. And yet – God is at work within the mess they create and their choices do not negate God’s grace! What a comfort that is! It is good and wise to break unhealthy patterns in our own families for the benefit of our lives and future generations. And we can take comfort in God’s continued pursuit of each of our hearts in the midst of the messes we create. As you read, watch for the ways idolatry, superstition, and faith are mixed up and how this mixture contributes to the unhealthy ways Jacob’s family functions and relates to God. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 30

After a disastrous outcome of his deceit, Jacob runs away from home. Will the promised blessing be lost? Jacob has no family or land–he has nothing! All throughout Genesis we have seen many examples of God coming down to those who are not seeking Him, calling out to Him, or reaching up to Him and this plot point of Jacob’s life is no different. God comes to Jacob in a dream showing access to His presence opened and His work throughout the earth taking place. It is true that Jacob’s story did not have to go the way it is going. The choices he and his family made could have been different and created a different family dynamic. And also it is true that God is bigger and able to overcome it all. As you read, pay special attention to the promise God makes to Jacob, God’s care of Leah and who begins to show signs of trust in God as the source of their satisfaction.

When we want something really badly it can be a struggle to release our desire in trust to God. It is not uncommon to resort to manipulation, deceit, striving, and grasping at what we can to control outcomes and to accomplish our will. Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Esau all have their own desires for who gets the blessing and their own plans for bringing it about. Not only does this family demonstrate an absence of trust among each other, they are not trusting God and things get pretty ugly. While we might think our own attempts at controlling outcomes are ‘not so bad’ it is wise for us to acknowledge our root issue is the same. When we sew patterns of striving in our lives we really do bring harm to our relationships. As you read pay attention to what each family member looses as a result of everyone’s behavior and how the Lord’s will prevails in the midst of it all. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 27. For maps, an introduction to Jacob and weekly questions download the study guide below!

God has promised a multitude of children through Abraham and Isaac and yet both Sarah and Rebekah struggled with infertility. Meanwhile Ishmael seems to have no trouble bearing children. Like his father before him, Isaac faces a famine and common sense says to leave the land of promise and head to Egypt. Crops, herds, wells, quarrels, clans, and kings are all a part of Isaac’s story. Whatever we assume Abraham has passed on to Isaac about God’s character and what a life of faithfulness looks like, Isaac’s relationship with God must be his own. Is the Covenant God made still valid? How can Isaac know? Does God change his mind? Will He keep His promise to Abraham through Isaac or is it through one of these other sons? As you read these chapters pay attention to the ways God reveals that He will remain faithful to Isaac just as He was faithful to Abraham no matter how hard or messy things get. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 25-26

The promises to Abraham involved both land and descendants and went well beyond his own lifetime. As his time on this earth is nearing its end, these last recorded stories from his life reveal a practical side of faith. We read of decisions made and actions taken based on an understanding of God’s character and promises rather than direct instruction from God’s voice. God gives practical help and clear guidance through knowledge of His will and confirming circumstances. After years of camping out, Abraham makes a purchase and finally owns a piece of ground in the land God had promised to give him. Although he knew God had promised to give him the land, he pays a fair price for it. Isaac, no longer a child, will shift into focus as we continue to learn of God’s plan and relationship with this particular family. Abraham shows great concern that Isaac’s future be built upon faith in God.Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 23-24

This text is difficult on many levels. Human sacrifice was a common practice among the pagan gods of the land, but Abraham had come to believe that God was different. Additionally God had said that the promised blessing and nation was with Isaac specifically. Abraham had already let Ishmael go – now he was to not just let Isaac go live somewhere else, but to actually end his life? The Creator and True God of the Universe is different. He abhors the practices of the surrounding nations in their false worship of their false gods. The promise is with Isaac. These things are true, so something else must be going on here. All of scripture points us to Jesus – let us read this chapter with that in mind. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 22

Abraham stood and saw the smoke of God’s judgment over two prominent cities - we can only speculate what his thoughts and emotions might have been. Did he forget what God had said before all this destruction happened? Did he know Lot had been spared?And then….laughter of disbelief becomes laughter of wonder. Abraham and Sarah have a moment in time of deep joy and satisfaction, worship and obedience. This moment is sandwiched in the middle of stories telling of fear, failure, sorrow, confusion, and politics. God keeps His promise, not because Abraham and Sarah have finally gotten their acts together and learned to fully trust and obey, but because He is God – the Promise Keeper.Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 20-21

God said that the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah were exceedingly grave. If we didn’t take God’s word for it, the details given in this chapter of the evil all around affecting everyone are convincing. Lot escaped the destruction, but he lost everything. His wife lost her life and his daughters lost any moral compass or a right understanding of God’s ways. Sin matters to God. It’s consequences are real. “what benefit do you reap from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things lead to death! For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:19-23) Throughout scripture we are warned to be careful about what we build our lives upon. Paul writes to the church in Corinth “If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:10-23) As you read this chapter, ponder how Lot’s life illustrates this principle. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 19

The conversations that take place in this chapter seem almost casual, like two old friends talking. One conversation is about miraculous life, the other about destruction and death. We also see here a contrast in the timing of the fulfillment of these two events. On the one hand we have years upon years upon years of waiting, then this final reassurance, yet still another whole year to wait for the promise to come true. On the other hand we have God’s plan shared with Abraham one evening and then carried out within the week! Abraham is the one through whom God’s promised seed will come and his family will significantly impact the entire world. In order to carry out this monumental task Abraham needs to understand some things about God, sin, and leadership. The Lord is consistent with His pattern of ‘coming down’, moving toward the sinner and dealing personally with the justice required. Abraham processes the information through the lens of character he knows is true; God does not flippantly destroy the creation He has made and loves. (see Ezekiel 18:23)Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 18

Things are about to get really messy, but God is not surprised and Abram cannot thwart or prevent God’s redemption plan as it has never been dependent on Abram – it has always been dependent on God alone. Still, sin always hurts people and Abram and Sarai’s actions, while culturally normal, are sinful. It is good to heed that warning while also maintaining the wonder of how Great and Profound God’s mercy is. This first recorded appearance of the Angel of the Lord is to a single mother-to-be slave girl from Egypt with a pride problem! Additionally, this is the first time we read of God giving a name before birth, showing He has a plan for her child. While the promised Messiah and covenant will be with Abram and Sarai’s son Isaac and the Hebrew people, we must not assume this means that God is not also personally involved in other nations of the world, including the Arab people (Ishmael’s descendants.) As the psalmist says; the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. (Psalm 24:1) As you read this chapter, pay special attention to how God is relating to each individual according to His character revealed thus far in scripture. (from weeks 9-14; He calls, reassures, shields, and sees)Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 16-17

God continues to reveal Himself to Abram over time as he goes along. It has been years since Abram left home, and while he has amassed much wealth and his household has grown - he still has no children and owns no land. What did God’s promises mean? How long will they take to come true? What continued hardships will this journey with God entail and how will Abram endure it all? God visits Abram and tells him not to be afraid. He answers Abram’s questions, often in surprising ways with disheartening details. This next chapter lets us listen into Abram’s intimate conversation with the God of the universe revealing to us deep and significant truths about who God is, how He relates to individuals personally and how He is at work in the world. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 15

After his brief stint in Egypt, Abram returns to where he started and calls on the name of the Lord. What follows is quarreling and strife in his family, years of war among the kings in the area, a rebellion and the capture of his nephew who had ended up on the loosing side. Abram mounts an army from his own household and three of his allies, rescues Lot, and then is visited by a mysterious king/priest named Melchizedek. The scriptures don’t tell us anything about what Abram’s first 75 years were like, but these past 15 have been quite eventful! God calls him to leave his home and go to a place unknown and the first thing we read is that there is a famine. Now there is a lot of fighting. Could it really be God’s plan to lead him into such chaos and hardship? As you read these chapters pay attention to what Abram’s choices reveal about his character, and the things God says and does to reassure Abram of His plan.Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 13-14

The first 11 chapters of Genesis cover thousands of years and the whole earth while the rest of Genesis will cover few hundred years and zero in on one individual and his descendants. What is the author implying about the significance of this particular family? Matthew chapter 1 gives us a clue - revealing to us a plan that went way beyond Abraham and his children. Eve’s promised seed who would crush the head of the serpent is the significance - and we know this is Jesus. But Adam, Eve, Abram & Sarai didn’t know this. As our study takes us through the details and descriptions of their interactions let us not forget the big picture of what everything is pointing to - Father, Son, and Spirit working together to rescue the human race from the curse of sin. It all begins with a man who is called to leave his home and go to a place unknown, taking one step at a time with the God who called him.Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 12

This chapter reveals once again how desperately we need God’s intervention. We see here the people’s; “Come, let us make; Come let us build…” contrasted with God’s; “Come, let us go down and disperse….” Left alone we choose our own way, we seek to glorify ourselves, to stay put and establish our own mini kingdoms. Without the ‘But Gods’ of our lives we would not, could not, follow Him or obey His instructions to disperse, be fruitful, and multiply. God’s command from the very beginning has been to go into all the earth declaring the praises of Him who made us – that all the world would surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord. Come, let us deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Jesus. For His name alone is worthy of all Praise.Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 10-11

Due to Technical Difficulties, we were unable to record this teaching. We apologize for this, we know it's a bummer that those who were unable to attend in person will miss out. We hope with the study guide you are still able to connect with a friend to share what you learned in this passage. .......After the flood the earth and everything in it has significantly changed. Adam’s loving supremacy over the animals has now been replaced with fear and dread. Directions are now given with respect to taking Life. For the first time we have recorded God establishing a covenant – a formal, solemn, and binding agreement – with all humans and all of creation. The fulfillment of this covenant is not dependent on people’s obedience but on God’s faithfulness alone. Were it not so the peaks of our beloved 14ers might be covered tomorrow!The world we now live in has been deeply affected by Adam and Eve’s sin. Isaiah tells us there will be a return to the patterns of relating between man and animal when Jesus makes all things new again. (Isaiah 11:6-9) Until that day we join with creation’s groaning as we wait eagerly to be set free from our bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. This is the Hope unto which we have been saved. (Romans 8:18-25)Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 9

This account of God’s judgment is jarring as the concept of His wrath can seem offensive. That is until your son’s bike gets stolen and then it is deeply comforting. In all seriousness, this is one of the most heart wrenching and sad chapters in scripture. The entire human race has reached the point of no return. No hope. No thoughts of love or kindness or goodness or beauty. Enmity – that is, active opposition and hostility - exists between God’s Spirit and the sinful nature of Adam’s race. Where is that promised seed of the women who will crush the head of the serpent?  God is not distant – He has remained present and connected throughout all these generations since the beginning of time. He is grieved beyond any grief we can possibly imagine. God’s beautiful creation, the ones made in His own likeness – The likeness of Him whose disposition is only good all the time – have now reached a level of depravity that “every inclination of the thoughts of their heart is only evil all the time.” And so, God is going to destroy what He created – the people, the animals, and the earth. But, He will not leave anyone without a way to be saved – He will provide a means of rescue and place of safety. Sound familiar??Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 6-8

Every life is important to God, and His desire is for none to perish but all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) The dividing point between all people is their response to God and His word. These chapters describe two such streams of humanity – the descendants of Cain (ch 4) and those of Seth (ch 5). These histories illustrate the enmity God promised between those who follow Him by faith and those who pridefully go their own way. In one family line we are told of individuals’ cultural advancements including their skill, artistry, and craftsmanship. In the other we are only told of individuals’ relationship with God. We say that our identity is in Christ, yet let us pause and ponder; if my own legacy were to be recorded, would I be ok with everything about me being left out except for my relationship with God?Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 4-5

The pursuit of knowledge at the expense of trust is a Siren song we struggle against still to this day. We place high esteem on the learned and at times pity the uneducated. Having more information doesn’t always lead to deeper trust. It is trust we need in keeping with worship of, hope in, and obedience to God. Jesus tells us it is in Him that life is found, and the pursuit of understanding is in vain if it does not lead us to Him. “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John 5:39-40) The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made, His love is great, and His compassion never fails. Ultimately that is all we need to know. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 3

We now move from broad strokes of all creation, down to man and woman, revealing who we are, and the meaning and purpose of life. Another distinction is a change from; “after its kind” to “after God’s own image and likeness.” Additionally, just as God rules over the entire universe, humankind is given permission to rule over and name the creatures God has made. With everything else, God speaks “let it be, and it was so,” but with man and woman He shares a more detailed and intimate account of forming from dust and breathing His own breath to give life. God’s Eden is a garden of delight, pleasing to the eye and good for food. He has thoughtfully made a place for Adam and Eve to live together and flourish. And finally, He has invited them into a relationship of trust in His wisdom, love, and care; willingly living according to His command.Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 2:4-25

God alone is uncreated and eternally existing. (Psalm 93:2, 90:1-2) He created the heavens and earth out of nothing – which is something only God can do. This first chapter in Genesis lays the foundation for all the rest of what we read in Scripture. If God is able to create as He has said He did – every other statement can be trusted. His love can endure forever, He can raise the dead back to life and He can give us eternal life with Him. (Psalm 136:4-9, John 11:25-26, 43) As we begin, let us keep focused on the grandeur of a God we cannot fully comprehend but are invited to know personally and relate to intimately. When we need perspective, meditating on Genesis 1 alongside Psalm 139 and Isaiah 40:10-31 can settle our hearts as nothing else can. Let us approach with humility our study of God’s revealed account of our world’s beginning. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 1:1-2:3

This book of beginnings lays the foundation of our understanding of God's character and work in the world. Come prepared to be transformed in this deep dive study of the Book of Genesis.We have prepared a study guide for you! Be sure to pick one up at this first week's teaching or download at the link below.

Jesus alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He alone is God and has given His life for us so that we can enter into an everlasting relationship with Him. He promises that we are known by Him and that we are cared for and guided by Him. These words divided the people of Jesus' day and they divide people in our day as well. Join us as we seek to understand what it means that Jesus has provided us a way to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.Prepare for this week's teaching by reading John 10 with Matthew 7:13-14

Jesus is both our King and our Priest, He is God who became flesh, lived and walked among us, and was tempted in every way we have been tempted. His life, death, and resurrection removed the barrier that separated us from God and granting us access into His very presence! We have access to the King of kings, and His throne is a Throne of Grace!Join us as we ponder the impact this has for us as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Hebrews 4:14-16 with Matthew 7:7-12

One of the most challenging things we face as Christians is seeing others as Christ sees them, especially those who we don't like or agree with. Paul says that because we understand what it is to fear the Lord, we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Join us as we discover what it means to judge and evaluate appropriately as followers of Christ who have been made new. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 with Matthew 7:1-6

Psalm 23 is one of the most familiar of all Bible chapters, and still we can have a limited understanding of what difference having such a Good Shepherd makes in our day to day. Join us Wednesday as we unpack what it means that God takes care of us as a shepherd takes care of his sheep. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Psalm 23 with Matthew 6:25-34

Don't we all want to take hold of that which is Truly Life? When we are satisfied with a poor substitute we miss out on the Fullness of Life that Jesus promises is available to us. In our Citizens series we are continuing our discussion on what it looks like to choose God as our Master rather than wealth. Prepare for this week's message by reading 1 Timothy 6:17-19

I think many of us can relate to asking the question; "I've done all these things God, why then haven't you......" We are kicking off our Citizens series where we continue our Sunday Morning study, going deeper into the themes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and what He has to say about living as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Isaiah 58

As we look upon the lessons gleaned from the book of Ecclesiastes, let the message that prevails be to seek satisfaction in God alone and to live our lives dedicated to worshipping Him with awe-filled reverence, content to do His will for His glory and our good!“Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.  Now all has been heard;    here is the conclusion of the matter:  Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”Prepare for this week’s teaching by reading Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

The preacher’s last words exhort us to care for the poor as a cure for our vanity, meaninglessness, and pride. He also reminds us that this world is not all there is, eternity awaits us and it would be wise to live in light of that rather than for only the here and now. Prepare for this week’s teaching by reading Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:8

Although wisdom is not always appreciated, it is still better than brute strength and superior over the foolish utterings that may be more popular. Wisdom is often the harder path, slower route, or longer way of getting things done. In our next section of the text, Solomon gives us some proverbs on Wisdom. Prepare for this week’s teaching by reading Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:20

In this section, Solomon explores a common question we all ask; Why? What in the world is God doing? Why are outcomes so unpredictable? Why isn’t there a formula for a good life?Sometimes as Solomon ponders the things he has witnessed, he draws fatalist and incorrect conclusions about God, His Kingdom, and what we can hope for. We cannot measure God’s character by what happens in life, we must measure God’s love, His justice, His Mercy, and His care by what Jesus did on the cross. We must measure God’s power, His rule, and His victory by Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. While there are principles that do work (sin hurts people) and at times predictable outcomes (gravity causes things to fall), life remains confusing at times. Our hope is in the unchanging character of God. He is for us and He loves us. He alone has the power to make all things new, set all things right, and bring about good in any and every circumstance. Prepare for this week’s message by reading and reflecting on Ecclesiastes 8:2-9:12

In an attempt to find a better way to live Solomon has discovered it all boils down to wisdom – and that there is no wisdom independent of God. This next section of our text includes a series of proverbs, some at first glance can be confusing. As you prepare for this week’s message by reading Ecclesiastes 7:1-8:1, ask the God of all wisdom to reveal transformational truths to help you grow in knowing Him better and loving Him more.

This week's passage related to wealth and honor, Solomon leaves us with the question; "Who really knows what is good for man in this life?" (Ecclesiastes 6:12) In light of eternity and our relationship with God, who can say whether it is better to be wealthy or poor, to be healthy or sick, to be weak or strong. We know that the ability to enjoy the pleasures of life without them leading us to evil is impossible without the Holy Spirit's help. And we know that we don't take any earthly possessions or earthly accolades with us when we die. As you prepare for this week's teaching by reviewing Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12, reflect also on the things that have most helped you to know Christ better and love Him more.

Charles Spurgeon says; "There is a fear with which a Christian has nothing to do. The fear of slave who dreads a task-master we have now escaped from." The Christian's fear of God is rather a humble reverence which stems from the conviction that our Father God is good, kind, wise, loves us deeply and is with us. Join us as we continue our study of the conclusion Solomon comes to regarding our attitude toward God found in Ecclesiastes 4:13-5:7

It’s easy to become discouraged when we see “all the oppression taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed—    and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors—    and they have no comforter.”Join us as we seek to understand the comfort God’s judgement provides as we consider the words of Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:12

“to everything turn, turn, turn….” These words were made famous by Pete Segar, sung by the Byrds in the 60s. The original text is found here in Ecclesiastes; “There is a time for everything,     and a season for every activity under the heavens:… I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him”Join us as we unpack the meaning of time and the motive of growing in reverence for God.  

Despair over the fleetingness of life and insecurity over having no control of one’s legacy can be discouraging, leading us to wonder; “what is the point of trying?”David Guzik, in his commentary on Ecclesiastes, says it this way; “If death ends it all, then this life is robbed of true meaning. Even the good and great accomplishments of this world are unbelievably temporary, and therefore ultimately meaningless.”In light of this, Solomon turned his heart and ‘despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun.”But because of the resurrection of Christ, this is not the experience of a Christian!“For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”  “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?”The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.” -1 Corinthians 15: 53-58Prepare for this week’s teaching by reading Ecclesiastes 2:12-26 alongside 1 Corinthians 15.

The "wisdom" of Ecclesiastes is not the same as the "wisdom" in Proverbs. In Proverbs, wisdom is godly wisdom. Ecclesiastes is focusing on "Everything under the sun" and the wisdom here is man's wisdom.Remember this distinction as you prepare for this week's teaching in your reading of Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:11

The perspective lens through which life is viewed will impact the conclusions drawn. There may be nothing new under the sun, but thankfully, followers of Jesus don't only live under the sun! Prepare for this week's study by reading Ecclesiastes 1:1-11. Think about the questions and conclusions the author raises in light of the gospel and the difference that makes.

The word Ecclesiastes means “preacher” or “philosopher.” This book reveals man’s attempts at happiness apart from God and the absurdity of that attempt. We live in a world struggling to find satisfaction that lasts and meaning behind what we experience. In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon concluded that in the inmost depths of mankind is a longing for Eternity and the peace that only God can provide. Solomon had everything this world can offer and more and so one would think he would have experienced the happiness we all crave. He realized that even the best and most beautiful things of this world pale in comparison to the Creator of this world, and relationship with Him is the only thing that can truly satisfy the longing of our hearts.Saint Augustine of Hippo puts it this way; “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”Join us as we dive into these concepts in our Midweek Teaching study of the book of Ecclesiastes.(due to technical difficulties, only the audio is available for the first session.)