The motivation for holiness as we live in this world, is an out of this world joy. Because the joy of relationship with God is out of this world, God who came into this world.

Our society, in ever increasing doses, searches for the prescriptions, the remedies, the formulas and fixes that bring that new change which people long for.

Our longing to be with the Lord Jesus leads us to be unsatisfied with what this world has to offer, and so fills our life now as one of making life count for Christ.

We all go through times and seasons that really cause us to lose heart. So that's why we hear God's gospel word preached to our hearts each week, and it's at these times of focus lost that we need these words from 2nd Corinthians 4:16-18.

The Corinthians see Paul’s suffering as a Christian, as a Christian Leader - and they question whether God is with Paul, and why he is not like the celebrity leaders they would like to follow.

It's so easy to lose heart, for anyone, and somewhat surprisingly perhaps, it’s easy to lose heart for us who are Christians.

One of the big threats to the Christian life is our losing heart by discouragement.

The heart deflating discouragement we get as Christians comes at us with one disappointment after another, it's what someone has once described as – death to the Christian life by 1000 little cuts. 

We become what we behold. When we behold the glory of Christ He transforms us.

Who is sufficient for these things? See how our sufficiency comes from Christ.

What could relationships in the church look like? How may this shape how we relate to a lost world around us? See how Jesus changes everything.

How can we give real comfort to people in their suffering?

Who is this King of glory? He is the one who seeks and finds the lost, to see them return to their King.

Sing to the Lord, let’s make a joyful noise! And why music that its too loud for congregational singing turns community into a concert.

Hear Jesus’ heart as he prays.

God gathers …and I need him to. So do you.

God listens…and I need him to. Today’s message from God’s word is that by God’s grace, we pray. We get to pray.

1. His word reveals and revives

2. His word is final because He’s personal

3. His word is to be preached

“What are the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption?”

The catechism’s answer is,

The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption are his ordinances, especially the word, sacraments and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.

The lives of Esau and Jacob, even from before they were born, show us much about God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. Genesis 25 also has much for parents and teens, that we would find comfort and be joyful recipients of God’s grace.

How can we face the hostility and hatred of the world? We can do so with Jesus who understands everything about this.

What is God doing my life, especially when everything doest seem to be going according to plan? What about his plans? In this sermon we look deep into the providence of God, and delight in Him.