Wisdom from Proverbs: Somebody to Lean On

In December we studied how God comforts us and offers peace, hope, and joy in our darkness. But how can we practically offer peace, hope, and joy to one another – especially to our friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors who are suffering?

This morning we look further in to Proverbs to see how the scriptures guide us in comforting those among us who are grieving and suffering. Ever wondered what to say when it seems like there are no words that could help? Learn what you can say to be helpful, and the things to avoid saying!

Wisdom from Proverbs: Somebody to Lean On

Chris Dunaway

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Resources:

Proverbs about Comforting the Grieving (pdf)

Wisdom from Proverbs: Work Matters

What does faith have to do with work? Quite a lot.

This morning we examine what Proverbs teaches about work, and we look to tie that in with the rest of scripture’s teaching about work. How can we work creatively, redemptively, and in a way that honors God? And does my work really matter to God?

Wisdom from Proverbs: Work Matters

Chris Dunaway

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Blue Christmas: The Word Became Flesh

“Joy to the World,” the song goes, but not everyone feels joyful during Christmas. What do we do when the lights—the festive music—the decorations—the cards—all tell us to feel joyful, but instead we feel darkness?

As we conclude our Blue Christmas series, listen to how the birth of Christ—the Word of God who became flesh—provides our truest and best hope in life, even when Christmas seems bleak.

Blue Christmas: The Word Became Flesh (John 1:1–14)

Chris Dunaway

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Blue Christmas: Finding Joy in Darkness

“Joy to the World,” the song goes, but not everyone feels joyful during Christmas. What do we do when the lights—the festive music—the decorations—the cards—all tell us to feel joyful, but instead we feel darkness?

It can help to remember that joy is not based on our circumstances; it’s a gift from God. And the truest joy comes from God’s greatest gift: his son Jesus. Listen to hear how Jesus offers a transcendent joy in our lives, even in the middle of our darkness.

Blue Christmas: Finding Joy in Darkness (Isaiah 55:8–13)

Chris Dunaway

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Blue Christmas: Finding Peace in Grief

Many of us feel varying degrees of grief during the Christmas season — the pain of a loved one who is no longer with us or the sting of a soured relationship. How do we reconcile the absence of loved ones or cherished relationships with the expectations of “holiday cheer?”

Listen to hear more about how Jesus offers a unique brand of peace in the midst of our grief:

Blue Christmas: Finding Peace in Grief (Isaiah 60:1–3, 19–22)

Chris Dunaway

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Blue Christmas: Finding Hope in Anxiety

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” they sing. But not everyone feels that way. In fact, for many of us, Christmas brings mixed emotions.

For those of us who feel anxious during the holidays—whether about family, or about the future, or about anything else—what do we do when Christmas feels more blue than white?

Find out this morning how Christ gives us hope in our anxiety—even during the stressful holiday season.

Blue Christmas: Finding Hope in Anxiety (Isaiah 41:8–13)

Chris Dunaway

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Wisdom from Proverbs: Who's in Charge, Here?

Many things in life don’t turn out the way we thought they would, do they? Like our kids.

For better or worse, we can’t manipulate or control our children. But we can influence them. What do the Scriptures—and specifically the book of Proverbs—say about how to influence our children in a positive way? How do we parent our children in a way that helps them to flourish? Listen to find out more:

Wisdom from Proverbs: Who's in Charge, Here?

Doran Morford

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Wisdom from Proverbs: Do Unto Others...

It’s been said that the reason Jesus said, “Love your neighbors” and, “Love your enemies” is because they’re often the same person.

We often hear that God instructs us to love our neighbors. But how? And what does a spiritual friendship look like? Listen today to find out:

Wisdom from Proverbs: Do Unto Others...

Chris Dunaway

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Resources:

Proverbs about Friends and Neighbors (pdf)

Wisdom from Proverbs: Mr(s). Right

Marriage is about finding Mr. Right, or Mrs. Right, right?

Wrong.

Although our culture says, “There’s somebody out there for you,” God turns the tables and teaches that marriage is not about who we find, but about who we become. How can we become a better spouse? Listen more:

Wisdom from Proverbs: Mr(s). Right

Chris Dunaway

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Resources:

Proverbs about Marriage (pdf)

Wisdom from Proverbs: Real Prosperity

Should our faith be divorced from our finances? Or should our faith inform our finances?

We think it’s the latter.

Money is a gift from God and a tool for good. So how can we wisely use money to honor God and to help others flourish? This morning we examine Proverbs about wealth and money.

Wisom from Proverbs: Real Prosperity (Proverbs 11)

Chris Dunaway

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Resources:

Proverbs about Money (pdf)

Wisdom from Proverbs: Politics, Power, and Leadership

What makes a good leader?

Can we use power in a way that is healthy and life-giving?

Should politics be divorced from our faith? And, for that matter, how does our Christian faith affect how we vote?

This morning we examine Proverbs about Politics, Power, and Leadership.

Wisdom from Proverbs: Politics, Power, and Leadership (Proverbs 16:19–15)

Chris Dunaway

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Resources:

Proverbs about Politics, Power, and Leadership (pdf)

Wisdom from Proverbs: A Way with Words

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me?”

You bet they can.

Our words are powerful. And God gave us words to use just like he uses words: not to tear down, but to build up, to create, and to redeem all things. Join us as we ask how we can use our words wisely, creatively, and redemptively.

Wisdom from Proverbs: A Way with Words (Proverbs 2:13–23)

Chris Dunaway

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Resources:

Proverbs about Words (pdf)

Wisdom from Proverbs: The Beginning of Wisdom

Most of us would agree that wisdom is an important virtue. But where does wisdom come from? How do we grow in wisdom? And what does it mean when the Scriptures tell us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom? This morning we begin our fall series in Proverbs.

Wisdom from Proverbs: The Beginning of Wisdom (Proverbs 1:1–7)

Chris Dunaway

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We Believe: The New Creation

Heaven and Hell, End Times, The Next Life. No matter what you call it, we all have questions about it, and although God doesn’t tell us everything about what comes next, he tells us what we need to know. What are some of these things, and how do they affect our lives today? And what about those people who are “so heavenly minded that they’re no earthly good?”

We Believe: The New Creation (Revelation 21:1–8)

Chris Dunaway

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We Believe: God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit may be the person of the Trinity who gets the least attention. The Holy Spirit is also, arguably, the person of the Trinity with whom we interact the most. What accounts for this discrepancy? And how can we better understand both the Holy Spirit and his work in our life?

We Believe: God the Holy Spirit (Philippians 2:12–13)

Chris Dunaway

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We Believe: God the Son

What are the essential truths we believe about Jesus? He is the Son of God—fully human, fully divine—who loves us profoundly enough to make a way back to God even while we were still spiritually dead. While no sermon can tell us all there is to know about Jesus, listen as we explore some of the most important things to understand.

We Believe: God the Son (Ephesians 2:1–7)

Chris Dunaway

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We Believe: God the Father

As Christians we think and talk about God a lot, but what do we actually believe about God? Who is he? What are his attributes? What has he done throughout history? And can an ancient idea like God actually be relevant in the 21st century?

God is more than just an idea; he is the powerful, righteous, and gracious creator and re-creator of everything that exists. This morning we learn some of the most essential Christian beliefs about the first person of the Trinity, God the Father.

We Believe: God the Father (Psalm 111)

Chris Dunaway

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Resources:

SOAP Guide (pdf) (more SOAP guide formats on Documents page)

Statement of Faith draft (pdf)

Hymn: His Mercy is More (link)

We Believe: The Scriptures

There is more information available today than ever before.  And most of that is trying to make you act a certain way.  So how do you know what is true?  How do you know what information will actually help you in your life's purpose?  How do you know what your life's purpose even is?

This morning we remind ourselves why we trust the Bible as our highest authority, and we learn a simple way to study the Bible for ourselves, so we can learn from it directly.

We Believe: The Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:14–17)

Chris Dunaway

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You Reap What You Sow

It's common knowledge: you get out what you put in.  This fact is true in our work lives, in our schools, even in our relationships with what another.

It's also true of our spiritual lives.  This week, as we conclude our series in Galatians, we ask why Paul chose this simple reality to conclude such a powerful letter.

You Reap What You Sow

Chris Dunaway

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Source and Resources

Sometimes we get sources and resources confused.  Jesus teaches us in John 15 that he is the source of our life, not just a resource.

Our job as Christians is to remain centered in Christ—vitally connected to him.  Our very life depends on it.  

Source and Resources (John 15:1–11)

Jack Daniel

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