At first glance, Ecclesiastes appears to be in our Bibles only to turn its readers into cynics, skeptics, depressed individuals or perhaps some mix of all three). Can there be wisdom—and perhaps even joy—to be found in this odd (and oddly named) Old Testament book?
Taught by Brian Sorgenfrei & Les Newsom. Meets in the CPC sanctuary every Sunday at 9:45am.
At first glance, Ecclesiastes appears to be in our Bibles only to turn its readers into cynics, skeptics, depressed individuals or perhaps some mix of all three). Can there be wisdom—and perhaps even joy—to be found in this odd (and oddly named) Old Testament book?
Taught by Brian Sorgenfrei & Les Newsom. Meets in the CPC sanctuary every Sunday at 9:45am.
Scripture Reference: Matthew 1:1-6, 16-25
Every hero has an origin story! Matthew introduces us to this long anticipated hero by way of a genealogy and then a supernatural beginning involving a virgin pregnancy. These two avenues of introduction set the table for the kind of hero Jesus will be. He is going to be a hero that identifies with the broken and sinners and will save and heal everything that is wrong with the world.
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Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 15:1-26
The Scriptures claim that the bodily resurrection of Jesus is the lynchpin of all history and the Christian faith. The Apostle Paul says that without the resurrection, “our faith is in vain” and “we are of all people most to be pitied.” But if the resurrection happened, then forgiveness is a reality, life is stronger than death, and the trajectory of everything is changed.
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Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:5-13
If we are all by nature worshipers and living by faith, then it makes sense that the Apostles Creed begins with the being and nature of God, which is reality itself. The Creed invites us to place our faith in the one true God who exists in three persons. Therefore, “I believe in God the Father Almighty…” is inviting us into a relationship with God who is both strong and humble, near and transcendent, powerful and tender, just and merciful.
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