Ecclesiastes 1-4 has revealed that human beings cannot find ultimate fulfilment or solve life's issues on their own. Immediately after pointing out several evidences that the world is broken, the Teacher turns in chapter 5 to address how we should approach God.Dr. Jerry Barber

At the end of Ecclesiastes 3, the Teacher spoke with strong emotion about injustices he saw in his world. Chapter 4 continues that theme by adding more observations about things that are difficult in a broken world.Dr. Jerry Barber

So far in Ecclesiastes the Teacher has described his quest for fulfillment through specific life experiences, and now he turns to reflect more broadly on how to make sense of the dilemma described in verses 9-11: "bound by time but wired for eternity."Dr. Jerry Barber

The Teacher reflected on wisdom earlier in the book (1:12-18) and now returns to that topic, adding something very important to the equation: the "trump card" of death.Dr. Jerry Barber

In Ecclesiastes 1:12-18, we saw the Teacher begin his search for what is good, for what satisfies under the sun, with wisdom. Now his search continues as he turns his attention to pleasure and work.Corey Mode

Dr. Jerry Barber

After the opening prologue to the book by the narrator (1:11), this passage begins a very long section (1:12-12:17) consisting of a monologue by the Teacher.Dr. Jerry Barber

Today's sermon begins a new series, Ecclesiastes: Living with the End in Mind. Today's message is based on Ecclesiastes 1:1-11.Dr. Jerry Barber

Jesus and the disciples have just crossed the Sea of Galilee where Jesus calmed the sea (Mark 4). When they arrive on the other shore, in the region of the Gerasenes, they are greeted by a demon possessed man.Corey Mode

Today we celebrate the culmination of our annual Vacation Bible School with a special service. Senior Pastor Jerry Barber will be sharing a message from Psalm 90 titled, God's Honest Truth.Dr. Jerry Barber

This parable is framed by the Second Coming, as Jesus leads into it after teaching on his return in Luke 17 and concludes it by asking whether he will discover faith when he returns.Dr. Jerry Barber

Today's sermon given by Senior Pastor Jerry Barber continues the series, Stories for Life: Finding Wisdom in Jesus' Parables with a message on The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus from Luke 16:19-31.Dr. Jerry Barber

Today's sermon given by Senior Pastor Jerry Barber continues the series, Stories for Life: Finding Wisdom in Jesus' Parables with a message on The Parables of the Lost Sheep, Coin, & Son from Luke 15:1-32.Dr. Jerry Barber

One of the most difficult of Jesus' parables to grasp comes in Luke 16, where He told his disciples a story about a shrewd money manager.Dr. Jerry Barber

In Luke 12, Jesus was teaching his disciples about the importance of fearing God when a man interrupted him to request that he arbitrate a personal financial matter. Jesus responded by issuing a stern warning and telling a powerful story.Dr. Jerry Barber

Shortly after the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke's Gospel, Jesus uses another parable about a neighbor to teach his disciples how to pray.Corey Mode

The immediately preceding passage, Luke 10:1-24, was about Jesus sending 72 out to do mission in the world, while this one is about "another kind of sending"—i.e., how to love and meet needs as we are sent out into daily life.Dr. Jerry Barber

The immediately preceding parable that opened Matthew 25 stressed always being ready for the return of Christ, while this one emphasizes what believers are to do right now to be ready for that return and final judgment. veryDr. Jerry Barber

In the previous chapter (24), Jesus stated that since nobody knows the timing of the return of the Son of Man, his followers should watch and do what the master wants even if there is a long delay. Matthew 25 opens with a parable that gives a graphic picture of that.Dr. Jerry Barber

In Matthew 19, Peter asked Jesus a question about rewards for those who had sacrificed for him. Jesus then discussed rewards and noted that the values of God's kingdom are opposite those of the world, which leads right into this parable in Matthew 20.Dr. Jerry Barber

Jesus began teaching through parables in Matthew 13 by sitting in a boat so the crowds could hear him. As we look at his final parable in this chapter, Jesus closes with a fitting parable of fishermen sorting fish on the shore.Corey Mode

Jesus used these two short parables to continue shedding light on the nature of the kingdom of God.Dr. Jerry Barber

On the same day as he taught the parable of the sower, Jesus taught the crowd about the kingdom of heaven with the first of his parables that began "the kingdom of heaven is like..."Corey Mode

Right on the heels of the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders in Matthew 12, Jesus told a story that explains why there are different responses to his message.Dr. Jerry Barber

After Jesus Christ had been put to death and buried, his followers were crushed, and Luke 24 gives us one of several accounts of his resurrection.Dr. Jerry Barber

On Palm Sunday, the humble King with great authority entered Jerusalem with actions and words that revealed who he is and what he values.Dr. Jerry Barber

After Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, Peter and some of the disciples had gone fishing, and Jesus appeared to them to reveal more of himself to them and reinstate Peter.Dr. Jerry Barber

Today's Sermon continues the series, Head Values, Heart Values: Learning to value what Jesus values. Today's message given by Senior Pastor Jerry Barber is based on John 15:9-17 and is titled, "The Value of Biblical Community."Dr. Jerry Barber

After telling the readers of Jesus' temptation, Matthew introduces Jesus' public ministry with a summary of the message of his preaching and teaching (v. 17), the call of his first disciples, and a summary of his ministry to the crowds (v. 23-25).Corey Mode

Setting: On his way back to Galilee, Jesus went through Samaria and encountered a woman at Jacob's well (1-6).Dr. Jerry Barber

After Jesus was announced publicly to be the Son of God at his baptism, but before his public ministry began, he was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted.Dr. Jerry Barber

In this section, the Apostle Paul wraps up his letter to the Colossians by giving some commands about prayer and mission and sending final greetings to the church.Dr. Jerry Barber

After urging believers to live with an eternal perspective and naming attitudes every Christian should exhibit, Paul now shows how those values play out in Christian households and relationships.Dr. Jerry Barber

Week 6—Colossians 4:2-18—Pray that believers (specifically, our church) will be devoted to prayer.Dr. Jerry Barber

Paul teaches the Colossians, and all believers, to live focused on eternal matters. He gives us instructions on how to live as those who have been made alive in Christ.Corey Mode

Week 5—Colossians 3:18-4:1—Pray that believers will please God by the way they relate to their families and to others.Dr. Jerry Barber

After expressing his desire to the Colossians to have a complete understanding of Jesus Christ in the immediately preceding verses, Paul elaborates in this passage on what spiritual fullness involves.Dr. Jerry Barber

Week 4—Colossians 3:1-17—Pray that believers will set their priorities on eternal matters and allow the life of Christ to flow through every area—and do it togetherDr. Jerry Barber

Week 3—Colossians 2:6-23—Pray that believers will continue to live their lives closely connected to Christ rather than trying to fulfill human rules.Dr. Jerry Barber

After mentioning in 1:23 that he was a servant of the gospel, Paul now expands on his work of evangelism and disciplemaking (aka spiritual formation) in this passage.Dr. Jerry Barber

Paul opens his letter to the believers at Colossae by greeting them and telling them exactly how he and Timothy pray for them.Dr. Jerry Barber

Week 2—Colossians 1:24-2:5—Pray that believers will share the riches and glory of Christ with others, warning them and working through God's power to help mature them in their faith.Dr. Jerry Barber

Listen in as Pastor Jerry talks with Carol Garrott and Amy Granata about our annual 24-Hour Prayer Vigil.Dr. Jerry Barber

40 Days of Prayer 2024 introductory sermon from Colossians1:15-23 which contains the primary theme of Colossians, the supremacy of Christ.Dr. Jerry Barber

Colossians 1:1-14—Praying that believers will live worthy and God-pleasing lives.Dr. Jerry Barber

This chapter introduces the final section of Hebrews while also transitioning from 12:28 to answer the question, "What is acceptable worship or service in God's eyes."Dr. Jerry Barber

After reminding Christians of the amazing ways we can now approach God in the new covenant era (12:22-24), this passage shows us appropriate ways to respond to Him.Dr. Jerry Barber

In between the call to holiness (14-17) and the final warning of the epistle (25-29) sits this passage that reminds God's people of how we can approach God.Dr. Jerry Barber

Hebrews 12:4-11 explained the benefits of God's discipline in the lives of believers, and this passage follows by giving practical ways to respond.Dr. Jerry Barber

After pointing to Jesus as an example who endured through suffering, the author transitions from persecution to the benefits of God's discipline in the lives of believers.Dr. Jerry Barber