Cursed With Toil, Redeemed to Rest

Cursed With Toil, Redeemed to Rest

Text: Ecclesiastes 2:18-23 | Speaker: Jon Maust

Life in the Early Church

Text: Acts 2:42-47 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: What was life in the early church like? What did the early Christians do in worship? How did they care and provide for one another? There is an ongoing desire today to restore the church back to its original form. This is a good desire, and we should always seek to conform our churches to what Scripture teaches. In this passage, we get one of the first glimpses of what life in the church should look like. Specifically, the church must be devoted to the right things, determined to live the right way, and deferential in all things to God's perfect plan.

The Right Response to the Gospel

Text: Acts 2:37-41 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: After Peter finished his Pentecost sermon, the hearers were "cut to the heart" and asked what they must do to be saved. Through their question and Peter's answer, we learn what the proper response to the gospel message is—repentance and faith in Christ and baptism into his name. All this is the work of the Spirit in the lives of believers, fulfilling the gracious covenant promises of God to his people.

God’s Gift of Suffering

Text: 1 Peter 2:18-25 | Speaker: Carson Allen | Description: Peter is encouraging the diaspora in the midst of suffering by reminding them that as Christians we are called to suffer. Not only are we called to suffering but it is a Gift from God.

Lest We Drift Away

Text: Hebrews 2:1-4 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: The author of Hebrews begins his letter with a beautiful description of the supremacy of Christ over all things. He is the greater, once for all Prophet, who declares God's will to his people. He is the better messenger who speaks the better message of the gospel. But there's a danger for those who hear and respond to the gospel—drifting away from the faith. This danger is real for all Christians in every age. So, how can we avoid this great danger? By remembering, relying, and resting in the Word of God.