Seven Wisdom Exercises for Our Graduates

It's Not Just A Little Thing

SPEAKER: Associate Pastor Wally Kocher Pastor Wally Kocher’s sermon, “It’s Not Just a Little Thing,” reminds us that what may seem small to us can be deeply meaningful in God's hands. Beginning with a humorous story about finding “Bigfoot” sitting at his office desk, Pastor Wally shows how a simple act of thoughtfulness can brighten someone’s day and remind them they are seen. From there, he points to Scripture to show that God notices what seems small: He is mindful of human beings in Psalm 8, He sees the sparrow in Matthew 10, He pursues the one lost sheep in Luke 15, and He receives acts of mercy toward “the least of these” in Matthew 25 as if they were done for Him.The sermon calls the church to pay attention to the people God places in front of them and to stop dismissing small acts of love, kindness, encouragement, and invitation as unimportant. Through stories such as the father who sacrificed his son to save another, Billy Graham being invited to a tent meeting, and Bruce Stuckey faithfully giving a young Russel Moldovan rides to church and youth group, Pastor Wally emphasizes that one unnoticed act can have eternal consequences. The message closes with the challenge to ask, “Who is the one God has placed in front of me?” and to remember that a word, a visit, a prayer, an invitation, or a simple kindness may not be “just a little thing” at all.

Parents Rising

SPEAKER: Pastor Russel Moldovan In this King’s Kids Sunday sermon, Pastor Russ Moldovan shares eight biblical strategies for raising children who love God, respect authority, and value what is right. Drawing on Arlene Pellicane’s book "Parents Rising!", he encourages parents and grandparents to “rise up” to the calling God has given them to lead their families in a culture that often works against Christian values. He reminds parents that constant amusement is not the highest priority, that boredom can actually help children grow in creativity and problem-solving, and that parents must lovingly take the lead in the home. Drawing on Exodus 20:12 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OTYeb7CjOE&t=1212s] and other biblical examples, he emphasizes that children need to learn to trust and obey, even when they do not fully understand every reason behind a parent’s instruction.Pastor Russ also highlights the importance of routines, boundaries, daily Bible reading and prayer, a Christ-centered marriage, family meals, and intentional time spent with children. He explains that children need more than entertainment, possessions, or activities; they need spiritual nourishment, loving structure, and the steady presence of parents and grandparents who are investing in their hearts. The sermon concludes with the reminder that Christian parenting is not simply about raising “good kids,” but about raising godly young men and women who know Christ, think biblically, serve faithfully, and are prepared to stand for Jesus in a challenging world. Ultimately, parents are not merely raising children to succeed in this life, but preparing them to walk with Christ into eternity.

Only Two Things Last Forever

SPEAKER: Pastor Russel Moldovan In this sermon, Pastor Russel Moldovan introduces the book of Ecclesiastes as part of the church’s chronological Bible reading plan and explains its place within Hebrew Wisdom Literature. He highlights the repeated theme of “havel,” often translated as vanity, meaning that life under the sun is like a vapor—brief, temporary, and unable to provide lasting meaning apart from God. Ecclesiastes teaches three major realities: God is the Creator and giver of all good things, God’s ways are often mysterious and beyond our full understanding, and death is the great equalizer that comes to both the wise and the foolish, the rich and the poor, the young and the old.Pastor Russel then points to the final message of Ecclesiastes: because life is brief, death is certain, and much of life remains a mystery, we are called to fear God, obey His commands, and live in light of the day we will stand before Him. He emphasizes that only two things last forever—God and people—so we should stop giving so much attention to temporary worries and earthly possessions and instead focus on relationships, sharing Jesus, and being ready to meet Christ. The sermon closes with a gospel invitation, reminding listeners that judgment is coming, tomorrow is not promised, and every person needs to know Jesus as Savior and Lord.

8 Reasons We Cannot Afford to Neglect God's Word

SPEAKER: Pastor Russel Moldovan Pastor Russel Moldovan’s sermon, “8 Reasons We Cannot Afford to Neglect God’s Word,” begins by helping the congregation understand where they are in their 2026 chronological reading of Scripture. He explains that the Old Testament is arranged in our Bibles by category—history, poetry/wisdom, and prophets—but that reading it chronologically helps us see how the books fit into the flow of God’s story. From there, he introduces the Psalms as prayers, poems, and hymns gathered over many generations, with Psalm 119 standing as the longest chapter in the Bible and one of the great “Psalms of the Law.” For Christians, he explains, the principles about God’s Law in Psalm 119 can be applied to the whole Bible, because all Scripture is God-breathed and useful for shaping God’s people. The heart of the sermon gives eight reasons believers cannot afford to neglect God’s Word. According to Psalm 119, Scripture leads us to peace in a painful world, protects us from sin, anchors us in truth amid a sea of lies, disciples and shapes our worldview, teaches us why and how to worship, offers wise counsel, reveals the nature and character of God, and ultimately introduces us to Jesus Christ, the Living Word. Pastor Russel emphasizes that the Bible is not merely another source of information; it is God’s truth, nourishment, guidance, and revelation. The sermon concludes by pointing to Jesus as the bread of life, whose body and blood were given for our salvation, reminding the congregation that the written Word points us to the Living Word, who gives eternal life to all who receive Him by faith.

Seven Wisdom Exercises for Our Graduates

SPEAKER: Pastor Russel Moldovan Pastor Russel Moldovan’s Graduation Sunday sermon, “Seven Wisdom Exercises for Our Graduates,” is built around Solomon’s request for wisdom in 1 Kings 3:3–13. Pastor Russel explains that Solomon’s unique mark as king was not merely knowledge, but wisdom—knowing how to apply God’s truth rightly. From there, he offers seven pieces of biblical wisdom for graduates, but also for the whole church: trust in Jesus Christ, recognize the spiritual war behind the world’s conflicts, take every thought captive, travel through life with the church and not alone, understand that life’s greatest moments come through sacrifice and giving, marry someone who shares allegiance to Jesus, and embrace a Christ-like attitude. The sermon especially reminds graduates that life is not simply about choosing a career, gaining success, or following their own hearts, but about walking with Christ in every decision. Pastor Russel points them to Jesus as the way of salvation, the One who forgives and removes the debt of sin. He also warns that our thoughts, relationships, attitudes, and choices all matter because they either move us toward “Team Jesus” or away from Him. In the end, the message calls graduates—and all believers—to live with wisdom, humility, service, accountability, and joy, trusting that a life built on Christ is the only life that truly leads in the right direction.