Intro: (1) series recap (2) ministering = serving (3) approaching church as a waiter (cf. dad retiring)Wisdom1. Wise listening (James 1:19): (1) “quick to hear” → obstacles of busyness, screens, disinterest, disagreement (2) “slow to speak” → tendencies to interrupt, jump to conclusions, offer advice, control, get attention (cf. Proverbs 10:19) (3) “slow to anger” → what makes you angry and why, a...  Read More

Intro: (1) series recap (2) specific words of togetherness for a common goal (cf. operating room)Comfort1. Sinful people (Isaiah 40:1-11): (1) Israel’s sin/exile → our failures, consequences (2) a key tocommunity is remembering we’re all battling sin (3) comforting words → God’s tenderness (1-2), God’s nearness (3-5), God’s trustworthiness (v.6-8) (4) sin, not struggles, our greatest burden (cf. l...  Read More

Intro: (1) series recap (2) book (3) outline overviewBeauty1. Spotting Beauty: (1) difficult to remember beauty (cf. grind, news) (2) “God’s goodness manifest to the senses” (Willard) → sunrise, flower, newborn, cookie, stream (3) beauty connected to remembering God as beautiful (Ps. 27:4) and creator/sustainer (cf. Luke 12:25-31, picture) (5) prayer → “help me experience your beauty”2. Speaking B...  Read More

Thanksgiving → expressing gratitude to God for his blessings and faithfulness● Psalm 118: (1) v.5-7 → hears/protects (2) v.13-14,18 → upholds when we’re stretched (3) v.20- 21 →has brought us near through sChrist (4) v.27-28 → tangible offering to the Lord● Rejoice: (1) v.1 → God’s love and gentleness, expressed through relationships (2) v.2 → God our shepherd (3) v.3 → remembering his past works ...  Read More

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. To listen to the sermon, click the link above.Intro: (1) series recap (2) comfort through guidance during something new (ice cream) (3) four aspectsThe Cloud1. Present guidance (9:15-17): (1) tabernacle connected to cloud/fire (cf. Ex. 13:20-22, 40:34-28) (2) v.16 emphasizes “always” → despite...  Read More

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. To listen to the sermon, click the link above.Intro (22-23): (1) recap (2) universal notion of blessing (cf. song) (3) Psalm 1, beatitudes (4) “state of well-being with God that belongs to those who have faith in Christ”A God of Blessing (24a): (1) tendency to look for temporal blessing (cf. J...  Read More