The Word at Shalom

July 31, 2022, Wisdom Lit 3: ”The Gift of Insignificance”

Ecclesiastes can seem like a downer of a book, declaring that everything we are and do is "thin vapor". But there are important lessons to take from this minority report of the wisdom books. Pastor David preaches "The Gift of Insignificance" based on Ecclesiastes 1:1-11; 3:1-17.

July 24, 2022, Pentecost 7, Wisdom Literature 2: ”Quotidian Wisdom”

Most days, God doesn't speak from mountaintops or burning bushes. Most days, God doesn't part the sea or turn water into wine. Instead, it seems many of us are struggling just to keep our heads above water each day. So where is God's word for us on those days? How do we live in trust and hope amid the fears of ordinary life? Pastor David preaches "Quotidian Wisdom", based on Proverbs 8:1-11, 22-36. This is the second of a four-week series on the Wisdom Literature of the Bible. 

July 17, 2022, Pentecost 6: ”The Good Life”

When we say that someone is living the good life, we usually mean that person has every material thing they could possibly want. But the Book of Proverbs has another image of the good life that doesn't depend on material things. What does that kind of life look like? How can we live more fully integrated, whole lives? Pastor David preaches "The Good Life", based on Proverbs 1:1-7; 3:1-8, the first of a four week series on the Bible's Wisdom Literature.

July 10, 2022, Pentecost 5: ”Hearts of Shalom”

As we bring our four-week series on the Ten Commandments to a close, we spend a whole week on Commandments Nine and Ten, which forbid us from desiring to take what belongs to our neighbor. But why should God be so concerned about our thoughts, covetous though they may be? If our actions are right, then what do our thoughts matter? Come explore how our thoughts impact our relationships, as Pastor David preaches, "Hearts of Shalom", based on Exodus 20:17.

July 3, 2022, Pentecost 4: ”For the Neighbor”

The apostle Paul is clear. It is impossible to be justified in God's sight by doing the works of the law (Rom. 3:28). Even if we were to follow the law, we would come to the horrible truth that Paul understood: that sin uses God's good law for its own purposes (Rom. 5:8-12). Paul came to the understanding, then, that Jesus died to liberate us from the curse of the law, which we could never fulfill (Gal. 3:13-14). So, if Christ has liberated us from the curse of the law, what is its purpose now? Why bother with the law at all? Why not just preach grace? Pastor David preaches "For the Neighbor" based on Exodus 20:12-16.

June 26, 2022, Pentecost 3 (Ten Commandments 2): ”The Christian Atheist”.

In the Roman Empire, Christians were sometimes persecuted for being atheists. They refused to honor the traditional gods or take part in their ceremonies, to their own social detriment. How can Christians recover a robust, healthy atheism when it comes to all other gods but the one God? And how is the First Commandment liberating in that regard? Pastor David preaches "The Christian Atheist", based on Exodus 20:1-11. This is the second in a four-week series on the Ten Commandments. 

June 19, 2022, Pentecost 2: ”Chosen”, Ten Commandments 1

Freedom was a new experience for the Israelites. After 400 years of enslavement, it was difficult to conceive life any other way. However, on the mountain, God gives the people a vision of how a free people lives. Why does God choose Israel as God's "special possession" and charge them with a new way of life? What does this mean for us today, we who are grafted into Israel through Jesus Christ? Pastor David preaches "Chosen" based on Exodus 19:1-6; 20:1-2. This is the first in a four-week series on the Ten Commandments.

June 12, 2022, Pentecost 1: ”Be Part of the Miracle”

June 5, 2022, Pentecost: ”Leaving Cynicism”

In a time when misinformation and disinformation is everywhere, it's easy to become cynical. It's easy to lose faith, not just in leaders or institutions, but also in God. However, the Pentecost story shows us that cynicism is nothing new. Even when presented with a dramatic sign of the Holy Spirit's presence, some dismissed it out of hand. How does Peter address the crowd's cynicism? And what can we learn from the events of Pentecost today? Pastor David preaches, "Leaving Cynicism", based on Acts 2:1-24. 

 

May 29, 2022, Easter 7: ”Attitude Adjustment”

The church at Philippi had been faithful, seeing to Paul's needs while he was imprisoned. However, a dispute had arisen between two leading ladies of the church, leading to a potential rupture. How does Paul address the dispute? And what takeaway is there for how Christians can address conflict today? Pastor David preaches "Attitude Adjustment" based on Philippians 2:1-13.