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Adam and Eve had the perfect job. God put them in charge of tending the Garden of Eden. They trimmed trees, picked the fruit, mowed the grass. They knew their job was a partnership with God. It was productive, necessary gratifying. Then one day Adam and Eve sinned and their work became a curse. But the number one curse of work is not machines that malfunction or weather that is unpredictable. The number one problem with work is people. We have to work alongside of sinful people every day. We work in the middle of a sinful world. Every day we rub shoulders with people who do not share our values. How do we prevent the standards of this world from influencing us? How do we maintain our witness at work? Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life— Philippians 2:14-16a ​

The key to so many areas of life is to maintain a proper balance. And nowhere is this equilibrium more difficult to maintain than in the balance between work and leisure. ​To have the proper tension between work and the rest of life is very difficult. How can a modern worker give the proper amount of attention to a career and at the same time not neglect family, church, and personal life. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, Exodus 20:8-10a

When something tragic comes to our life we naturally question, “What is the meaning of life? Does life make any sense? Is there anything that brings satisfaction and peace of mind?” We're beginning today a study of King Solomon, a man who experienced everything that this world has to offer. Solomon was the son of King David. So he had the resource and the opportunity to try everything in this world. ​He documented his pursuits in a journal of the Bible called, the book of Ecclesiastes. “I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. Ecclesiastes 1:12-13a ​Solomon summarizes that ultimate fulfillment is found a life totally devoted to God. ​Let's begin with his discovery that education is not wisdom. “I thought to myself, "Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge." Ecclesiastes 1:16

We live in a messed up and disturbed gender-bent world. It's a vast understatement to say that the traditional family and that Biblical marriages have come under severe attack today. Ephesians 5 beginning with verse 21, communicates God's expectation of Christian people in regard to marriage. If you don't believe that there is a God to whom you're accountable, then you are free to live as you please. Divorce, adultery, same-sex marriages are matters of opinion. But there's also no hope for eternity. Those who believe in God and respect the Bible as His Word have clear standards of appropriateness for marriage and the family. And this passage before us today is so important. Because there are many Christian young people who are just getting sucked into the philosophy of this age because it is very difficult to stand counter-culture. ​“For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:31, 33

​ Faith in God is tested in a number of ways: Adversity, prosperity, temptations of the flesh, temptations of pride. But one of the most difficult tests to pass comes when God seems unresponsive to our needs. Do we continue to trust God when His promises are not quickly fulfilled? Do we continue to obey God even when it doesn't seem to be paying off? Do we keep believing in God when He's silent for a long time? ​ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Love American style has been so romanticized. From the time we were little, we dream about someone who will melt our hearts and fulfill our fantasies. We are told that God has somebody out there who will be just the right one for us. and when we meet them, we will fall in love and it will be forever. The Bible indicates that God never intended marriage to be based on something as unpredictable, uncontrollable, and unstable as a loving feeling. There is love in marriage, but it bears very little resemblance to the Hollywood image or the romantic concept about which we fantasize. Let's look at the story of Isaac and Rebecca, to learn some very important truths about love in marriage. ​Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her, and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. Genesis 24:67

Not many of us would ever take a job without a thorough job description and an understanding of the chart of accountability. And yet, everyday people are going into marriage, the highest of all human relationships, without a very clear understanding of what the role is supposed to be. The model for Biblical marriage roles is compared to Christ Himself. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. Ephesians 5:25-27

Grief is a prolonged life-shaking sorrow after a loss. Sometimes grief is as evident as a tear. It is often camouflaged under surface conversation, constant activity, and phony smiles. But it is there even though it's often unseen. When C. S. Lewis's wife died, He wrote, “Her absence, like the sky—is spread over everything.” In John 11, there's a thrilling account of how Jesus Christ brought comfort and hope to the two sisters who were mourning the loss of their brother. This Bible story focuses on the grief of the loss of a loved one, and yet the principles apply to all kinds of grief. So, let's study this climactic miracle together and rediscover the hope that Mary and Martha experienced that day. Now for a little while, you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

Jesus Christ came to the earth to rescue those who were held hostage in sin. His salvation is open to everyone, but we must heed Christ's command to repent and believe the gospel. Otherwise, we will perish with the judgment meant for the enemy. Following Christ is an eternal life and death matter. Being a Christian is not just trying to be a better person or enhancing your personality (although that is a wonderful by-product). Being a Christian is giving total allegiance to Jesus Christ in all things. ​In Luke 21, Jesus gave a series of warnings to His disciples to prepare them for the dangerous period that was ahead. ​Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” Luke 21:5-6

​ Just hours before Jesus Christ died, He established a memorial that is endured for more than 2000 years. Jesus knew how short our memories are, so He founded a memorial we call communion to serve as a reminder of his death for us. And this is more important than any man-made monument. Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. John 6:53

Paul J. Meyer said, “Ninety percent of those who fail aren't actually defeated—they simply quit.” And one of the major problems of our Christian lives is that we quit sailing on. We're not accustomed to sticking with a commitment for very long. ​But the people who please God, are the people who tough it out regardless of the cost. And no one had more resolve than Jesus Christ. He was determined to do the will of God. It was the reason He left heaven and came to the earth. Jesus said, I came to give my life as a ransom for many. just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

​ If we want God to bless this church, we need to openly welcome people into our fellowship and let them know they matter to the Kingdom of God. In Luke 13, Jesus talked about His vision for the church. Jesus intended the church to be a foretaste of what the eternal Kingdom of God would be in heaven. It is to be a place where every individual is valued and loved. In Luke 13:18-35, There are 5 characteristics that the Lord wants in His church. when these qualities are present, they guarantee individual significance. ​ Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches.” Luke 13:18-19

Honest DoubtsLong before the days of “fake news”— a prominent television producer was quoted and would often would quip to his reporters, “There are some stories that are just too good to check out.” Is the gospel of Jesus Christ like that? Is the account of God becoming a man, dying for our sins, and raising from the dead really true? Or is it a fictitious story designed to inspire naïve people to give their money? Can the Bible story of Jesus withstand a thorough investigation? Or is it too good to check out? Maybe you felt guilty because you doubt it the Bible, so you just keep those questions to yourself. Because after all, Christians are supposed to be people of faith. It may surprise you to discover that John the Baptist experienced doubts about Jesus. John was the first one to identify Jesus as the Messiah. John was praised by Jesus as being the greatest man who ever lived. but near the end of his life, John experienced doubts. When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” Matthew 11:2