What do you do when life feels meaningless? Ecclesiastes describes the futility of living for things “under the sun”—pleasure, wealth, wisdom, even good works. They all fade like a vapor. But John’s Gospel shows us that meaning is not found in things but in a person: Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.

In this message, we explore:

• The universal struggle of futility – Scripture says all creation has been subjected to it. (Romans 8:20–21)

• The emptiness of living for earthly things – Solomon tried wealth, pleasure, wisdom, and ethics, yet found only vanity.

• The hope from above the sun – Christ, the Word of life and light, brings clarity and purpose into the darkness of futility.

• Made by, through, and for Him – Colossians 1 reveals that we were created in harmony with Christ, brought into existence through Him, and destined for Him.

• The difference between religion and encounter – Fulfillment is not found in systems of thought, even Christianity as an idea, but in encountering the living Christ Himself.

This sermon calls us to stop chasing fulfillment in all the wrong places and to find life in the One we were made for.

In this message, we trace the journey of God’s Word from scrolls on ancient pages to the living Spirit that shapes our lives today. Psalm 1 shows that delighting in the Word makes us like trees planted by rivers of water, while John 1 reveals that the Word is not only written or spoken, but embodied in Christ Himself. To encounter the Word is more than reading—it is moving from text to testimony, from information to transformation, vanity ends where Jesus begins. In Christ, futility becomes fulfillment as the Spirit takes what is written and breathes it into a life of fruitfulness and communion with Jesus.

Action steps / Takeaways

• Treat Scripture as a relationship, not just an instruction manual.

• Make space for meditation—linger on the Word until it shapes your soul.

• Recognize the difference between container Christianity (safe structures) and river Christianity (living growth).

• Prioritize the words of Jesus; let the Gospels anchor your time in the Word.

• Hunger for Christ Himself—Scripture leads us not just to information, but to encounter.

In this sermon on John 1:10–11, we explore how Christ’s presence is woven into the very fabric of the universe. The cosmos both reveals and conceals God’s glory, yet Christ actively reconciles creation to the Father. Our calling is to recognize Him, respond to Him, and live in harmony with His design.

Highlights / Key Takeaways

• The cosmos is Christ’s adornment: revealing His presence and character.

• Christ’s continual presence means the world is not alien to Him, but His own.

• Sin acts like malware disrupting God’s design, but Christ restores order.

• Failure to receive Christ comes from disinterest, not necessarily rejection.

• Believers are called to take initiative, receive Christ, and join His family.

Scripture Reference

Hebrews 12:14–17

This message explores the sobering contrast between Hebrews 11, which celebrates a life of faith, and Hebrews 12’s warning through the example of Esau. Where faith leads to reward, Esau’s choices led to regret—a life marked by conflict, compromise, bitterness, unchecked desires, and ultimately, irreversible loss. Pastor unpacks how unresolved conflict poisons relationships, how compromise erodes holiness, and how bitterness contaminates not only our hearts but everyone around us. Desire, left unchecked, can deceive us into selling what matters most for temporary satisfaction. Esau’s story reminds us that regret is not the same as repentance—and that some opportunities, once despised, may never return.

Hebrews 12 reminds us that chastening—the discipline of the Lord—is not punishment but purposeful pain. Every trial, problem, and challenge becomes a tool in God’s hand to form us into the likeness of Christ. While no discipline feels pleasant in the moment, it yields a harvest of righteousness in the lives of those who embrace it.

In this message, we learn:

• Chastening defined: not just correction, but God’s training—“purposeful pain.”

• Life with meaning: suffering isn’t random; it’s God’s way of making and shaping us.

• Comfort vs. growth: our culture’s obsession with comfort weakens us, but God’s pruning makes us strong.

• The “afterward” promise: discipline pays back what was lost and restores us.

• Union with Christ: through chastening, God forces inward growth and brings us closer to Himself.

• Encouragement in trials: today may be bitter, but in time, God reveals purpose and fruit from our suffering.

This message calls us to embrace discipline as a sign of God’s love and to strengthen our weak hands and feeble knees, walking forward with courage and faith.